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[quote=Anonymous]I think what a lot of posters are missing is that this is an adult with mental illness that the family is supporting. The Availability and financial possibility of residential treatment means nothing (and it sounds as though finances may be tight) if the person with the mental illness is not willing to seek treatment,

Clients/patients/individuals with mental illness are notoriously non complaint with treatment, and entry into residential programs is no different. Many people who would benefit from residential treatment never agree to go because of the stigma attached with "being committed" and "being crazy"

Look at the pejorative comments in half the threads on DCUM- if someone has a differing opinion, or whatever, they get gas lighted ad "crazy". Now, imagine actually being Crazy, and the stigma attached to that. It doesn't matter that you need help, want help, etc. The label is the punishment, and we need to stop punishing people for being sick.

Aside from that, most people don't realize that the side effects of most psychoactive/ psychiatric drugs are terrible. Imagine going from a state where you feel wonderful and alive, to feeling like someone else is pouring the cream when you make your coffee in the morning. Weight gain, sexual side effects, feeling numb.. All very common effects. It's easy to say "well at least you're not sick", but the mind of someone in a manic state, or depressive state, or any state doesn't always equate to the hell of the meds improving the hell off the illness.

I know, many people will cite chemo therapy here. Yep - you puke your guts out, etc. For the course you're on. But there is a light at the end of the tunnel. And people respect, understand and support your pain. There's runs and media attention to celebrate your pain,  You don't get that when you're "crazy". You do it alone. Most psychiatric clients are being told they have to take these meds that make them feel awful FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. Everyone tells them that feeling awful forever is better than them making others feel awful. They feel guilty for their illness and guilty for not wanting to try to get better, but the getting better in the head means feeling worse physically.  it doesn't feel like much of a trade off.

Sadly, the story that the OP is describing plays out in many homes every day. Not much can be done until we can change the face of what mental illness is to society at large. Brother can't be helped because there is no way to help him in a system designed to ignore what he needs. There's a high change he would end up homeless or dead if his family turns their back on him (sounds cruel, but that's the reality), but they have to turn their backs on everything else to help him. If he had a different illness, we'd be praising them, having fundraisers and doing whatever we could to make sure he got the treatment he needs. Instead they have to choose between not caring enough for one of their kids. Sad. 
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