This is a serious question My husband has Paranoid Schizophrenia?

Question

My husband sleeps sometimes 15 hours a day. I know he is schizophrnic and he faithfully takes his zyprexa every day. But he sleeps so much and I am worried. Is this normal should I encourage him to tell his doctor. I miss him if you know what I mean. I too suffer from a mental illness but I am doing fairly well and make myself get up and find something productive to do any suggestions to help hubby

Answer 1

As far as his sleeping go's, I believe it is normal for one who is just starting out on the drug,this effect wains over time. He needs to get on a schedule with help from you to the point he adheres to it himself.
On the flip side, this may be an adverse effect if he has been on these for awhile. The dosage might be too high and needs to either be lowered or discontinued and changed. In either case you and he must see his doctor. Vocalize your concerns.
I do not know of the particulars/circumstances of his illness or what it is that he fears. Otherwise can offer some real help.
If he smokes pot,he will need to stop. certain chemicals inherent in that drug magnify paranoia. Do get His mind occupied with something other than what he is dwelling on. perceptions vary among doctors and to me it sounds like a obsessive/compulsive disorder/depression(my thoughts). I also would like you to take him to a second evaluation with a more prominent position in the discipline on psychiatry.

Answer 2

I think sleeping a lot is just a part of the schizophrenia, actually any schizo-disorders. I am schizoaffective and I sleep when I get home from school (about 4) until about 7 or 8 that night, and go to bed around 11 and wake up at 7. Even without meds I sleep a lot. I hope you can get this figured out.

Answer 3

Zyprexa can cause drowsiness.

You both should probably discuss this with your (his actually) treating doctor.

There are some things you could do:

- give the zyprexa earlier in the evening (eg at 5pm instead of at 8pm) maybe he'll wake up earlier
- make sure there is plenty of bright light when he wakes up (throw open the curtains and give him a great big dose of sunlight)
- encourage more activity during the morning and wind down towards the evening

Answer 4

Oh bless your heart. My mother is mentally ill and now lives with me. My brother was schizophrenic. He died 2 1/2 years ago. He slept a lot. It may be a side effect of the medication. Yes I would encourage him to ask his doctor. But they have to take their medication. My brother's made him slur his speech, so does my mothers. I have lived with mentally ill people all my life. Luckily I scraped through. I have anxiety attacks every once in a while but nothing major. Just spend the time he is awake to the fullest and be thankful if the medication is working properly. Nothing worked very well on my brother.

Answer 5

Hi Nana, I am sorry about yuor situation. Yes you should talkl to the doctor, although both mood stabilizers and anti-psychotics have sedation effects, you should call the doctor because your husband may be over-medicated and can use a dose that could be less sedating. Another thing to consider is if he is depressed, in hich case a doctor's visit is definitely recommended. Good luck with all of it.

Answer 6

Drowsiness is one of the common side effects of Zyprexa. Have him talk to the doctor. It may come down to weighing the pros and cons---sleepy and controlled symptoms or awake and not controlled symptoms?

Answer 7

Do things together that he can look forward to. Take a walk, talk about days gone by, sing, anything you can share.

Answer 8

Encourage him to be honest with his Doctor. If he won't then you need to be.

Answer 9

If he doesn't go to his doctor, ask him yourself. Maybe his medication is making him sleepy.

Answer 10

redflag! 15hrs a day?you need medication if you let him sleep that much.its unhealthy!