hello again...

[n40066]

just to refresh you folks, my son has rapid cycling bipolar and is addicted to opiate pain meds.  he is currently using.  he was just diagnosed yesterday with scyzophrenia and dissassociated personality disorder.  the phsycologist he was seeing has refered him to a phsyciatrist for med change.  i know that mental illness is a very personal thing and no two people are exactly the same.  i just hope there is enough common ground that someone will be able to offer me some suggestions.  he has had no contact with me since the incident 2 weeks ago when he locked me outside of my home and barracaided all the doors so that i could not get in for over 8 hours.  i have not seen or spoken to him since that day.  according to what the dr. told my father, he did this to protect me.  he knew he had gone over the edge and all he wanted was me dead.  well, i am dying.  just in a different way.  we had always been so close!!  he is my only child and my physical health is not the greatest right now.  he is doing what earlier posts are describing...isolating himself.  is there any way i can get thru to him?  to tell him i forgive him, love him and will never leave him no matter how hard he pushes?  thanks for your help.  elizabeth

[n40066]

thank you for your input.  it has been very helpful!!!  happy 4th!  i hope you all have a peaceful day!

[paranoid_cataclysm]

There's indeed a forum on Medhelp for schizophrenia but it's nowhere near as active or as tightly-nit of a community as this forum which I wrote on before in a journal post praising this place's community-like attributes.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Schizophrenia/show/295

[wineandroses]

Elizabeth, I found a support group for family of schizophrenic, called support4hope.com, you may want to check it out to see if there is anything that may help you.  God bless, Jude

[wineandroses]

Elizabeth, sweetie, it breaks my heart everytime I read your post so deperate for answers.  I know you need to get help for yourself.  You are worrying yourself into a breakdown and then who would you benefit.  
All I can say is knowledge is a very powerful weapon.  Can you make an appt. to discuss your son's illness with his doctor?  I know because of confidentiality laws your son must have put your name on his medical records before the doctor can discuss his case specific, but perhaps the doctor could give you a understanding of the diagnois and perhaps help you to deal with the situation better.
I can tell you this, being Schzophrenic is not a death sentance.  People with schzophrenia can and do live productive lives with the help of medication and therapy to learn skills to cope with their particular illness.  Now that your son has a dx, he can be treated.  
Personally, I think you need to give him some space, let him go for treatment and not act like you pity him or watch him to see if he is crazy.  I would back off for awhile and focus on your own health for now.
Have you armed yourself with symptoms, etc of schizophrenia?  There are different categories of schizophrenia.  Your son with proper medication and professional help can go learn to live with this illness, I know several people that are doing just that.  Is there a site on Medhelp for Schzophrenia?  

[paranoid_cataclysm]

All you can do is tell him this stuff in a supportive manner when you have the chance.  Maybe write a letter or something?  I used to intentionally isolate myself as well before I got on medication and I even told my best friend I didn't want to be around him most of the time.  It's nothing personal, it's just the illness causing it.  I wish I could tell you how to get through it and get to him directly so you could tell him but I don't know because I never had anyone who was able to do this and I still isolate myself somewhat even though I hate the fact I do it.  It just causes me stress for some reason being around other people or not having control in being able to return to my home when I want.