I have a step daughter, that I would have to say is not taking her meds on a continual basis. She's 42yrs old, and can be caught talking to herself in strange voices. When we make ourselves present she stops immediately, and will start coloring in a book. My problem is I work 3rd shift, and I worry about what these voices could be saying to her while I'm away at work. I have smaller children here in the house as well. She is capable of living on her own, but just recently invited herself back to my home, possibly waiting for her check so she can move back to the hotel and rooming house. I hate to be rude and just put her out without notice, but she has a mother in Detroit in which she can go live with, and has a sister in Illinois. I offered to buy her ticket, but she chose to live in a hotel for 30 days. She refuse to go live with closer family members because she'll be back on her meds. So am I allowing a dangerous individual in my home?
2007-01-01 05:06:17 · 10 answers · asked by mamaghost2001 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
You've gotten some really good answers -- people with schizophrenia generally aren't violent, and the best predictor of violence is past violent behavior. I don't know how old your other kids are, but it may be overwhelming for them to have her there when there's no other adult in the home.
Schizophrenia is a very painful, debilitating condition. You might be able to be of more help to her in the long run, though, if you get some additional help for her. The community mental health centers are supposed to help the chronically mentally ill, and a good case manager might be able to get her involved and even eventually get her back on her medication.
Below is a link to a book on schizophrenia by E. Fuller Torrey, a psychiatrist whose sister is schizophrenic, and who is very knowledgeable but controversial on this topic.
2007-01-01 05:52:40 · answer #1 · answered by rcpeabody1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't quite bring myself to call her dangerous when she goes to a coloring book-but I'd not be able to trust the little voices thing much either. I believe you are right in your concern for children, but she desperately needs to stay on medication. If she is ever to recover, even partially its going to happen when she's on medication. I can understand the medicine makes her tired, but somewhere down the line she needs to trust the medicine more than the little voices. That won't happen if you allow it to go unchecked. That's just my take, I'm not standing where you are, or know much about it.
2007-01-01 05:23:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, don't listen to people like "O" above me here. If she were sick with say, cancer, would you stigmatize and treat her how you said "O"? I think not. If she has never been prone to violence then you are most likely safe. But you need to get her back on her meds, whatever it takes. Call her doctor and let him know whats going on and he could perhaps offer better suggestions than the ones you are getting on Yahoo! Answers.
Also, make sure that your children are aware of any dangers, that is, if there really are any.
2007-01-01 05:17:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
it really all depends on the intesnity of her condition. have you ever seen her be violent in any way or speaking anrgy? if so it might be safer to not have your children around, if not just tell your kids about what might happen and the possibnle situations they might find themselves in. tell them what kind of precautions they should take and who to call if things get out of hand, you should also have a room that is easily accesible and has a lock on the door just in case. but remember that your step daughter also feels and if she feels threatened in some way she may act unrationaly so dont take small out bursts too seriously but make note of them for future reference if it will ever be needed
2007-01-01 05:13:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-10-06 07:13:22 · answer #5 · answered by kroner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, they can be dangerous certainly, especially if they're prone to episodes when not on their medicine. I mean, I certainly wouldn't be comfortable with leaving kids alone with an unmedicated schizophrenic, but that's just myself. If she wants to stay in your house, you should tell her she has to be on her medicine and that's that. Not all schizophrenics are dangerous of course...just depends.
2007-01-01 05:10:48 · answer #6 · answered by sgrjackson1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really depends. Most people with schizophrenia aren't violent, but some are.
Would it be possible to say that if she wants to stay in your home that she has to be taking her medication?
2007-01-01 06:28:29 · answer #7 · answered by jdphd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I asked me, myself and I. Its unanimous YES. Change the locks, train the kids not to let her in, commit her, do something to limit contact as much as possible. I would personally put a trap in the front yard. I'm be sarcastic of course but I would be scared for my children.
2007-01-01 05:11:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
If she has not been dangerous in the past then its unlikely that she will be dangerous now.
2007-01-01 05:09:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Actually sounds like an addiction problem, so no do not enable her by offering her a home."
"No it is not - shut up!"
" I think she's bi-polar!"
"no she's not"
"yes she is"
oh forget it...
2007-01-01 05:32:13 · answer #10 · answered by Road 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋