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- Member
Mon Jun 28, 2021 9:56 am
Good morning
My daughter is in her early 20s. About 10 months ago, she developed a first episode of psychosis and spent 3 months as an inpatient, before coming home. She did not respond sufficiently to the first medications tried but eventually, agreed to try Clozapine. She has no history of mental health problems, drug or alcohol misuse and her doctors have not identified any risk factors that may have led to her illness. She is being supported by the community mental health team and usually has contact with them twice a week. She is making progress and can manage gym classes, meeting small groups of friends, we go on days out, walks, she does her own cleaning and washing etc. Her symptoms are very much reduced, if you visited, not knowing she was ill, you probably would not notice any symptoms. Occasionally (every few days, but not daily) I notice she may still be hearing voices, as she nods or shakes her head, but she is reluctant to discuss these type of symptoms.
Her consultant has suggested she increase her clozapine dose following blood tests, my daughter has declined. She was introduced to a Psychologist to work with, but has declined. She was encouraged to work with Mind support group, she attended the first online session, but no more sessions. She was put in touch for some individual sessions with Mind, did the first introductory chat, but no more. When myself or her father try to talk to her about her condition or why she does not want to increase medication, she gets cross. It appears either she is hoping it will all go away without having to face it or she does not acknowledge the extent of her illness ( I suspect a mixture of both these things).
She takes her medication without any problem, will meet with her mini team from the community mental health team and is open to talking about her anxiety symptoms with me. On a day to day basis she is pleasant company, and clearly wants our support. I feel although she has made a lot of progress since coming home, she is working hard to hide her symptoms from us and herself.
I am trying to adjust to her condition and finding that I can think of little else. I am constantly hoping she will be able to make a full recovery (lead the life she wants to lead and be happy) but constantly worried she won't or could deteriorate. I am worried that not increasing her medication or engaging with any therapy is putting her recovery at risk. Can people take more time to accept this is what is needed? Without therapy and a medication increase, can she make a sufficient recovery?
Many thanks for any advice you may have
My daughter is in her early 20s. About 10 months ago, she developed a first episode of psychosis and spent 3 months as an inpatient, before coming home. She did not respond sufficiently to the first medications tried but eventually, agreed to try Clozapine. She has no history of mental health problems, drug or alcohol misuse and her doctors have not identified any risk factors that may have led to her illness. She is being supported by the community mental health team and usually has contact with them twice a week. She is making progress and can manage gym classes, meeting small groups of friends, we go on days out, walks, she does her own cleaning and washing etc. Her symptoms are very much reduced, if you visited, not knowing she was ill, you probably would not notice any symptoms. Occasionally (every few days, but not daily) I notice she may still be hearing voices, as she nods or shakes her head, but she is reluctant to discuss these type of symptoms.
Her consultant has suggested she increase her clozapine dose following blood tests, my daughter has declined. She was introduced to a Psychologist to work with, but has declined. She was encouraged to work with Mind support group, she attended the first online session, but no more sessions. She was put in touch for some individual sessions with Mind, did the first introductory chat, but no more. When myself or her father try to talk to her about her condition or why she does not want to increase medication, she gets cross. It appears either she is hoping it will all go away without having to face it or she does not acknowledge the extent of her illness ( I suspect a mixture of both these things).
She takes her medication without any problem, will meet with her mini team from the community mental health team and is open to talking about her anxiety symptoms with me. On a day to day basis she is pleasant company, and clearly wants our support. I feel although she has made a lot of progress since coming home, she is working hard to hide her symptoms from us and herself.
I am trying to adjust to her condition and finding that I can think of little else. I am constantly hoping she will be able to make a full recovery (lead the life she wants to lead and be happy) but constantly worried she won't or could deteriorate. I am worried that not increasing her medication or engaging with any therapy is putting her recovery at risk. Can people take more time to accept this is what is needed? Without therapy and a medication increase, can she make a sufficient recovery?
Many thanks for any advice you may have
