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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Does my friend have shizophrenia ?
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
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Does my friend have shizophrenia ?
by jan123, Aug 23, 2002 12:00AM
Hello,
A long story (sorry):
I'm been dating a 26 year old man for the past four months, for the last two months rather seriously. Since early in our relationship, he has manifested some (what I thought were) phobic behaviors: a fear of germs, evidenced by a bit of overuse of Purell, fear of confined spaces, fear of blood, fear of illness. We have frequently discussed these phobias; he has been (overly) apologetic, told me he is getting better about the phobias, made funny, self-aware jokes about them, and does
indeed seem to actively try to become less fearful of some of these objects. Although I was a bit worried, I have never seen him panic over any of the objects he is afraid of, and was pretty relaxed about the whole thing.
Other than these phobias and continuing to live with his parents at a somewhat older age, he has never manifested any unusual behavior -- besides being unusually sensitive and open emotionally for a man his age. He is always intelligent, emotive, lucid, and perceptive.
We speak on the phone every day, sometimes multiple times a day, and approximately four days ago, he missed our usual call. I was minorly concerned and e-mailed him. He replied that he was feeling like he had a virus and had been at the doctor's or sleeping all day. The next day, the same thing happened (no call from him), until around 11pm, when he called me from the hospital to say his illness was a little more serious: he had bacteria in his blood. He sounded totally lucid, but tired.
Finally, after again not hearing from him, I called the hospital to check on his status. I was patched to his internist, who said the incredibly shocking words: "He's stable, but actively psychotic. It's part of his schizophrenia." What does this mean? How could he have manifested no symptoms in our four months together?
Then, it gets more confusing! A few hours later, he calls me, is completely lucid as usual, asking me questions about an outing we took last week, congratulating me on a paper I gave. When I said, "You know, you can tell me about anything that is bothering you. I am here for you," he continued to stick to the story about the infection, saying he was getting better through antibiotics, and didn't understand why the patient in the next room was screaming. Does he not know he is in the psychiatric ward? Can he be delusional, and simultaneously lucid? Is he schizophrenic, though he doesn't seem to fit the (admittedly vague) profile at all? What should I say?
I really don't know what to do; I was surprised his doctor told me of his condition so readily. I think she seemed surprised herself, and would not take well to my calling again to ask more questions. I also have not yet met his parents, and feel strange going 'over his head' to question them about him.
I feel very overwhelmed by all this shocking information; I want to remain a friend to this lovely, lovable man, and still take care of myself. I would appreciate any advice! -JG
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Aug 23, 2002 12:00AM
, Aug 23, 2002 12:00AM
I think you should stay friendly and supportive of this lovely, lovable man. He sounds like a wonderful human being.
You can not ignore the evidence about his having a significant mental illness. But if it is schizophrenia, it is not the same type you see in the movies. People recover from schizophrenia, but it is not easy to predict who will recover and when. Some recent studies suggest that about 50% recover.
You need to talk to him about this openly when he returns from the hospital, and if your romantic plans are changed because of this, agree to be the kind of friend to him as he has been to you.
You can not ignore the evidence about his having a significant mental illness. But if it is schizophrenia, it is not the same type you see in the movies. People recover from schizophrenia, but it is not easy to predict who will recover and when. Some recent studies suggest that about 50% recover.
You need to talk to him about this openly when he returns from the hospital, and if your romantic plans are changed because of this, agree to be the kind of friend to him as he has been to you.
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interesting huh?
good luck,
Peggy
I think it would be a very good thing to stay friendly with this man, but I would be careful about making a long term commitment. Marriage, for example, to someone with any chronic disease, has long term implications both for the relationship and for any children that may result from the relationship.
One of my friend was said to have pschizophrenia, but he doesnot seem to be, though he was close to me, off late, he has started avoiding me for no reasons, how to tackle this? please guide me.
Thanks