I just started dating a guy and he recently told me that he has schizophrenia. He is 24 and he seems like a really nice guy. We have a lot in common but I have a two year old son and now I don't know what to do. He told me that he's on medication and he is going to take it for the rest of his life. Can somebody please tell me what I should do? Should I start a relationship with him or should I just be friends with him? As long as he's on the medication, will everything be fine?
2007-01-01 16:51:37 · 26 answers · asked by PoisonGirl 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
My oldest brother is schizophrenic, diagnosed in his early 20's as well (I was only 11 at the time). For many years I knew he had a terrible time, and was often very self-destructive (he never hurt anyone but himself). Several years ago he began a new drug therapy, and the change is remarkable. He's gentle and more outgoing than he ever was since he was first hospitalized.
I'm sorry I don't know the name of the drugs he's on, but I'm very glad he's in my life.
Please consider at least being your guy's friend. If he's like my brother, he may be very trusting and far too generous with people that will take advantage of him.
Take some extra time to get to really know him before letting him meet your son. Take as much time as you need.
Talk to his family, they'll know if he's good about taking his meds, and they'll know the signs when he's not. You'll feel better if you know you can tell when 'off his meds' quickly.
Routine is very important to these people, so keep that in mind if you're naturally the 'very spontaneous' type.
As long as he's on the medication, my brother is fine.
2007-01-01 17:38:12 · answer #1 · answered by Mona H 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Schizophrenia And Relationships
2016-11-07 22:37:45 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Can you have a relationship with a person who has schizophrenia?
I just started dating a guy and he recently told me that he has schizophrenia. He is 24 and he seems like a really nice guy. We have a lot in common but I have a two year old son and now I don't know what to do. He told me that he's on medication and he is going to take it for the rest of...
2015-08-13 16:25:04 · answer #3 · answered by Bari 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are treading on very shaky ground here. Schizophrenia is an extremely serious condition that has significant repercussions. Should your friend ever decide to stop taking his medications for any reason you may be in for a very hard ride. Even if he takes them religiously, you may still be in for a hard ride. Schizophrenia is one of the most difficult mental illnesses to treat. It can be done but you need to learn a lot more about it before you dive into this relationship. Some suggestions are the web sites listed below.
2007-01-01 17:00:29 · answer #4 · answered by Gina 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It has the potential to be VERY trying even if you remain just friends. If he relapses, it can be very emotional and possibly even dangerous depending on his condition and diagnosis. Is "paranoid" part of the diagnosis. He could be fine forever on his medication. He might not even need it someday. You can never know for sure. Like many things in life, there are no guarantees.
Also, schizophrenia is NOT Multiple Personality Disorder as some of the postered seem to think. Very different in fact.
2007-01-01 17:12:30 · answer #5 · answered by poorsias 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Find out if you can go to the doctors with him when he goes the next time. Be honest with him and let him know your concerns. I am sure he would understand if you mention how much you want to have the relationship but you also have to look out for the interest of your child. You could ask his doctor of family members of his past history. Does he have flare ups even when taking medications? What are the anticidents that might lead up to any issues? What should you be keeping watch for that may give signs of episodes happening?
I have worked with a few people with schizophrenia and some of them are as normal as anyone. But they have had events in the past to be diagnosed so the history is there. Find out what his history is and go from there.
Good Luck to you.
2007-01-01 16:58:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
Yes.
For a while I considered saying "You can have several." But, I decided that just propagates a lot of untrue assumptions and doesn't really help you any.
This is a big deal. You're talking about someone with a very serious condition that you're going to have to deal with for the duration.
That said, he's just a guy. And, as long as he stays on his medication, and has access to care if he needs it, you can have a fine life together. If it lasts, you'll want to learn everything you can about his condition, to understand and deal changes you may see before he does. There will almost certainly be setbacks. Until you have a relatively high level of confidence that he's stable, you may want to be a little careful with the two-year old...but that would be nearly as true with any new man. (Lots of people in America have serious mental illnesses and are a lot less forthcoming about their conditions, or don't realize it themselves.)
2007-01-01 16:52:51 · answer #7 · answered by David G 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Will be a downhill struggle for you
Schizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder—the most chronic and disabling of the severe mental illnesses. The first signs of schizophrenia, which typically emerge in young people in their teens or twenties, are confusing and often shocking to families and friends. Hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, unusual speech or behavior, and social withdrawal impair the ability to interact with others. Most people with schizophrenia suffer chronically or episodically throughout their lives, losing opportunities for careers and relationships.1 They often are stigmatized by lack of public understanding about the disease. However, several new antipsychotic medications developed within the last decade, which have fewer side effects than the older medications, in combination with psychosocial interventions have improved the outlook for many people with schizophrenia
2007-01-01 16:56:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Do some research on the disease and have your friend be as honest with you as possible. Don't give up on him...but since you just started seeing him, there's no reason for your son to meet him yet.
By the way, schizophrenia IS NOT split personality!
2007-01-01 16:54:14 · answer #9 · answered by Moxie Crimefighter 6 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I would say no simply because you have a child. Dealing with people with a mental illness can be really difficult, and sometimes dangerous if their not taking their medications. Right now your son is at an impressionable age, and you don't want your son to be around him when he has a psychotic episode. Anti- psychotic drugs don't "cure" the person of schizophrnia, and can't totally prevent someone from having another psychotic episode. I would just be friends with him now, and maybe do your research on the disease and see if it's worth putting yourself and your son through this. I hope i helped
2007-01-01 17:08:28 · answer #10 · answered by abkb8476 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋