Schizophrenia - General Discussion

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 Bishop8 said: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???

🤔It’ll probably happen before any injections are even involved.
Look, I don't know anything about the specific treatment this guy is peddling, but maybe you should just take your son in for a consultation? At the very least, an informational talk might actually motivate him to consider some real way to tackle those extra pounds.

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.

Two hundred and fifty bucks?😲
I mean, who wouldn't feel sick to their stomach at that price point? 👎 But look, when you get to the heart of the matter, we all end up in that same position where we'd hand over our very last cent just to stay healthy. The real question is whether you can find what Uglešić is offering anywhere else. I highly doubt he's the only game in town, and it would be absolutely worth looking into whether Blue Cross could cover any part of this cost.

Olivia Bishop8 said: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???

Is he living with you?
If he is, why not just overhaul his diet?
The best way is to save money while losing weight at the same time.
I personally dropped about 18 pounds in a month and a half without hitting the gym once. I wasn't even overweight to begin with, I just wanted to lean out my midsection.😉

If your son has a big appetite, the key is cutting out high-calorie stuff entirely. (Think sweets, chocolate, white rice, white bread, walnuts, heavy cheeses, those creamy sauces you put on meat, etc.)
Instead, try swapping them for => boiled potatoes, salad, spelt bread, boiled kidney beans, chicken, dark chocolate (like 80% cocoa), or plain yogurt.

Honestly, I think it’s never been easier to lose weight than it is right now. That first week is the most critical because that's when your brain starts screaming for more. In those moments, just grab a glass of water or some electrolytes.

Olivia Bishop8 said: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???

That sounds like such a tough situation. Most antipsychotics tend to spike your appetite, and they can easily slow down your metabolism, which makes gaining weight almost inevitable. On top of that, people dealing with depression are often more prone to weight gain, so if your son is also fighting depression, that’s another factor in the mix.
I’m currently sitting just under 220 pounds myself. Over the last five or six years, I’ve put on about 33 pounds, which is quite a bit, though maybe not as extreme as what you're facing. My weight has stayed pretty much stagnant for the past year, even though I also work a physical job.
I don't know if there's much more I can offer, but honestly, that injection idea doesn't sound particularly appealing to me either. Personally, I would focus on making dietary changes first—trying to swap high-calorie foods for lower-calorie alternatives if he can't manage to eat smaller portions. Increasing fluid intake, specifically water, might also help.

It’s really just about eating less—volume-wise, you know? Just cut back. Especially when it comes to bread. If someone is actually feeling hungry, they should grab some fruit instead—maybe even just half a piece, like a banana or something. Honestly, it’s hard to give a "smart" answer here because everyone's body works differently; you can't just hand out the same advice and expect it to work for everyone.

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.

Olivia Bishop8 said: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.

That’s exactly what I was getting at. If he loves eating huge portions, he should at least pick things that are low in calories. Like, have some potatoes with a big salad, or toss some boiled beans or chicken breast into a green salad instead of heavy sides. He could eat pounds of that stuff and still not gain weight because the sheer volume will tell his brain he's full.

The only non-negotiable is cutting out the sweets and junk food.
At the end of the day, he’s going to have to find that inner drive himself. Wishing you guys the very best.👍

David Torres2 said:That’s exactly what I was getting at. If he loves eating huge portions, he should at least pick things that are low in calories. Like, have some potatoes with a big salad, or toss some boiled beans or chicken breast into a green salad instead of heavy sides. He could eat pounds of that stuff and still not gain weight because the sheer volume will tell his brain he's full.

The only non-negotiable is cutting out the sweets and junk food.
At the end of the day, he’s going to have to find that inner drive himself. Wishing you guys the very best.👍

True. You can make anything happen with enough willpower, but that’s exactly where people struggling with mental health hit a wall. For them, unhealthy food is often their main coping mechanism.

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 ✊

Keith Allen3 said:True. You can make anything happen with enough willpower, but that’s exactly where people struggling with mental health hit a wall. For them, unhealthy food is often their main coping mechanism.

That hits home for me. Honestly, I find myself constantly craving sweets—it’s becoming a bit of an obsession... It's almost like when you're having one of those grueling, exhausting days, sugar becomes that one reliable anchor you can grab onto just to keep from being swept away by the chaos.

placidstag7 said:That hits home for me. Honestly, I find myself constantly craving sweets—it’s becoming a bit of an obsession... It's almost like when you're having one of those grueling, exhausting days, sugar becomes that one reliable anchor you can grab onto just to keep from being swept away by the chaos.

Switching to keto seems to kill those sugar cravings, plus ketones might help with anxiety and depression.

An excerpt from research at Oxford : a ketone Ester drink Lowers human Ghrelin and Appetite Elevated blood BHB occurs during both exogenous and endogenous ketosis ; therefore:

A Ketone Ester Drink Lowers Human Ghrelin and Appetite

Elevated blood BHB occurs during both exogenous and endogenous ketosis ; therefore, BHB may be a direct mediator of the lower appetite and altered gut hormone levels seen in both settings...

I guess you can pick up ketones in powder or liquid form, they should probably help.

A new study just dropped, and it turns out eating keto can actually give a massive boost to mental health for those struggling with it.

Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knows if this new legislation regarding survivor benefits affects those of us living with schizophrenia who are already receiving disability benefits.

From what I’ve been reading and searching for online, it seems you only qualify for a parent's survivor benefits if you're a child with a documented disability and some remaining capacity for

vocational rehabilitation and employment under the specific federal guidelines for people with disabilities.

Most of us have dealt with our disability since the very beginning of the illness—in my case, since I was 26—but we didn't go after the official disability status back then because, let's be honest, nobody would hire us anyway.

And even when we did manage to work... well, we all know how much of a struggle that was. So, by the time I finally applied for benefits because I just couldn't keep going, I ended up with disability

of about $160, rather than being able to claim anything from my late father—because apparently, it looks like he wasn't supporting me until his passing, even though he absolutely was; I just can't prove it.

That's why I feel like this law is just plain unfair. It feels like we're being penalized for actually trying to make it on our own. I managed to finish college and worked for six years,

but honestly, my parents made all of that possible—I never could have pulled it off solo. Meanwhile, someone who struggled with addiction and hasn't put in a single day of work

can still qualify for survivor benefits, which can be quite substantial depending on what their parent's pension was.

I don't have anything against them getting help, but shouldn't we also have the right to access our parents' benefits?

Thanks, and please, if anyone has any experience with this, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

LP, Morgan Lewis

Morgan Lewis said:Hey everyone,

I was wondering if anyone knows if this new legislation regarding survivor benefits affects those of us living with schizophrenia who are already receiving disability benefits.

From what I’ve been reading and searching for online, it seems you only qualify for a parent's survivor benefits if you're a child with a documented disability and some remaining capacity for

vocational rehabilitation and employment under the specific federal guidelines for people with disabilities.

Most of us have dealt with our disability since the very beginning of the illness—in my case, since I was 26—but we didn't go after the official disability status back then because, let's be honest, nobody would hire us anyway.

And even when we did manage to work... well, we all know how much of a struggle that was. So, by the time I finally applied for benefits because I just couldn't keep going, I ended up with disability

of about $160, rather than being able to claim anything from my late father—because apparently, it looks like he wasn't supporting me until his passing, even though he absolutely was; I just can't prove it.

That's why I feel like this law is just plain unfair. It feels like we're being penalized for actually trying to make it on our own. I managed to finish college and worked for six years,

but honestly, my parents made all of that possible—I never could have pulled it off solo. Meanwhile, someone who struggled with addiction and hasn't put in a single day of work

can still qualify for survivor benefits, which can be quite substantial depending on what their parent's pension was.

I don't have anything against them getting help, but shouldn't we also have the right to access our parents' benefits?

Thanks, and please, if anyone has any experience with this, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

LP, Morgan Lewis

I'm no legal expert, but looking at these social security and pension laws from the outside, they seem like one absurdity after another. Between standard disability, early retirement, old-age pensions, veteran benefits, and various other categories, there really isn't much logic to it—neither in the amounts paid out nor in the criteria used to decide who gets what.

My mother had been retired since she was 35 (she passed away at 58) and her monthly benefit $600 at the time of her death was roughly $270. She didn't have a degree and had worked for about 15 years before retiring. I honestly don't know if I could have inherited her benefits or not, mostly because I never even looked into it.
So, there you go—you ended up with just $160.
If I can offer some advice, if there is any way at all, try to keep working rather than relying solely on benefits. You're still very young, and being active will probably be better for you both mentally and financially.
I don't know, it's all a pretty difficult situation to navigate. Hang in there.