Schizophrenia ? What a mess :(

[dmslush]

Just take her in to the ER and tell them that she has been delusional and you are concerned for her safety. If she really thinks the neighbor is going to harm her, then she may barricade herself in her home, or worse yet, actually do something to the neighbor.

 

[dustysky]

Just take her in to the ER and tell them that she has been delusional and you are concerned for her safety. If she really thinks the neighbor is going to harm her, then she may barricade herself in her home, or worse yet, actually do something to the neighbor.

This is my big fear right now.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Yes, you can be hospitalized against your consent if: you are a danger to yourself or others.

 

[dmslush]

This is my big fear right now.

I can't imagine how you are feeling, and I'm sorry you are having to go through this. It's tough when it is the ones that we love.

 

[TinkandAriel]

My dh's uncle is paranoid schizophrenic, and may I emphasize the paranoid part? He'd be at fil's house, which is on the edge of thousands of acres of nothing but woods, and say "They're watching, can't you feel them?? They're in the woods, just watching" I'm telling you, you'd believe him after just a few minutes and find yourself looking in the woods for something or someone to be watching.
He was fine if he was on his meds...well, alright, he was okay if on his meds, never nearly "normal", but then he'd start feeling better and stop taking the meds. While off his meds, he shot a state trooper (they were on his property after an altercation, trying to get him to the hospital bc they knew his background). Now, he's more than likely going to be institutionalized for a long, long time.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

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.

Agreed...
My MIL has schizophrenia, so been dealing with it for many years now. In fact she is doing the best she has EVER been since she has been on Zyprexa.

You are dealing with dementia brought on by "something"....could be anything from a stroke, dehydration, thyroid, isolation, who knows?
She needs medical treatment pronto!

 

[dmslush]

My dh's uncle is paranoid schizophrenic, and may I emphasize the paranoid part? He'd be at fil's house, which is on the edge of thousands of acres of nothing but woods, and say "They're watching, can't you feel them?? They're in the woods, just watching" I'm telling you, you'd believe him after just a few minutes and find yourself looking in the woods for something or someone to be watching.
He was fine if he was on his meds...well, alright, he was okay if on his meds, never nearly "normal", but then he'd start feeling better and stop taking the meds. While off his meds, he shot a state trooper (they were on his property after an altercation, trying to get him to the hospital bc they knew his background). Now, he's more than likely going to be institutionalized for a long, long time.

That is what is so sad about mental illnesses. Many times, when the person gets on meds an starts feeling better, they stop taking the meds because they think they don't need it anymore. It is vicious circle.

 

[themarquis]

I'd agree with the other posters that it would be unlikely to be schizophrenia at her age -- but it does really sound like dementia.

I'm so sorry you're going through this ... my family had a similar situation with my grandmother, who like your mom, had always been a bit "off". Over the course of a couple of years, she became increasingly strange and started having paranoid symptoms. She, like your grandma, became convinced that the neighbors were plotting against her. She started hoarding stuff (makeup, medications, old food). She became suspicious of even the most innocuous conversation. At times she became confused about where she was (she'd claim that other people had "moved" her in the middle of the night to a "new" house).

She was initially evaluated as having some kind of dementia, but it was only when she was put in the hospital for another problem (a mild stroke) that her true diagnosis started to become apparent. She basically became psychotic after a couple of days in the hospital. Turns out that some of her bizarre behavior normally and the psychosis when hospitalized was due to some medications she was taking (pain meds of some kind). She had had several different drs and they all gave her different prescriptions, and it was confusing for her to remember when/how much to take. ... so for *years* she had been overdosing herself on pain meds! When she went into the hospital, she went into withdrawal, which made her psychotic!

Anyway, this is just one of many things that can happen to older people that manifests as behavioral symptoms. It might be worth checking out what meds she's taking currently ... and when she gets a full eval, bring her medication bottles with her so that they know what she's taking and can see if the meds are causing any problems.

I hope you find a resolution to the problem -- if you do choose to take her to the E.R (probably good), you could tell her you're worried she's sick because she's "not herself" lately... that might fly ... you could *try* explaining that sometimes whe people are sick, they do or say things that seem normal to them, but are not, and arent' aware of this. However, if she is very paranoid, this might not work (she might think you're plotting against her). The important thing is to get her seen asap, however you have to do it (even if you have to trick her into it!)

 

[kinntj]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. Yep, she needs to be hospitalized if she's not eating and she's doing harm to herself this way. How your grandmother is stating that the other person is doing this and that, sounds like dimentia. My sister has schizophrenia and was diagnosed at 25.

They will definately hold her for starving herself, because normally people don't do that unless there is some underlying problems. Unfortunately, if they don't find anything wrong with her mind they will release her. Happened with my sister. My mom and dad were at their wits end with the system, but they have to side with the patient and their rights as well. Very frustrating.

My mom finally called on my sister last week (called the local adult protection services) and the sheriff came to pick her up. The lady my mom was talking to could hear the yelling my sister was doing in the background and was worried for my moms safety. My sister paces alot and yells obsenities (so bad that even sailors ears would bleed). It's like the devil is coming out of her, even though I know she believes in the Lord and went to church when she was mentally able to. My mom would call me during these fits, because my mom wanted to listen to reason while this was going on so she wouldn't lose her mind.

Now she/sister is not taking phone calls from anyone and not eating. They are coming close to force feeding her though IV/tube. My mom called because she was starting to hit her (she hadn't done that before, just mental abuse/yelling). Her psychiatrist can't put her on full dose anti psychotic medication because of her liver and it tends to damage it further. There are varies of schizophrenia and my sister hears things in her mind, radio, but she doesn't hallucinate or see things at least that I've been told by my dad. My dad just went to court to become my sisters guardian, so he can help make decisions on where she needs to go. She will never go back to live with my mom again. All I can say is never go along with a persons dimentia or hallucinations. It doesn't help them to do that, I just ask my sister why the government thinks they need to keep tabs on her? Then I just let it go. I never agree with her.

I know all about it and it's very frustrating. Hugs to you and your grandma.

 

[tink1978]

Social services have so many people to deal with they are not much of a help at all....I understand...and I work with them some through my clients. Anyway, getting her to a doctor is the first step you should take. How old is your grandmother....if she is elderly, you may want to have her tested for Alzheimer's or other form of dementia first. If she is schizophrenic, she would have had these same delusions, etc since her early 20's or earlier.

 

[dustysky]

Social services have so many people to deal with they are not much of a help at all....I understand...and I work with them some through my clients. Anyway, getting her to a doctor is the first step you should take. How old is your grandmother....if she is elderly, you may want to have her tested for Alzheimer's or other form of dementia first. If she is schizophrenic, she would have had these same delusions, etc since her early 20's or earlier.

Hi, she will be 74 in Dec.

 

[dustysky]

Hi everyone, I have read all your replys and MAN I love that this board is so willing and ready to help, thank you all for that

I just wanted to let you all know that I am choosing to not take her to the ER. e I fear VERY much that in that case IF the treatment is not given to her that she needs (a problem here in our local hospitals) then I will be the one who is *the enemy*, I surly do not want that to happen.

My grandmother is on a government program that pays a portion of her rent (section 8) she lost EVERYTHING to Hurricane Charley, the lot that her apartment was in is now just an empty lot.

The apartment that she is in now is on the third floor and the office has agreed to move her to a first floor unit. In order to get her to the Dr. I am going to tell her she needs a check-up in order for section 8 to agree to move her. I know it sounds far-fetched but I have no idea what else to say that will not *turn* her on me.

 

[chris1gill]

This is my big fear right now.

OMG, that just occurred to me! This is common with people who are have delusions... I think you should NOT wait... bring her to the hospital and have her admitted on the psychiatric basis, they can keep her as someone said, 72 hours... during that time, they can figure out why she weighs only 75 pounds. How old is she may I ask?

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Hi everyone, I have read all your replys and MAN I love that this board is so willing and ready to help, thank you all for that

I just wanted to let you all know that I am choosing to not take her to the ER. e I fear VERY much that in that case IF the treatment is not given to her that she needs (a problem here in our local hospitals) then I will be the one who is *the enemy*, I surly do not want that to happen.

My grandmother is on a government program that pays a portion of her rent (section 8) she lost EVERYTHING to Hurricane Charley, the lot that her apartment was in is now just an empty lot.

The apartment that she is in now is on the third floor and the office has agreed to move her to a first floor unit. In order to get her to the Dr. I am going to tell her she needs a check-up in order for section 8 to agree to move her. I know it sounds far-fetched but I have no idea what else to say that will not *turn* her on me.

Sounds like a great strategy to me ....like I said yesterday ,write down all her symptons on a piece of paper and bring it with you to the MD's office tomorrow. If he is a well know and respected doctor then he will give her a full work-up and lab tests and maybe even a CAT Scan of the brain . Who knows they may even admit her for further testing. Bring a list of all medication that she may be on too! Also do ask for help when and if she is allowed back home ....so you are not left to deal with this alone. They must have an elder service agency/social service agency where you live that the doctors office can set up a referral with. This may be a long process in getting her the right help she needs and remember to "be assertive" in asking for all the help she needs. There is help out there,just don't be afraid to ask for it I went thru two situations similar to what you are going thru with your grandma. My mother had a cancer of the lungs/ brain and my father had a meningitis illness that left him with many neurological symptoms .It is very scary dealing with the unknown. Hopefully some of your questions will be answered tomorrow at the MD's Best of Luck

 

[minkydog]

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 agree. She is malnourished and probably her electrolytes are imbalanced. That will make people act out and lose their judgement. But whether this is dementia or one of a thousand other things, you have to act--she obviously is not capable of caring for herself any longer. If she really does have guns in the house, take them away before she kills the neighbor.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Something has to be wrong with her....74 is pretty young.
Heck my mom is almost 69 and works full-time as a LPN nurse on an Alzheimers wing in a nursing home.

Good Luck and be strong!!!!!!

 

[dustysky]

I agree. She is malnourished and probably her electrolytes are imbalanced. That will make people act out and lose their judgement. But whether this is dementia or one of a thousand other things, you have to act--she obviously is not capable of caring for herself any longer. If she really does have guns in the house, take them away before she kills the neighbor.

O-Gosh NO, she THINKS the neighbors have guns. She does NOT have guns.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Any updates on how your Grandma is doing?

 

[Cool-Beans]

How is your grandmother doing?

 

[chris1gill]

Any word?