Schizophrenia ? What a mess :(

[dustysky]

This is a very difficult time for me, I have been taking care of my grandmother for as long as I can remember, she does live in her own apartment, however, we take her shopping, and keep her company as much as we can. My husband and I both work fulltime and we have two kids so we do have less time to spend with her then she needs or we would like.

In the last few weeks, close to a month now, she has been telling me that the woman across the hall from her is going to kill her. She says that she hears her talking out side and that she says things like “I have a gun and I am going to shoot that lady if she comes out of her house” or “she took my mail and torn it all up”. Now mind you her mail is locked in a box only she can get into and now of what she said sounded true.

Thursday night my grandmother called me and said she had called the police because she had “had enough”. So Friday after work I went over and spoke with this lady, whom my grandmother is so afraid of and as I thought, the lady was very nice and had NO idea of this problem until the police knocked on her door Thursday night.

There is much more to my grandmother’s delusions but it would take forever to type it all.
I am really at such a loss; she does not have a Dr. but I was able to set up an appointment for her with one on Monday. I have no idea how I will get her in there or how on earth the Dr. can treat a person who does not know they are sick.

Has anyone ever had to deal with anything similar to this? I would love some advice……

Just FYI, I have tried social services and they are no help

 

[rie'smom]

We had an elderly lady in the psych ward with the same type of symptoms. Once the docs got her on meds there was an overnight change. I suggest taking your grandmother to your family doctor for an evaluation. Sometimes when we age the synapses are not what they should be and our mental processes get foggy.

 

[dustysky]

Thanks, I am taking her to a very well know and reputable Dr. tomorrow but as I said I have no clue how I will even get her to go in the office. She hates Dr.'s

My real question is how does a Dr. treat a person who just simply has no idea they are sick?

I am so afraid.

 

[Aidensmom]

My own grandmother is experiencing this. She is on psychiatric medication, which helped tremendously at first, but as time passes they seem to be less and less effective. She is currently in a nursing home - my mom tried to have her in assisted living apartments for awhile, but it just really didn't work out.

It is not schizophrenia. That particular disease presents itself at a much younger age. It is however similar, more related to a dementia type problem.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My grandma had dementia and it started out with her seeing and hearing things. She'd say people were in her apartment, etc. There was no cure for her, but she was given oxygen (for emphysema) and that seemed to help.

Sometimes it's something as simple as a lack of the vitamin Bs. I hope there's an easy answer for your grandmother.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Is your grandmother getting enough to drink? I'm not asking if you're making it available, I'm asking if she's drinking it. Is her mouth dry? I can't tell you how many people show up with elderly relatives who've suddenly and inexplicably become confused and it turns out to be dehydration.

In any event, I'd take her to the hospital. The chances of it being schizophrenia are pretty low, but there are a gazillion other explanations.
Good luck.

 

[PrincessMom2002]

One of my grandmothers has suffered from schizophrenia for much of her life. For the past 20 years she has been really really good but prior to that it was rough. My grandfather had to have her committed for a time when my mom was young. Never has my grandmother admitted to a problem. To this day she believes she had a profound religious experience. But this went on for decades. I don't know all of the details and I didn't personally deal with it, other than witnessing her erratic behavior, but they had to use force and it was pretty traumatic for all involved. I don't think my grandmother remembers when she was committed because she had shock therapy during that time. Anyway, it would be best to take her to a doctor whether she wants to go or not, even if you have to lie to her about what the appointment is for. By the way she is talking, she is a danger to herself and others. Has she ever exhibited signs of it prior to this? Good luck with whatever you do and I hope she is OK.

 

[dustysky]

My own grandmother is experiencing this. She is on psychiatric medication, which helped tremendously at first, but as time passes they seem to be less and less effective. She is currently in a nursing home - my mom tried to have her in assisted living apartments for awhile, but it just really didn't work out.

It is not schizophrenia. That particular disease presents itself at a much younger age. It is however similar, more related to a dementia type problem.

I know they say that schizophrenia is seen in youger people, I should have prefaced this post with that fact that she has always had "issues" just never to this level.

One of the things she was telling me was, the lady who lives across from her was "planting" bags of human "poop" in the dumster and then saying it was her (mygrandmother) in order to get her in trouble.

 

[dustysky]

Is your grandmother getting enough to drink? I'm not asking if you're making it available, I'm asking if she's drinking it. Is her mouth dry? I can't tell you how many people show up with elderly relatives who've suddenly and inexplicably become confused and it turns out to be dehydration.

In any event, I'd take her to the hospital. The chances of it being schizophrenia are pretty low, but there are a gazillion other explanations.
Good luck.

I would say no, she lives on Pepsie, cigerets and toaster struddels, we cant get her to eat or drink much more than that. She is down to 75 pounds! (she is also only 4'11).

 

[PrincessMom2002]

My own grandmother is experiencing this. She is on psychiatric medication, which helped tremendously at first, but as time passes they seem to be less and less effective. She is currently in a nursing home - my mom tried to have her in assisted living apartments for awhile, but it just really didn't work out.

It is not schizophrenia. That particular disease presents itself at a much younger age. It is however similar, more related to a dementia type problem.

That's what I was wondering too since my own grandmother suffered from schizophrenia most of her life, and it presented itself at a young age.

 

[dustysky]

Sometimes it's something as simple as a lack of the vitamin Bs. I hope there's an easy answer for your grandmother.

If it is this then how great would that be!! Thanks.

 

[magicmato]

Sounds like dementia. One of my mother's friends mom had that. She constantly accused her daughter of walking around with a spoon in her mouth and she was convinced the people on TV were trying to kill her. She would scream at the tv and stuff... very scary. They had to put her in a nursing home as they were afraid what she would do to herself or others.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I'm still voting hospital. They'll check to make sure there is nothing physically wrong. Then, if they think there is some kind of mental illness, they'll send her to a psychiatric hospital.

I hope it all works out well for her...and you!

 

[dustysky]

Yes she has always been a littel "off" but this time she is over the top.

 

[dustysky]

I'm still voting hospital. They'll check to make sure there is nothing physically wrong. Then, if they think there is some kind of mental illness, they'll send her to a psychiatric hospital.

I hope it all works out well for her...and you!

Thank you. I will be sure to post an update Monday evening.

 

[dmslush]

I would say no, she lives on Pepsie, cigerets and toaster struddels, we cant get her to eat or drink much more than that. She is down to 75 pounds! (she is also only 4'11).

If she is down to 75 pounds, it might be in your best interest to take her to the emergency room. I'm satisfied she is malnourished, and then the paranoia on top of it, she may need to be hospitalized.

 

[dustysky]

If she is down to 75 pounds, it might be in your best interest to take her to the emergency room. I'm satisfied she is malnourished, and then the paranoia on top of it, she may need to be hospitalized.

I have done that, they did admit her and she checked herself out, they told me they would not admit her again if she signed the papers saying she was leaving against there will. At that time I took her for her genral health not the delusions.
Can a hospital do that? I will not be taking her back to that hospital, but I was a little shocked that they said it to start with.

 

[Cool-Beans]

I have done that, they did admit her and she checked herself out, they told me they would not admit her again if she signed the papers saying she was leaving against there will. At that time I took her for her genral health not the delusions.
Can a hospital do that? I will not be taking her back to that hospital, but I was a little shocked that they said it to start with.

No, they can't do that.

You really should get her to the hospital. A lot of things could be wrong. It might be something serious, it might not. But she ought to be checked out.

 

[stenickar]

Here in Maine you can have someone admitted to the hospital for 72 hours, whether they want to or not , to determine if the person is a danger to themself or others. If you have proof (like the police testimony) it should not be hard to get a judge to have her committed to a regular or pyschiatric hospital until she can become stabilized. As to how to get her there, tell her you have a
an appointment and want her to come with you. Use any excuse that you think will work, without causing her to much concern about you, to get her to come with you. Hope things work out for you and your family.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

I'm sure it could many things with a person of that age , but IMHO schizophrenia would not be on the top of the list . Do bring her to the doctor on Monday and have her evaluated thoroughly. She may have sign's of dementia or it could be an electrolyte imbalance or side effects from any meds she's on, etc.The doctor should have her blood drawn and tested. Hopefully he'll spend some time with you and you can tell him what has been going on with your Grandma. "Write down" all of her symptons and your concerns and bring them with you when you go to the doctors. This way you won't forget to tell the MD everything about grandma. Do ask him for a Social Service Referral and /or Elder Services to check in on Grandma later. Get ALL the support that you can from these services. I know it's not easy ...I've been there