Twin Brother Shows Signs of Psychosis

[Jabbe]

This has been very tough for me everyone. I love my bro to death.

 

He had his 1st mental breakdown about a month ago. My feeling of what caused this is social isolation, too much reading, stress, too much thinking. Also, he's been pretty much bored in the house for nearly 4yrs. I've travelled and got married,but he's been stuck doing the same things.

 

When he had his breakdown, it was completely terrifying. He kept repeating things I would say, tried to run away from me when we went for a walk because he thought he was stuck in hell and I was a demon trying to trick him into an endless walk, and saying the first thoughts that popped into his mind. He was also having auditory, visual hallucinations and delusions. He also wrote "word salads," trying to make anything opposite make sense. He also was convinced that 2+2=5. The fact that it could simply be 4 was not logical enough for him. He would also go in states of catatonia.

 

I called and ambulance and we went to the hospital. He stayed on the floor for mental patients for 4 days.

 

Symptoms in a nutshell: Delusions, Catatonia, Disorganized Speech/Thinking/Behavior

 

We are 22yrs old.

 

He's trying too hard to control every aspect of his life instead of letting things happen.

 

I believe it's Schizophrenia. We're going to schedule his follow up tomorrow.

 

The thing is that we're in a music group together and we are about to go pursue this in 2 weeks. All he needs is a life experience/confidence boost besides being trapped the room reading all the time and to meet some new faces and just experiencing life instead of planning it.

 

How can I help him? How can I cope with this?

 

If you have been diagnosed with any form of psychosis (mainly schizophrenia) and can help, please PM me.

 

This situation is life-changing and I'm so hurt by what's happened to him.

 

Here's my previous post:

 

 

 

I feel like aspects of my life keep getting so much worse, but I'm trying to stay positive.

[unabashed]

Jabbe, I am sorry that your brother is ill. All the signs which you believe caused his illness are really symptoms of the illness, itself. There is nothing you could have done differently to prevent this from happening--this is something that he has been susceptible to and it is typical for it to become worse at this age (assuming that you are young adults). Now is the time for him to get psychiatric help--many of his symptoms can be controlled with medication. You both may benefit from some counseling to help you cope with these changes. The upcoming plans for the music project may be too much for him at this time. The doctor or clinic may be able to suggest some support groups or programs for family members who love someone with a mental illness. Wishing you all the best.

[Jabbe]

You're right. We will see what doctors have to say. This is just something that came out of left-field. I swear could never have seen this coming. I'm doing my best to help him make friends. Thank you.

[unabashed]

You're welcome. I think that taking care of yourself should always remain on your list of things to do. You will have many wonderful, rewarding times in the months and years to come, but there will also be challenges. Always make sure to keep in mind what you can do something about, and what is not in your control, and do what you need to take care of yourself without guilt or remorse. Your lives will be different than you might have expected, but you do not have to change your goals and aspirations for anyone, including your brother. I hope this makes sense. Again, take care.

[nutbrownhare]

Schizophrenia can often be treated with the right medication, to the point where the sufferer can lead a perfectly normal life - as long as they don't stop taking their meds. Many schizophrenics need to control everything around them - it's their way of feeling safe in a very unsafe world. Your description makes it sound as though his inner life really is hell at the moment.

 

I agree that the music project might well be too much for him at the moment; he's not in a mental place where he can just 'let things happen' - this is also an aspect of the illness.

 

Can you get support for yourself? Families really can suffer when one member has a mental illness.

[sarey]

I'm so sorry...

*hugs*

 

I hope you find out what's going on, and your brother gets the best treatment for him... It's truly sad, but things like this can be helped.

[Jabbe]

It's tough. I'm believing it's might be schizophrenia based on the things I've read about it. He's going to have a follow up and we'll see what the psychiatrist says.

 

We're indeed suffering. Everyone's wondering what we could've done to prevent this.

[nutbrownhare]

It's tough. I'm believing it's might be schizophrenia based on the things I've read about it. He's going to have a follow up and we'll see what the psychiatrist says.

 

We're indeed suffering. Everyone's wondering what we could've done to prevent this.

 

There's nothing anyone could have done; please don't blame yourselves, and try and get plenty of support for yourselves so that you can be there emotionally for him as much as possible.