Understanding Schizophrenia.......

**many houseapes** · 02-06-2011, 12:21 AM

Originally Posted by shoiji

Definately go with him to be able to speak with the doctor or therapist he is seeing. Why. Even with all their good intentions there are some real quacks out there. So if your son says his doctor or therapist suggested this and you think it is odd or not something your son would benefit from don't be afraid to ask the doctor or therapist about it. Like all professions, just because they have a degree does not make them great at their job.

absolutely true. My son has signed papers so that I can talk to his doctors & they can speak to me freely about what is going on. I am thankful that I took him to MhMR for help where the is a team of different specialists that are there to treat the whole person...hopefully, he will be able to land a job with some progress.

**mauimagic** · 02-06-2011, 12:23 AM

He is so lucky that you are his mom!!

**many houseapes** · 02-06-2011, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

It's good to hear from you MH - a big sigh of relief. As you already know it's a process and it sounds as if you are definitely off to a good start.

Does the time he takes his meds make a difference to his sleep patterns?

I give them to him about 11-12 at night and he falls asleep soon after (except last night w/ the laptop distraction).

**many houseapes** · 02-06-2011, 12:39 AM

Originally Posted by mauimagic

He is so lucky that you are his mom!!

Thank you so much...I really needed to hear that.....often I feel as if I've missed the mark.

**erinalexmom** · 02-06-2011, 07:25 AM

You canNOT! repeat canNOT blame yourself for this! I can say as a person with mental health problems that it is not your fault. Nothing you said or did or didnt say or didnt do caused this. It is a disease. You wouldnt feel guilty if your son had cancer would you? It is an illness too. Its so sad that our society in the past made everyone around the person feel as if they have failed. I am sure you are a great mom. That you are accepting of your son and seeking the help he needs shows that

**Daisygirl** · 02-06-2011, 09:59 AM

I'm so glad to hear from you!

Sometimes meds can cause "mania" which will cause the patient to work feverishly into the night on a project in an almost obsessive way. Many people with mental illnesses are very creative - artists, writers, philosophers, etc., and produce amazinng work during these times. The difficulty is in seperating the mania and the mental health.

I would not take his laptop away. I would have a talk with him and make a plan together. Regular sleep patterns are a very important part of recovery.

For example:
~ a time to get up and a responsibility immediately after (feeding the household pets)
~ a set time to turn off the computer and something soothing to do after that time (like watching some brainless tv show or reading a book or listening to soothing music)
~ a set time to go to bed - try some herbal teas that are supposed to help you relax ( I like a mix of passsionflower, chamomile and peppermint - delicious and soothing). If that doesn't work, he may require medication to help him get into a regular sleep pattern.

I'm glad you have been able to learn a lot about this. With your son being an adult, I'm sure it is a fine line to tread, keeping him following routines while not making him feel like a child. He is so blessed to have you as a mother.

Finally, if the meds continue to make him exhibit signs of mania and an inability to sleep after another week or so, the doctor needs to be contacted and a change of meds may be in order.

You and yours are in my prayers.

**Rhiamon** · 02-06-2011, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Daisygirl

I'm so glad to hear from you!

Sometimes meds can cause "mania" which will cause the patient to work feverishly into the night on a project in an almost obsessive way. Many people with mental illnesses are very creative - artists, writers, philosophers, etc., and produce amazinng work during these times. The difficulty is in seperating the mania and the mental health.

I would not take his laptop away. I would have a talk with him and make a plan together. Regular sleep patterns are a very important part of recovery.

For example:
~ a time to get up and a responsibility immediately after (feeding the household pets)
~ a set time to turn off the computer and something soothing to do after that time (like watching some brainless tv show or reading a book or listening to soothing music)
~ a set time to go to bed - try some herbal teas that are supposed to help you relax ( I like a mix of passsionflower, chamomile and peppermint - delicious and soothing). If that doesn't work, he may require medication to help him get into a regular sleep pattern.

I'm glad you have been able to learn a lot about this. With your son being an adult, I'm sure it is a fine line to tread, keeping him following routines while not making him feel like a child. He is so blessed to have you as a mother.

Finally, if the meds continue to make him exhibit signs of mania and an inability to sleep after another week or so, the doctor needs to be contacted and a change of meds may be in order.

You and yours are in my prayers.

I agree with this.
I think if someone tried to take away my art supplies I would go more nuts. What about instead of a computer pencil and paper to sketch at night? Computers cause alot of stimulation. But I also know that when you are on a creative kick so to speak it is real hard to shut it off. I do know to that not being able to sleep is so hard for me some nights I am lucky to get more then two hours, and just lying there and trying to sleep and thinking that you should be asleep is a terrible cycle. So if he can't sleep something quit he could do in his room I think would be helpful.