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Does anyone else here have a family member with a mental illness? I have a family member (Bob) with schizophrenia. Bob was diagnosed about 4 years ago. Since then it's gotten progressively worse. Bob can't hold down a job and lives off social security. Lives in a shanty apartment. Bob dropped out of community college last year with no future prospects. It's intensely difficult because Bob also has substance abuses and often misses taking medication. Over the last few years Bob has been in and out of the hospital every couple months. It's a complete merry-go-round feeling. Bob is also starting to turn on family members and even case workers. Bob has been in the hospital the past week and we just found out last night. Because of privacy laws there is nothing we can do but watch Bob slowly disintegrate. We can't even talk to Bob's doctors. The only way Bob can be held against his will is if he hurts himself or someone else. That is a horrible thing for a family member to hear and it's weighing very heavily. It is a matter of time and that makes me so angry at the system.
My heart is so heavy right now. So helpless.
Does anyone else suffer with family with mental illness? How do you cope?
My heart is so heavy right now. So helpless.
Does anyone else suffer with family with mental illness? How do you cope?