What can you do when there is nothing left to do? Why can't we get help?

Question

I'm 21. My little brother and I are 10 months apart. When he was 15 he changed and then we found out that he was schizophrenic. He started hearing voices, basically he went crazy and has never been the same. It's sad and it breaks my heart. He started being violent sometimes and he turns to drugs to make himself feel better (when really it makes him worse) He can't be social with people because he is scared of people. He always thinks that someone is going to hurt him. He sits in his room all day and never does anything. It's horrible. He can't work, he can't drive, he can't spell, he can't read. He is on medicine for all of this... and the medicine helps calm him down and not have episodes. But it does not make him all better. He is still on my parents insurance, but he wont be forever. What can we do to get help? Is there disability? Some kind of program? What if my parents die and I can't afford to take care of him? Is there a program that can help me pay for medicine?

I just want my little brother back. This is something that my family will have to live with forever. Does anyone know anyone who might be able to make this a little eaiser for us and for him?

Answer 1

In the US You need to apply for Social Security Benefits. There are Mental Health Advocates if he can not work to help in the process of application. Go to http://www.ssa.gov/onlineservices/#apply
download the online forms and fill them out. That will start the process. You can also call: 1-800-772-1213.

There is every reason he should be receiving a benefit and medicaid. If he has a case manager or psychiatrist at a local Mental Health Organization they can help get the paperwork done also. It may take some time but, in the case of schizophrenia it's basically a no brainer for getting benefits.

Answer 2

This is a very very tough disease to deal with. I and my family are dealing with it too. At one time, we had to have him admitted. It was very hard to have done. Either he had to be threatening to harm him or us, or behaving in a way which was a danger to himself in order for anyone to take him to the hospital. He too is on medicine now to stabalize him. He is now doing better than he ever has since he started the medicine about 2 years ago. But , he will never ever be the boy everyone knew, or the man that he was supposed to turn into. His sister is also very upset that she lost her brother. All we can do is hope that science comes up with a cure, or at least a way to stop the progression of the disease. I do know that much has been discovered recently regarding studies in autism, and schizophrenia, and how the brain is affected. And who knows, with the stem cell research going on something might be able to be done someday. Regarding the disability, in my state (ny) there is ssi., (disibility) . They are paying for his stay in a half-way home right now. He does well in this type of environment because its structured, and routine. They tell him its time to shower, and take his medicine. And for him, this is the best environment . If he lived alone, he wouldn't take his medicine, sending him back into another episode. So there are those options. You may have to go thru numerous hospital stays, possibly even dealing with law enforcement. In NY there is a mental health hygiene law , where a person who is a danger to himself or others can be picked up by law enforcement and taken to a hospital. I hope you have that in your state, because without it , we still wouldn't know where to turn. Call your local mental health agency. See if they can answer some of your concerns. They should be able to guide you to some type of assistance.
So...don't give up hope, and all I can say is to enjoy your brother on the days when he is doing good. And try and be strong on the days he isn't. Just let him know that you love him.

Answer 3

I work in mental health, through not in the area of schizophrenia. I'm hoping I can help you and your family get plugged into some resources. I am sure by now that you have read just about everything you can get your hands onto about schizophrenia and what it is. There is disagreement in the mental healthcare system as to how to best treat those with schizophrenia.

Yes, there may very well be disability available for your brother, especially because his low level of functioning may not allow him to complete an education or hold a job. Check with your state to find out if he qualifies.

Your city (or the closest large city) may have day treatment (sometimes called outpatient treatment centers) and/or residential facilities, where occupants are given social living skills and the higher functioning people learn skills that allow them to work in the community but basically are shielded from the social and financial stressors they would face outside the facility.

It sounds like your brother is on an anti-psychotic medication to prevent episodes that would land him in the hospital (expensive and more crisis oriented). It is very important that he have regular doctor appointments to regulate his medication and compliance. A residential facility could be very helpful with this. If there isn't a residential facility, at the very least, he should have a case manager.

Although it can sound disheartening, I am an advocate of residential facilities and day treatment centers for schizophrenia, primarily because as a family, you don't have the resources to care for him alone. If you try to do it alone for too long, you may begin to feel exhausted and ill yourself, sick with worry, sleepless, neglecting your own needs. One out of four schizophrenics attempt suicide; one of every ten succeed. I'm not try to scare you, but I am giving you statistics to help you and your family with informed choice. A facility has trained individuals who are not only providing suicide watch but also an environment of safety, appropriate stimulation and activity, medical care, support groups, and when appropriate, job-training and social skills training. For your brother, it could mean the difference in giving him a track to run on and some hope that he can learn to manage life with schizophrenia without turning to illicit drugs (which may increase his paranoia and hallucinations). These places are not institutions; he would not be kept against his will. But he would be safe, clean and sober, medicated, and surrounded with trained professionals and volunteers. Depending on the state you live in, your parent's health insurance may cover a significant portion of his residential facility costs.

I hope this helps. Though you feel helpless watching your brother sitting in his room alone, your two main roles are this: care for yourself first (you won't be any good to him if you are falling apart yourself), and love him the best that you know how.

Answer 4

I myself am a psychotherapist in California. I have a few patients with the same disorder as your brother has. I suggest taking him to a therapist and they can prescribe him the help he needs, as I cannot without talking to your brother. What you need to worry about now is getting his illness cured to the best it can be. Don't worry about the money etc. until it is necessary. Insurance can help pay for the medicine prescribed, if any. I hope I helped. PLEASE ask any questions you have on my 360 (I have posted a link) because I fear you may get the wrong advice from some answerers.

Answer 5

that theory is the only ingredient that runs with the aid of my techniques on a daily foundation and that i've got burned out all motives to come back up and combat returned, so now all I unquestionably have left is to dig myself better down in to this void i'm consumed in....i spend maximum of my days self destructing.

Answer 6

Out of my own morbid curiousity, I wonder sometimes if what we call schizophrenics are actually posessed by demons. I know this sounds weird, but it's still only a theory. You might want to try to take him to an exorcist and just see what happens.
Next idea would be to take him to a hypnotherapist and start finding out about those voices yourself. Who are they and what are they saying to him, anyway? Hypno-therapy may at least help you know what is going on, and may help him conquer the demons inside of him.
Weird ideas, I know, but if drugs are not working...