You know my parents have been working with people like that my whole life. If I haven't been around them, I've heard about them (both kids they dealt with in multiple schools or private patients). It makes me sad -- the only reason I didn't go into it professionally myself is that I realised I couldn't handle it emotionally since I'm not good enough at putting up barriers.
My cousin's case was (and still is) heart breaking because her family never dealt with the wherefores and whys - as far as they are concerned, it was a temporary set back like having a cold and once she was on meds the first time, it was all better, right? My mom and I have been able to accurately predict when she would have another break (either through stopping her medication or situations getting so stressful for her that all the meds in the world couldn't stop it). The last time was a year ago right before her brother got married and since he and his wife are expecting a baby in July, another one will be coming soon.
I can't be around her for long not because of lack of empathy but because it hurts so much. She's 2 years my junior, we grew up together and I remember her before the illness set in. Plus my parents spent several years trying to get her help and more than just a fly-by-night psychiatrist who threw pills at her and her family (esp. her mom) undid and sabatoged everything in terms of recovery and continue to do so. Knowing that she could be better than she is or given more sympathy/understanding by her own parents and brother makes me sad.
But yes, in terms of pathology -- it was fascinating to see her when she was in a full-blown schizophrenic state. That's why I can say it's not bi-polar in her case (it was literally textbook symptoms/behaviour). I'm just glad she wasn't violent -- she had been a few other times she had breaks and she's lucky she didn't hurt anyone. My heart goes out to her but there's only so much anyone can do. My heart goes out to you having to deal with all of this right now (trolls be damned -- I know you!).
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Re:
Date: 2003-04-28 10:23 am (UTC)My cousin's case was (and still is) heart breaking because her family never dealt with the wherefores and whys - as far as they are concerned, it was a temporary set back like having a cold and once she was on meds the first time, it was all better, right? My mom and I have been able to accurately predict when she would have another break (either through stopping her medication or situations getting so stressful for her that all the meds in the world couldn't stop it). The last time was a year ago right before her brother got married and since he and his wife are expecting a baby in July, another one will be coming soon.
I can't be around her for long not because of lack of empathy but because it hurts so much. She's 2 years my junior, we grew up together and I remember her before the illness set in. Plus my parents spent several years trying to get her help and more than just a fly-by-night psychiatrist who threw pills at her and her family (esp. her mom) undid and sabatoged everything in terms of recovery and continue to do so. Knowing that she could be better than she is or given more sympathy/understanding by her own parents and brother makes me sad.
But yes, in terms of pathology -- it was fascinating to see her when she was in a full-blown schizophrenic state. That's why I can say it's not bi-polar in her case (it was literally textbook symptoms/behaviour). I'm just glad she wasn't violent -- she had been a few other times she had breaks and she's lucky she didn't hurt anyone. My heart goes out to her but there's only so much anyone can do. My heart goes out to you having to deal with all of this right now (trolls be damned -- I know you!).