Do You Know Someone With A Mental Illness?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
January 30, 2010 6:05pm CST
My Uncle Joe was diagnosed as a Paranoid Schizophrenic roundabout the year 2000 I would say. Up until that time he was in a bad way; he would not open his door to ANYBODY, whether they were relatives or not. He lived with his parents as he was the only sibling never to have married. When they died he was on his own in a Council house. He got it into his head that he "owned" the house, therefore he didn't pay the rent. Anything that came through his letterbox he chose to ignore. Eventually he was evicted. It took only 20 minutes for him to be "turfed out" of the home he had lived in virtually all his life. He was on his way to my Mum's but ended up walking into the nearby hospital complaining of "chest pains." It turned out he'd had a heart attack due to all the stress and a little pump was placed in his chest to help his heart function a bit better.
Mum went to see him in hospital and was shocked by how he was behaving and - reluctantly, asked medical staff if he could be "looked at." They agreed as he was abusive and difficult, very un-Joe-like.
Anyway, to cut a long story short (and a difficult time for everyone as he was trying different medications) he is now in a place called Acorn Lodge. He did have problems with his digestive functions late last year but he is on drugs for that as well now...and Mum goes to see him regularly.
It is such a relief that he is "safe" and we all love him so much. He is "family" after all and we would never abandon him to his fate...not now...not when he needs us. The one thing that he has retained is his sense of humour. We are so pleased about this because Joe is a very funny man without realising it. He is observant, he can remember stuff from YEARS ago but, most of all, he is now a gentle soul who expresses himself through drawings. If you saw the state of his house (he wrecked it) to how he is now, he is a changed man.
And it's all down to my Mum. If it wasn't for her he'd be God-knows-where...and probably dead to be honest.
Do you know anyone with a mental illness? How does it affect them and the rest of the family? I would love it if we could share our experiences.
3 people like this
7 responses
@machivado (528)
• Indonesia
31 Jan 10
I have two friends who have brothers with autism. I've once met them, and really, you can tell that they're not normal in only first impression. I feel sorry for their families, they really tried their best to accept them and if they always find a way to make their children normal even if for a bit.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Jan 10
Autism is amazing in my view. Many people have certan gifts like brilliant memories or they can paint from memory, that kind of thing. They can be difficult to live with but are also rewarding in many ways, I would think.
@sandipanbhuiya (134)
• India
31 Jan 10
Yes I know a person with a mental illness. She is my near and dear one. She is my lover. As we all know that there are many kind of mental illness and her mental illness is that she unnecessarily suspects me along with everybody without any reason. She is having regular appointment with a well known doc in our city. I hope that in future she will be all right.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Jan 10
At least you are sticking by her my friend and you are to be commended for that. Good luck to you both.
Good luck to you both.
@WATARIKENJI (1534)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
Hi friend
I am glad that Uncle Joe is safe and sound now. What he had gone through was tough for him and you as his family. It is a blessing that your mother was there during those trying times. If not for her your uncle might end up in the streets or worst than that.
I had an aunt with a mental disorder also. She was my mother's cousin. She had the disorder since birth. She was an underdeveloped child and her brain was affected by that. She lived with our grandparents. In spite of her disorder, she managed to take care of us kids. I can remember then that she was very loving. She would comb our hair, and caress us but at times act like one of us.
We treated her like a normal person but always having in mind her disorder so a lot of patience is needed.
Regards
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Jan 10
That is so sweet how you treated you aunt...in a sensitive, compassionate way, I like that. Yes, Joe is safe now and really is the cutest guy. Funny too. He reckons he's the "sanest bloke in the place." He's probably right lol.
@Cutie18f (9551)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
There are a lot of people who are afflicted by this ailment. Some of them had become worse because their family did not help them. YOu can see some of them roaming the streets, very dirty, and almost half naked. When you see these people you often wonder where their families are. Why are they abandoned just like that? It is really a pity to look at people with mental illness because there seems to be no one who are looking after them.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Jan 10
Yes, if Uncle Joe hadn't had the support of his sister I have no doubt that - in his confused state, something horrible would have happened to him. I always think that someone, somewhere cares for everybody but some are so "lost" that others cannot find them. I'd like to think they are not just being totally heartless in not helping...some - unfortunately, do not want to be helped.
@lincolntruth (17)
• United States
31 Jan 10
I have a friend that had undiagnosed hydrocephalus for many years. Because of this, he acts similarly to the character Dory from Finding Nemo. He can remember who I am, but asks me if HE had fun during the day. He isn't stupid, just can't remember anything.
I am sorry to hear this happened to someone so close. I have also started being paranoid, I hope I don't end up like that (It's scary to be so sure of yourself, and then realize how crazy you are acting). He may know how crazy he is, he just can't stop it because of his condition.
@adkinsinc (3)
• United States
31 Jan 10
I have a Uncle that is Paranoid Schizophrenic, he always thinks people are out to get him, he believes that the goverment spy's on everyone through the T.V. set, so he will not allow any in his house. His son and his daughter have been admitted and diagnosed with the illness, so it makes you wonder how it is passed down. It is a very scary disorder, and I pray that as I get older, i don't get that way myself.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Jan 10
It's best not to think about it. I know it's difficult but that's how I would deal with it, anyway. Joe did not really have girlfriends so we know he has no siblings anywhere.
@Java09 (3075)
• United States
31 Jan 10
I have a mental disorder.I don't feel ashamed because I was diagnosed with bipolar,but you can live a normal life.I'm waiting for an appointment for medication.I was also diagnosed with panick attack disorder and depression.I have an appointment to talk to someone,but it isn't til April.
I have known someone who was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenic and he would just have out bursts all of a sudden and he was dangerous.He would threaten to kill people.He's now in a mental ward for it.The guy was my mother's boyfriend's brother.He had bad problems.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
31 Jan 10
You are right, there's nothing to be ashamed of my friend. I'm certainly not ashamed of Uncle Joe. He never threatened to kill anybody but he was in "self-destruct" mode, drinking heavily, thinking many people were against him (even people who were there to help) but once the medication was sorted out, he is now lucid and is no longer a danger to - mainly, himself. I wish you well with your next appointment, I'm sure everything will be OK.
