I have a Brother who suffers from Schizophrenia and alcohol addiction. We are so tired and frustrated with the Criminal Justice system that we feel hopeless.
2007-01-10 04:14:57 · 7 answers · asked by Red 76 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I noticed that I made reference to Criminal Justice without really explaining myself. I am just so frustrated because this is all so new to us. He was diagnosed two years ago and of those two years he has spent a year and a half in and out of jail. Sometimes they force the meds, sometimes not. Its hard. I think Im looking for support. When do I know when to let go?
2007-01-10 04:40:12 · update #1
not a sibling, but I have a grandmother and aunt who are both bi-polar...and those two are siblings.
2007-01-10 04:22:25 · answer #1 · answered by Richard H 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My father suffered from schizophrenia and was also an alcoholic and a nephew is schizophrenic as well....so I know how frustrated you must be. I'm not sure the connection is to the Criminal Justice System but I do know it is very difficult getting people good, continual mental health care. Especially if they're young and/or no insurance ...
My sister sometimes spent her entire DAYS on the phone trying to get care, insurance to cover certain things, etc. It's actually pretty sad how little people care, how little resources there are etc. A lot of these people are kicked to the curb like so much garbage. . . .
Many blessings to you and your family. Hang in there.
2007-01-10 04:24:15 · answer #2 · answered by Freedspirit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, I am the mentally ill sibling in the family. I have had my bouts and run ins with the law, I have had my share of hospitalizations, and I have taken my trips on and off the meds. I don't want to tell you that there is ever a time to give up on your brother, because if my sister, who is the closest person in the world to me, had given up on me, I wouldn't be doing as well as I am now. Currently I am 24 years old, I have been diagnosed since I was 17. I will be getting married in the spring of 2008. While I don't work or go to school, and currently don't have plans of starting a family soon, my family is the support system I need to keep myself on my medications and stay out of the hospital and stay out of jail. They are what keeps me tied down and try to keep myself in check. If I didn't have a support system like I have, I don't know what would have happened to me these past 7 years. Just please don't give up on him. It will take time. Try to find him a good doctor, one that will monitor his medications instead of jumping him around and one that will send him through rehab for the alcohol, because you can't take these meds safely if you drink alcohol. There are a lot of things you do in a manic state that can wind you up in jail that you may not even remember when you come down. I myself went on shopping sprees and wrote bad checks and charged up credit cards and drove recklessly, and even stole a car once. It happens sometimes. And while I'm not using the disorder as an excuse, because I am an adult and I do know right from wrong, I'm just trying to explain to you how he may tend to do more things that are uncommon for him when he is in a manic or depressed state. I wish you and your family the best of luck, and I know you will need it, because I know personally that I have put my family through hell.
2007-01-10 10:40:45 · answer #3 · answered by stacijo531 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a hard one cause know I don't have any family members that are mentally ill, and if I were to have someone that close to me like that all I could do is pray, for me I take everything to God in prayer, I don't know if or where you are spiritually, but I do know that God is in the healing business, and faith moves God like a strong wind blows trees, God can work miracles if you can pray and have faith in what you believe, ask God to touch his mind in your prayer, ask him to remove that Schizophrenia and Alcoholic spirit from your brothers mind I don't want to get to deep with you and scare you, but pray with great strength, boldness and belief, and God can turn your brother into a walking miracle, do you believe that? You believe what the doctors tell you, you believe what you see, you're frustrated and hopeless when all others have failed what can it hurt to give God a try? God can perform miracles that man can never explain, all you can remember is your brother was diagnosed to be...and that God stepped in he is not on any sort of medication, he is know longer Schizophrenia or Alcoholic he is just as normal as you or me, and how do you explain this...My God! Its worth a try ain't nothing else working.
2007-01-10 04:56:36 · answer #4 · answered by yahoo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't have a sibling, but my best friend has bi-polar 2 disorder. she is on lots of meds to help control her moods. one time she decided to stop taking her meds cold turkey. she got so upset with everyone who didn't agree with her....she even told her counselour that i said that her mom would rather have me as a daughter...and that her brother and sister think of me as a better sister. i just learned to not say anything about it to her cuz i knew that it was the meds she stopped taking. there are good days and bad days, and we must learn to deal with them. try some family therapy sessions. that way you all can talk about what is bothering you. don't let a little illness bring the whole family down. hope this helps...good luck!
2007-01-10 04:21:46 · answer #5 · answered by Sarah 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes you have to let go. Support him when you can. As for running back and forth to court and jail. Stop doing it.
My cousin is mentally ill. She has done it all. We keep track of where she is homeless, jail etc. That's it. Not much you can do about it. Except stress yourself out worrying about them.
2007-01-10 04:29:48 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, just mentally ill family. In-laws are liberals.
2007-01-10 04:18:49 · answer #7 · answered by Business Owner 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋