Schizophrenia sucks. The good news is that your friend is getting some
help. With meds, it can be controlled. The bad news is that keeping
someone with schizophrenia on meds is pretty hard, cause the meds make
them feel better, so they go off the meds. It's a vicious cycle.
I was living with a guy about 10 years ago. One day I came home from
work and he told me that god had made him telepathic, that there were
demons in the mirror, that the cat was talking to him, he was a
prophet, etc. etc. In Wisconsin, it's nearly impossible to get someone
committed. I took him to the mental health center, but they couldn't
compel him to take meds. So, I watched him deteriorate over the next
month or so - trying to help him as much as I could - trying to
convince him to get help.
One night that he told me, "I just have to kill someone - I'd feel a
whole lot better if I could just kill someone. Maybe that security
guard at the burned out building down the street - he pisses me off -
just standing there guarding a hole in the ground all night. I could
kill him." After talking him down from this, and convincing him to go
to bed, he laid down on the floor next to the bed. I asked him why. He
said, "The devil says if I sleep with you I'd have to kill you. So,
I'm going to sleep down here."
The next morning I got up like normal, pretended to go to work, went
to a friend's house and called the cops. The law in Wisconsin is that
you can't commit someone unless they're a danger to themselves or
others. I told the cops what he'd said and everything that had gone
on for the past month. Get this - they called him and told him that
if he didn't go to the mental health center on his own, that they'd
come and get him. So, he walked to the mental health center, told them
he was fine and I was the one that was crazy, they bought it and he
left. (He was dangerously smart, as well as psychotic.)
I kicked him out of the apartment. Eventually he moved back with his
folks. Years later he called and told me that he really doesn't
remember most of what went on.
Apparently, it's very common for pscyhotic illnesses to come on
quickly, like you're describing. Particularly, if there's been any
other kind of emotional event - death, job loss, moving, marriage,
etc.
While your friend might not be very lucid right now, I'm sure there is
still a part of him that will appreciate you standing by him. Try not
to take anything he says personally. Psychotics often lash out against
those they love.
Whew, this has gotten really long. Sorry. Hang in there.
[Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings] [Donations and Support]
