Born Schizophrenic: The journey continues

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story always rang really big red flags for me. They seem overly invested in their child having a really rare condition.

I had this impression from the book, which was written by the father; I thought the book was fiction until the very end (found it in an airplane seat pocket and read it during a night flight). I kept wondering why the parents made the choices they did when confronted with various behavior issues and situations in the book. They REALLY wanted the diagnosis, and were repeatedly told that their kid was not schizophrenic. Her symptoms were not definitive at all. The parents seemed very, very odd to me. I was rather shocked when I realized the book was not fiction at all.

Not surprising really though, given the condition of the kids, right?

[Anonymous]

I remember this whole story being fishy, once you dug a little. Like, the dad had a record of physical abuse against the wife, and one of the parents had been in a mental hospital, and they both clearly had Munchausen-by-Proxy -- some crazy shit like that.

[Anonymous]

Saw the episode yesterday and I believe it's like an annual update on the family. Here are the spoilers:

1. Jani is in high school and is much better and likes hanging out with actual human friends, although she still has her imaginary ones.
2. Bohdi is severely autistic but doctors can't diagnose schizophrenia or psychosis because he's not vocal enough. He's must more violet and inflict a lot of bodily damage to himself
3. The parents are divorced and the dad tries to see them every once in a while (really looks like an ass for bailing).
4. Jani has since matured and is doing some heavy-lifting in bringing up Bohdi in lieu of his absent father.

Just by taking the documentary on its face value and without doing research, it does sound like a compelling story. But as with all families, I'm sure there's more to it.

[Anonymous]

I remember seeing the show years ago when it seemed that Janney was improving but there was no diagnosis for the little boy. What a total ass of a dad to not only leave but to move halfway across the country. Didn't they live in CA?

[Anonymous]

I remember seeing this on Oprah years ago. Glad Jani is doing well; hope the same for Bodhi. I felt so sorry for the Mom.

I'm sure these illnesses took a huge toll on the parents marriage but still surprised the dad moved to another state.

[Anonymous]

I don't think they ever wanted to admit that Jani was autistic but now her dad does say that she is autistic and that Bhodi also has autism. That wouldn't get them publicity like a tv show or book deal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This story always rang really big red flags for me. They seem overly invested in their child having a really rare condition.

Schizophrenia is not "really rare." Not the most common psychiatric disease, but it's not like some of the genetic disorders that only 100 people in the world have. That's really rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story always rang really big red flags for me. They seem overly invested in their child having a really rare condition.

Schizophrenia is not "really rare." Not the most common psychiatric disease, but it's not like some of the genetic disorders that only 100 people in the world have. That's really rare.

Not the PP, but childhood schizophrenia is rare, especially at the age at which Jani was diagnosed. Schizophrenia as a whole? Not rare, I agree.

[Anonymous]

I read the father's book and saw a few documentaries on the family. The parents have some serious issues. The kids may or may not have issues but they were so focused on the media attention and insisting on the fact that Jani was a genius that the point was lost. I believe the husband cheated and they tried to work it out but were living separately to protect the boy and I guess it all fell apart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember this whole story being fishy, once you dug a little. Like, the dad had a record of physical abuse against the wife, and one of the parents had been in a mental hospital, and they both clearly had Munchausen-by-Proxy -- some crazy shit like that.

Whoa. Thats interesting- that makes it much more fishy yes! I want to hear more

[Anonymous]

I went to the mom's facebook pgae. She's putting a lot of her personal busuiness out there and her posts are public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This story always rang really big red flags for me. They seem overly invested in their child having a really rare condition.

Schizophrenia is not "really rare." Not the most common psychiatric disease, but it's not like some of the genetic disorders that only 100 people in the world have. That's really rare.

Childhood Schizophrenia is very rare. Maybe not 100 people but the numbers are low.

[Anonymous]

Huge red flags. Parents love the limelight and I am sure have speaking / writing / movie aspirations. Putting a camera up close to a kid having a melt down is not a good thing. Continually questioning a kid and then putting thoughts in their head.

They wanted their kids to be seen in the worst light possible. Also often voiding and reinforcing negative attitudes about medical system, meds etc to their kids.

i agree it is almost Munchausen by Proxy - and two parents who supported each other in their unhealthy attitudes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to the mom's facebook pgae. She's putting a lot of her personal busuiness out there and her posts are public.

I'm the person that posted this and I agree this is very strange. I had never heard of this story until this thread so I googled which led me to the mothers facebook page. Just from scrolling her page I know her ex did not pay spousal or child support. He was served with garnishment papers a few weeks ago and is pissed which is why he is spreading lies about her, things like she's impossible to co-parent with. She he owes her thousands in back support. She said she barely talks to him, he lives with his girlfriend, who doesent work, in a 2 bed room apartment in MN while she lives in CA. Her new boyfriend does everything for them and has taken the place of the ex as the provider father figure to the kids. Oh and she has a new book coming out soon.

Deal lord, those poor kids.

[Anonymous]

^^ Oh according to her she refers to her ex as "A-hole," to the kids.