I think my mom is going to be committed

**Deku Trii** · 11-24-2009, 12:07 AM

So my mom probably has schizophrenia. I've thought she does for years now based on the symptoms, but, you know, I'm no doctor.

For many years she's suspected that she's been monitored and manipulated by the pastor of a church we attended around the turn of the century. I'll start by saying that I'd be very surprised if he knows who my mom is. She believes he wants to be with her because he can't stand his wife, and that he aims to reduce her to being helpless so that she will need to call on him. She fears he's got her phone tapped, her e-mails intercepted, and her DVD player filming her. She thinks that most of what gets played on the radio is intended for her specifically, no matter the station, and is convinced that it's a result of that pastor's conspiring when a DJ says something or she interprets a song to have a meaning with which she disagrees.

My mom's a security guard. She often tells me about people who've bothered her at work, who she suspects are sent by this man to get her fired. Earlier this week, this finally cost her her job when she freaked out about one of these guys and reportedly threatened him. Along with her job, she seemed to have lost any hope of thriving under the secret harassment of this pastor, and she started talking about thinking it was her time to go.

This morning, my mom called my sister to take her to the hospital because she had some sort of alarming swelling in her face. It must have been bad, because my mom is also pretty paranoid about doctors. Apparently they ask you if you consider yourself suicidal, and she said she was. She had a psych evaluation afterward, and from what my sister tells me, I think she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and there's talk of committing her to a psychiatric hospital. Since she's admitted to being a potential danger to herself, and having reportedly threatened someone else, I think it's very possible.

I don't expect she's going to take the news very well if it happens, but I'm praying that they can help her if it does.

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · 11-24-2009, 02:01 AM

I generally merely scan similar posts, but I have similar issues in my family.

I am very sorry to hear this, and I hope that with rehab and medication, as well as your emotional and spiritual support, she can make some kind of recovery in time.

I'll keep your family in mind.

ZeldaGirl · 11-24-2009, 02:10 AM

Holy ****, I'm so sorry to hear that, Deku. I know that has to be rough on you and your family, and I wish you all my thoughts and love. Sending good karma your way.

* ZeldaGirl hugs Deku Trii

***CaptHayfever*** · 11-24-2009, 06:16 AM

At least she's still able to recognize that she has a problem; a lot of more advanced patients can't see that. Do they think it might've been all the years at her job contributing to this?

Sending some prayers your way, man.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

***Cosmonautical*** · 11-24-2009, 08:39 AM

Instead of dwelling on unpleasantness, I'd just like to say that I'm glad she might be finally getting help dealing with her problems. Trying to stay open-minded about this kind of thing is important, and it might lead to her being truly lucid for the first time in years.

***Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds*** · 11-24-2009, 08:40 AM

As Capt said, it's a really good sign that she could admit there was something wrong. As far as I'm aware, there are times of lucidity where the paranoia doesn't control a person's thoughts and actions, so I'm hoping that she continues to understand that this is a problem that can be treated and helped. Keep in mind that they mostly just manage the symptoms and keep things under control with therapy and medication, and that will be an ongoing effort for the entire family.It might get pretty rough in the future, but try to stay strong and talk to someone if you're feeling stressed or down about it.

My prayers are with you, Deku.

**Deku Trii** · 11-24-2009, 08:48 AM

Well, she admitted to being suicidal, but she's suicidal because she's afraid that dude isn't ever going to let her lead a normal life.

I'm hoping the same thing, AI.

Thanks you guys.

Joker · 11-24-2009, 10:08 AM

Deku, my heart goes out to you. I hope your mom will find the help that she needs so that she can get better. I also know what its like to have a family member committed for a psych evaluation. I'm bipolar and got it from my father who before he was diagnosed as being manic depressive was thought to be schizophrenic. He was committed against his will after a car accident where he let go of the steering wheel because he thought he could control it with his mind. He flew through the front window and was hospitalized and then committed for psychiatric evaluation once he recovered from his injuries. After two months of evaluation he was found out to be bipolar not schizophrenic so they gave him the correct medicine and some counseling and sent him back home. My father has been able to cope with his illness using the proper combination of medication and counseling and most of all the support he receives from his family.

Although this is a trying time for you and your family, the love that you have for each other will help you through it. Keep your head up, make sure your mom gets the best help possible, never let your mom feel like she’s alone in this and things will improve from here on out.

**Valigarmander** · 11-24-2009, 11:59 AM

I hope your mother gets the help she needs now, and that things can take a turn for the better from here.

You have my best wishes, Deku.

11-24-2009, 12:07 AM	#1
Deku Trii PP&R Mod Current Events Mod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texas Gender: Posts: 9,031 Thanks: 521 Thanked 1,099 Times in 583 Posts	I think my mom is going to be committed So my mom probably has schizophrenia. I've thought she does for years now based on the symptoms, but, you know, I'm no doctor. For many years she's suspected that she's been monitored and manipulated by the pastor of a church we attended around the turn of the century. I'll start by saying that I'd be very surprised if he knows who my mom is. She believes he wants to be with her because he can't stand his wife, and that he aims to reduce her to being helpless so that she will need to call on him. She fears he's got her phone tapped, her e-mails intercepted, and her DVD player filming her. She thinks that most of what gets played on the radio is intended for her specifically, no matter the station, and is convinced that it's a result of that pastor's conspiring when a DJ says something or she interprets a song to have a meaning with which she disagrees. My mom's a security guard. She often tells me about people who've bothered her at work, who she suspects are sent by this man to get her fired. Earlier this week, this finally cost her her job when she freaked out about one of these guys and reportedly threatened him. Along with her job, she seemed to have lost any hope of thriving under the secret harassment of this pastor, and she started talking about thinking it was her time to go. This morning, my mom called my sister to take her to the hospital because she had some sort of alarming swelling in her face. It must have been bad, because my mom is also pretty paranoid about doctors. Apparently they ask you if you consider yourself suicidal, and she said she was. She had a psych evaluation afterward, and from what my sister tells me, I think she was diagnosed with schizophrenia and there's talk of committing her to a psychiatric hospital. Since she's admitted to being a potential danger to herself, and having reportedly threatened someone else, I think it's very possible. I don't expect she's going to take the news very well if it happens, but I'm praying that they can help her if it does.

11-24-2009, 10:08 AM	#8
Joker Lord of Vampires / God of Vengeance Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: The Planet of Eternal Darkness Gender: Posts: 11,117 Thanks: 3,273 Thanked 580 Times in 364 Posts Blog Entries: 6	Deku, my heart goes out to you. I hope your mom will find the help that she needs so that she can get better. I also know what its like to have a family member committed for a psych evaluation. I'm bipolar and got it from my father who before he was diagnosed as being manic depressive was thought to be schizophrenic. He was committed against his will after a car accident where he let go of the steering wheel because he thought he could control it with his mind. He flew through the front window and was hospitalized and then committed for psychiatric evaluation once he recovered from his injuries. After two months of evaluation he was found out to be bipolar not schizophrenic so they gave him the correct medicine and some counseling and sent him back home. My father has been able to cope with his illness using the proper combination of medication and counseling and most of all the support he receives from his family. Although this is a trying time for you and your family, the love that you have for each other will help you through it. Keep your head up, make sure your mom gets the best help possible, never let your mom feel like she’s alone in this and things will improve from here on out. Last edited by Joker; 11-24-2009 at 05:09 PM.

11-24-2009, 02:01 AM	#2
I REALLY HATE POKEMON! Goku lives on the Sun Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: California, U.S.A Gender: Posts: 12,717 Thanks: 1,334 Thanked 275 Times in 234 Posts Blog Entries: 1	I generally merely scan similar posts, but I have similar issues in my family. I am very sorry to hear this, and I hope that with rehab and medication, as well as your emotional and spiritual support, she can make some kind of recovery in time. I'll keep your family in mind.

11-24-2009, 02:10 AM	#3
ZeldaGirl Awesome member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Why do YOU want to know...? Gender: Posts: 15,896 Thanks: 1,130 Thanked 1,919 Times in 1,046 Posts	Holy ***, I'm so sorry to hear that, Deku. I know that has to be rough on you and your family, and I wish you all my thoughts and love. Sending good karma your way. ZeldaGirl hugs Deku Trii

11-24-2009, 06:16 AM	#4
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,661 Thanks: 1,991 Thanked 2,486 Times in 1,513 Posts	At least she's still able to recognize that she has a problem; a lot of more advanced patients can't see that. Do they think it might've been all the years at her job contributing to this? Sending some prayers your way, man. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

11-24-2009, 08:39 AM	#5
*Cosmonautical* Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 28,102 Thanks: 2,157 Thanked 5,338 Times in 2,433 Posts	Instead of dwelling on unpleasantness, I'd just like to say that I'm glad she might be finally getting help dealing with her problems. Trying to stay open-minded about this kind of thing is important, and it might lead to her being truly lucid for the first time in years.

11-24-2009, 08:40 AM	#6
*Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds* Admin "mine.. not yours. NO. MINE." Epic Ladynerd Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Forteresse de Valois Gender: Posts: 28,504 Thanks: 1,658 Thanked 1,820 Times in 1,042 Posts	As Capt said, it's a really good sign that she could admit there was something wrong. As far as I'm aware, there are times of lucidity where the paranoia doesn't control a person's thoughts and actions, so I'm hoping that she continues to understand that this is a problem that can be treated and helped. Keep in mind that they mostly just manage the symptoms and keep things under control with therapy and medication, and that will be an ongoing effort for the entire family.It might get pretty rough in the future, but try to stay strong and talk to someone if you're feeling stressed or down about it. My prayers are with you, Deku.

11-24-2009, 08:48 AM	#7
Deku Trii PP&R Mod Current Events Mod Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Texas Gender: Posts: 9,031 Thanks: 521 Thanked 1,099 Times in 583 Posts	Well, she admitted to being suicidal, but she's suicidal because she's afraid that dude isn't ever going to let her lead a normal life. I'm hoping the same thing, AI. Thanks you guys.

11-24-2009, 11:59 AM	#9
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,755 Thanks: 1,649 Thanked 5,701 Times in 2,581 Posts Blog Entries: 20	I hope your mother gets the help she needs now, and that things can take a turn for the better from here. You have my best wishes, Deku.