h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Deeply saddened that this topic has been up for discussion for some time and yet no-one has taken it up. Sadly I have two close family members who suffer from schizophrenia. I have cared for one for nearly thrity years. A nicer, kinder, more amusing person would be difficult to find - but he spends most of his time living in his his happy past and only remembering the good things of his life. The other member of my family is sad, boring and totally self centered, this is what makes the illness so difficult to deal with and understand. Support groups for both the sufferer and the carer are an answer and I would be happy to help in any way I can. could I also suggest to the powers that be that the National Schizophrenia Fellowship in London are an organization that was formed in the early 70's by parents of a young man who was at University and who developed schizophrenia and they had no-one to turn to. They have wonderful contacts and information packs. The Association for the Pastoral Care of the Mentally ill is also a very good organization which was also started by parents of a sufferer. How wonderful it would be if Mental illness could be treated just like any other illness and not as something which sets the poor sufferer apart from others and which stigmatises not only the sufferer but also the family. During the years that I have worked with sufferers I have learnt so much from all of them - both in tolerance, understanding and seeing things from another point of view. Courage.

I've just had this thread pointed out to me. Should have seen it ages ago. My eldest son (who was into everything as a child, but started feeling mentally ill at university and for the last 6 years has been hugely anxious and unable to contimplate work) has recently been diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia, so I am very, very keen to find out more. I'll certainly contact the National Schizophrenia Fellowship. What other organisations would you recommend? My son enthuses a lot about MIND.
Thanks

Dear Richard, Thank you for writing to me about your son. In fact, the prognosis is so much better now with the new medication, providing the diagnosis is made quickly enough. NSF is excellent as are MIND and SANE. The important point is to accept that schizophrenia is an illness - just like any other illness. However, because it is of the mind, most people coming into contact with it think that the sufferer is lazy, or careless, or insensitive, or stubborn or a whole host of things. In reality it is quite appalling the trauma they go through with their poor brains doing things which they neither understand nor can control. There is also the tragedy of the stigma which is attached to the illness. This is something which MUST be overcome if our dear family members are ever to be given a chance to live a "normal" life. As your son has been diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia I am sure that the psychiatrist responsible will be caring for him well, The only thing that I can suggest is that you INSIST that he be given one of the new medications. I have heard a talk from a psychiatrist addressing a Parents Support group at the Bethlem Royal Hospital at Beckenham in which this doctor said that there was absolutely no reason why schizophrenia, diagnosed in time, and treated with one of the new medications should stop any sufferer from leading a "normal" life. If only they had been available when my son and my brother fell ill thirty and forty years ago. I wish you well and please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish for more information or just wish to talk or share your angst. Incidentally great understanding and love are always good to give to those with the illness. I might add that the NSF have family support groups which are a great help to the families who have newly diagnosed family members and are unable to handle the situation - which happens to all of us. They also have groups for the sufferers themselves but of course the sufferer has to accept that s/he is suffering from the illness which in many cases they will not accept. The NSF is holding its AGM in London on the lst December at which Professor Robin Murray is the guest speaker. He is one of the foremost authorities in the world on the illness. It would help you a lot to attend this talk. With kind regards AR1