Dating Schizophrenia

elkpark · Jan 16, 2004

Schizophrenia, like so many other psych disorders, is a continuum -- there are people with v. mild cases, v. severe cases, and everything in between. I would never automatically say, "Run." There are many considerations.

I would consider how strong a family history there is (thinking about prognosis), how severe the person's symptoms are at baseline, how solid a treatment and support system the person has in place, and how motivated the person is to stay on medication and follow the other general health practices that can help him or her stay as stable as possible.

These other health practices would include basic stuff like making sure to get enough sleep and a healthy diet, avoid recreational drugs and ETOH, avoid stress and chaos as much as possible, keep to a stable daily schedule, etc.

If you have any experience in psych, you know that a common pattern is for people to get stabilized on medication, feel frustrated by how crummy the medications make them feel all the time, decide that they're doing so well maybe they don't need the meds anymore, quit taking their meds, and decompensate.

On the other hand, lots of people with schizophrenia are keeping up with treatment, going to work every day, raising families, and just living their lives. Most observers would never become aware that they have a serious psych diagnosis.

Best wishes with your relationship with this person. Heck, nobody's perfect -- some of us have physcial disabilities, some have psychiatric/emotional disabilities, some of us are just schmucks with no excuse! IMHO, the best thing you can do is just take things slowly, be aware of any characteristics of the person or experiences with the person that scare you, and, if that is happening, respect those feelings.

Gatsby · Jan 16, 2004

Thank you. This was good advice and, oddly, reassuring. She seems committed to wanting to stay on medication, but has expressed a strong desire to reduce it somewhat and see how that goes. She functions very well, as I knew her for several months before she told me of her illness, and during that time I only suspected some emotional issues, as you rightly point out many of us have. She was able to complete college despite the diagnosis and some hospitalization, so that indicates something of I guess the severity of her case.

Thank you again for your response.

sanakruz, ADN · Jan 16, 2004

It would help her to be in a recovery group.

http://www.SAnonymous.org

As I have often said here, some of the most unique, creative and endearing individuals I have ever met carried this diagnosis

Gatsby · Jan 16, 2004

I can agree entirely, it is a big part of what is attractive about her. Thank you for tip on SA, I don't believe she is aware fo the organization.