Neighbor is unmediated schizophrenic; anything to do?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many people here do not realize how difficult it is to get appropriate treatment for a mentally ill family member.

As others have pointed out, even if a person is determined to be a danger to himself or others, they are hospitalized only briefly. Psychiatrists in this area are hard to get into and are essentially private pay. Add to that the issue that the particular illness may not be amenable to medication but may need specialized therapy that is not widely available.

That leaves very expensive private pay inpatient options, most of which have limited or no insurance coverage. We are looking into that now for our family member, but the financial implications are considerable.

Yes, we keep the person at home and battle the medication out with him. For those not in this situation, be grateful we don't put him on the streets. If there is anything the world doesn't need it is one more mentally ill homeless person.

+1 Thank you for your heartfelt post. I understand.

[Anonymous]

I cannot recall the name but I am sure someone on this thread remembers the story of the Virginia senator (state, I think?) whose psychotic son seriously injured him and then took his own life a few years back. I bring it up because it is the perfect illustration of how even if you have a dedicated parent actively seeking help for a mentally ill child who is willing to get treatment, and even if that parent has ample financial resources and is more politically powerful than 99% of the population, it can still be impossible to get a bed while in a mental health crisis. Beyond that any of us who have any experience with the system know that even IF you get a bed, treatment falls far short. I once involuntarily committed a guy to the state mental hospital two days after his family cut him down from a tree and resuscitated him after he had hung himself. Our hearing was in the morning, he arrived at the state hospital a few hours later and I got a fax noticing me of his release from the state hospital four days later. I stirred the pot all the way up the food chain but could not get them to keep him longer - they put him on psych meds that take weeks to take effect and sent him home to the Rez where aftercare resources were practically nonexistent - but he had a plan! for what he could do if the resources existed. I don’t blame the hospitals - they are overrun and understaffed and simply don’t have the resources to provide the appropriate care. The only people who stay long term are the ones on forensic orders - the ‘criminally insane’ who have committed serious crimes of violence.

Does everyone see the disconnect? Of course you do. But not in the voting booth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I cannot recall the name but I am sure someone on this thread remembers the story of the Virginia senator (state, I think?) whose psychotic son seriously injured him and then took his own life a few years back. I bring it up because it is the perfect illustration of how even if you have a dedicated parent actively seeking help for a mentally ill child who is willing to get treatment, and even if that parent has ample financial resources and is more politically powerful than 99% of the population, it can still be impossible to get a bed while in a mental health crisis. Beyond that any of us who have any experience with the system know that even IF you get a bed, treatment falls far short. I once involuntarily committed a guy to the state mental hospital two days after his family cut him down from a tree and resuscitated him after he had hung himself. Our hearing was in the morning, he arrived at the state hospital a few hours later and I got a fax noticing me of his release from the state hospital four days later. I stirred the pot all the way up the food chain but could not get them to keep him longer - they put him on psych meds that take weeks to take effect and sent him home to the Rez where aftercare resources were practically nonexistent - but he had a plan! for what he could do if the resources existed. I don’t blame the hospitals - they are overrun and understaffed and simply don’t have the resources to provide the appropriate care. The only people who stay long term are the ones on forensic orders - the ‘criminally insane’ who have committed serious crimes of violence.

Does everyone see the disconnect? Of course you do. But not in the voting booth.

Former candidate for Governor: Creigh Deeds.

[Anonymous]

We have a young adult in our neighborhood who exhibits some odd behaviors and, having worked in a mental hospital, I’d guess schizophrenia. None of the behaviors are harmful. Checking around, I found some neighbors who said he has family keeping tabs on him.

Odd behaviors are not a risk to the community. It’s ok to live and let live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many people here do not realize how difficult it is to get appropriate treatment for a mentally ill family member.

As others have pointed out, even if a person is determined to be a danger to himself or others, they are hospitalized only briefly. Psychiatrists in this area are hard to get into and are essentially private pay. Add to that the issue that the particular illness may not be amenable to medication but may need specialized therapy that is not widely available.

That leaves very expensive private pay inpatient options, most of which have limited or no insurance coverage. We are looking into that now for our family member, but the financial implications are considerable.

Yes, we keep the person at home and battle the medication out with him. For those not in this situation, be grateful we don't put him on the streets. If there is anything the world doesn't need it is one more mentally ill homeless person.

+2. From someone else who actually gets it, this is spot on

[Anonymous]

Mentally ill people are no more likely to be violent than non-mentally ill people are (unless they are also using substances). It’s the drugs and alcohol that make things dangerous, and, yes, a person with mental illness who is high or drunk is statistically more likely to be violent than a high or drunk person without mental illness.

[Anonymous]

Haven't read all the threads. I think the issue is the noise right now. Has anyone gently approached the parents? I would do it in the kindest way possible and be highly empathetic. Just explain why the noise is an issue (e.g. working from home) and see what thoughts they have. Given them a chance to be collaborative in working out this situation. On the other hand, if he just needs to go outside and scream and few days for say 4 minutes, let it go. Blast some music until it's over.

[Anonymous]

I just posted, but wanted to add I lived next to someone schizophrenic in an apartment building when i was in my late 20s. The neighbors told me simply so I would know the contact info of the social worker if I had concerns my neighbor was declining/in need of more help. She held down a part time job and had poor social boundaries, but because I had researched more about her illness I was able to be friendly and polite, but not have firm boundaries so she didn't make me uncomfortable. The social worker checked in on her often and there was another person who introduced herself who made sure she was handling daily living skills like cleaning her place. (I have to admit, I was afraid for this person to see my apartment since I can be a slob).

I was nervous about it all, but it worked out fine because she was properly medicated and had great supports in place. I think I did have to call the SW once due to some screaming.

I say all this because it would be in your best interest to be as kind as possible to the family in the hopes they might share what supports are in place and how they might be able to improve the situation.

On a different note, both my parents had/have dementia. My father allowed me POA and access to medical info so I could make sure he was properly medicated and did not upset neighbors. Mom is paranoid and had me blocked and my sibling who was estranged from her is allowed access. My hands are totally tied when neighbors complain, but before she blocked me I got a social worker involved so I just pass along info to her. I fear for her neighbors because she was pretty explosive with me until I had to protect my kids and stop visiting.

[Anonymous]

Hi OP!

Any updates to this situation?

Was he able to be helped?