Posts by Olivia Bishop8

Yeah, obviously self-control is the issue. Like, he quit weed, stopped lounging on the couch all day, and gave up alcohol. So now, food is all that's left. That’s why it’s such a struggle—losing weight is easy if you just get your head right. I don't think it was even about cravings originally; I mean, I suspect it started with those meds. That's why I'm posting here, hoping someone else dealt with this so I can figure out a way through it. And of course, the real culprits are the snacks and sweets, especially since I try so hard to cook healthy meals. Then the guy just goes out and buys total junk 🥴.
David Torres2, thanks for the kind words. We'll beat this thing just like everything else we've faced ✊

Hey. About this weight issue. He was around 200 pounds before he got sick, which was totally fine for his height. I figured someone else here might have dealt with something similar. It’s not like he had issues with being overweight before all this; it’s mostly just the meds and the fact that he hasn't left the house in forever. Cutting calories would be the easy fix, but it's not that simple. He’s dealing with binge eating now, and I guess it’s basically become its own illness at this point. Anyway, I finally managed to talk him into seeing a therapist yesterday, so we'll see if that actually does anything. I feel for him. He wants to get out there, find a girlfriend, and just live his life. Mentally he’s doing okay, but the weight is holding him back from everything. He tried some diets and even went swimming... nothing worked. He just can't stick to a routine for long.

Nah, injections, obviously 🤣. The thing is, he’d have to drop like $300 just for the consultation, and I bet he’d start whining about the price tag immediately.

Hey everyone
Looks like you guys just hit on weight issues. Exactly what I was looking to get some advice on. I've posted here before, so if anyone has more tips, let me know. I’m the mother of a guy dealing with schizophrenia. He’s been sick for 8 years now. The first couple of years were pretty rough and honestly nasty, but things are better now, luckily. He’s actually had a job for over a year, which helped his mental state a ton. So, that part is mostly handled. But, through all this, he’s put on a massive amount of weight—over 130 pounds. We can't seem to fix it. He does physical labor, but he hasn't lost a single pound. He struggles with binge eating, and it’s messing with his stomach too. He just gulps food down without chewing. Says he can't help it.
We heard that Dr. Uglešić runs a clinic where they treat weight issues with injections you have to pay out of pocket every day. Money isn't really an issue for us, at least not for me, but he’s cheap and hates spending it. Plus, the idea of daily shots is a huge hurdle for him. Anyone have experience with this kind of treatment? Any ideas on how to talk him into trying it???

Olivia Smith2 said:What exactly was his diagnosis, and how long has he been in remission? People recovering from psychosis often need quite a bit of time to "wash off" those psychotic thoughts—even if they seem to be doing better right now. Time is such a critical factor, and those around them really need to understand that. It’s vital that the individual moves in a direction that feels right for them, while their support system remains confident that this path is leading toward actual recovery.

Personally, it took me a little over two years to clear out all that psychotic residue. The real tragedy is that this chaos usually hits people right when they are supposed to be finding their footing and carving out their place in the world.

I was lucky enough to have some self-control. I actually toyed with some pretty dark, perverse content and practically drove myself to the brink of madness. Once I realized how destructive that was, I did the exact opposite. I suppose I was lucky enough to succeed at being paradoxical—just as I had turned health into sickness, I worked to turn my illness back toward health because I knew what was hurting me. Despite spending two incredibly important years in a near-vegetative state, I eventually landed a great job, enrolled in another college program, and started working as someone who cares for others. I say all this with a grain of salt, though, because psychosis is a brutal thing and there is no guaranteed cure or outcome. But there is always hope. 🙂

The diagnosis is F20.0.
He got sick 7 years ago, when he was 18. Those first three years were a total disaster. Then things got slightly better for the next two years; he even worked those two seasons (barely, and only because I talked him into it). He didn't work this season. He had hallucinations, then claimed they were gone, so at one point he just stopped taking his pills on his own (stuck with the injections), and claims he hasn't had hallucinations since. His doctor cleared him from the pills. So yeah, it's been about two years like that.
He's put on a ton of weight. I know it's a side effect of the meds, but this is getting ridiculous (maybe around 170-175 lbs?), and now I'm worried he'll develop other issues because of the weight. He hardly goes anywhere because he doesn't feel like walking around town. He just stays at the vacation house because he likes walking in nature, but mostly he just plays computer games.
And so life goes on...

Man, this illness is just brutal... Reading through everything you guys are going through (I'm not the one sick, my son is), it’s honestly pretty terrifying. He’s in remission right now, I guess, but I can't help worrying about his future and what his life is even going to look like. He's 25 now, just stays inside, doesn't work, doesn't go out, doesn't really hang with anyone besides a few close family members. He tells me he feels fine, but after reading all your stories, I suspect he's struggling way more than he lets on.
I don't even know, honestly, who has it worse—him or me as a parent.
How do you even escape this nightmare?

So, what happens if someone with F20 just decides to stop taking their meds on their own? Like, they've been off them for 9 months now... 😬

gentlenomad502 said:If you ask me, I'd suggest tapering off the meds first and then making an effort to get outside. Not sure what he's even on right now.
I'm only on one medication myself at the moment, though I was taking three for a while. Mental health struggles aren't exactly a walk in the park.

They're taking 15 mg of Azolar in the morning and Xeplion injections.

Hey there.
Back again for some advice. My son is 24 and dealing with F20. It started about six years ago. Lately, he says he’s feeling fine—when we talk, he seems totally level-headed. The issue is, he won't go anywhere. Ever. It's either his room or maybe a trip to a cabin out in the woods, but mostly he just sits there gaming. He managed to hold down a job for a couple of seasons last year, but man, it was a struggle. He even got a girl's number once, but he never actually called her..
Then there's the weight issue. Between the meds and just being sedentary, he's put on over 130 pounds.
Up until now, he used to talk to me a lot and actually listen to what I had to say, but I think I've become a broken record. Now he doesn't really want to open up about the illness, eating better, or any of that stuff. We can still talk about everything else, though.

So, you're telling me there's NO cure for this damn disease????!!!!!

Hey everyone.
Haven't been around here in a while (thank God), since things have finally started looking up for us. My son was diagnosed five years ago (f20). Reading through your posts lately, I see just how much progress people have actually made. Right now, he’s on an injection every three months and takes a pill every morning. He seems totally fine. Or, at least, he looks that way. He doesn't really complain about being sick either; worked all summer and now he's talking about college. Sleeps normally, functions fine. One thing though—he gets pretty anxious. That wasn't really an issue before. What's messing with my head is whether this could get worse. I'm beyond happy with where he is right now, but... I don't know, I'm a mom, and I can't help worrying about the future. Did any of you deal with phases where everything seemed okay, only for things to take a turn for the worse? His doctor says as long as he stays on the meds, he won't relapse. He mentioned he'll be taking them for a long, long time, which I'm guessing means basically forever. Thanks if anyone takes the time to reply.

Thanks to everyone who weighed in on my post. Seems like we’re all on the same page—if the doctor nails down the right therapy, things might actually look up. He did mention he’s pretty happy with how things are progressing so far. Yeah, some anxiety came up. The kid is basically terrified of everything! I just hope things turn out okay for my little one, and for all of you dealing with this nightmare of a disease too.

Hey everyone.
I haven't been on this forum for long. I'm the mom of a guy diagnosed with G20. We've been through some pretty rough patches—more than him, obviously. It’s been a little over four years since he got sick. Two hospital stays, a suicide attempt... you name it. But, whatever, I shouldn't complain too much. Things seem to be looking up lately, I guess. The illness is mostly under control. He's doing okay, just doesn't really go out much. Mostly just hangs with close family, though he's actually planning on heading to college soon (the diagnosis hit right after he finished high school). Honestly, I just wanted to see what you guys think, since you're going through this too... Do you think it could come back? Not like it goes anywhere, but still. He's on meds and sticks to them strictly. I'm just wondering if he can actually do college and live a somewhat normal life ??? Or am I just being overly optimistic ???!!!

Thanks a ton, Dr. Diego. We’ve been through the ringer lately, and like you said, everything moves at a snail's pace. But man, looking back at where we were just a year ago... It's wild. We only really talk about the illness maybe once a month now; he says he's pretty much over the whole thing. I'm just relieved he's actually taking his meds because he wants to, not because I'm nagging him—for the longest time, he was just faking it and wouldn't cooperate. Things are looking up, but I guess I was just terrified this mess would last forever. Feeling a bit better after that pep talk. Best,

Just wondering if anyone can weigh in on something. My son got sick about a year and a half ago. He’s doing a lot better now and stays on his meds, but he’s still hearing voices. Plus, he just doesn't have the drive to do anything. I guess... do you think this will pass? Like, is there actually a point where those symptoms just go away?

Got a question for you guys. My son was diagnosed with schizophrenia about a year and a half ago. He's been on antipsychotics regularly for a little over a year now. It's been rough—he's put on a ton of weight (like 120 pounds in just over a year), his sex drive is totally gone, and he's still hearing voices. His doctor just keeps him on the exact same meds without changing anything. I'm wondering if we should probably get a second opinion from someone else? It feels like he should've improved by now, or at least stopped hearing those voices...

Thanks for the help

Well, I guess I'm joining this thread too. My son got sick about a year ago. He was using way too much weed, and honestly, his whole life just flipped upside down in an instant. At first, the doctors had him under one diagnosis code, but now it's shifted to another. He tells me it's schizophrenia. It’s been brutal for all of us. I still haven't really come to terms with how sick he actually is. In the beginning, he didn't even realize anything was wrong, so he wouldn't take his meds—he'd just hide them or toss them out. He ended up in the hospital twice early last year. Things are slightly better now, I guess. But he’s still stuck in psychotic episodes and hears voices sometimes. I don't know a ton about the specifics because he won't talk about it. That's why I'm reaching out here... I just want to make things easier for him, but I need to understand what's going on in his head first. The doctor says he needs to talk about it, tell us what the voices are saying and all that, but he just shuts down. Should I push him? For those of you dealing with this, were you ever able to talk about it?
I have a million more questions, but that's where I'll start. If anyone feels like helping, I'd really appreciate it.
Reading what David Vaughn75 writes makes things feel a little easier. I'm always looking for some kind of hope, thinking maybe he'll get better or find some version of a normal life. Thanks if any of you can help.

Can anyone who's actually been through this tell me how long psychosis or hallucinations usually last?