A simple posting to help sort out some issues.

I kept wondering what else I could possibly do to help my son with healing.  I took a deep look at my family, (hubby, mother in law, my son and as well as myself.)

I went through a faze of being swamped by his illness, and often neglecting my own needs. Often forgetting the needs of my husband, daughter and grandchildren. 

Coping with my son. 

A few days.. years in my life. Trying to help my son "cope" 

When a family member comes home from the hospital/clinic, many of their symptoms might be reduced or gone. Yet some may remain.

By remaining calm, and by maintaining a positive environment for them helps them to recover. Educate yourself on their illness

Imagine waking up one day and find that you feel different. It’s hard to say exactly what’s different but you find yourself thinking unusual thoughts. Yet nothing of importance 

Oh how hard this is at time, knowing that before all these episodes he was happy and healthy. But each year his mental illness took over his life. Until he became a different person.

Why do we sleep? One way to study the need for sleep is to look at the effects of total sleep deprivation. It has been known for a long time that sleep has a detrimental effect; something used to good effect by the military for generations 

It finally happened. 

Some or all of the following may be helpful in coping when mental illness strikes the family. Share this with your family members, friends and other caregivers. 

I found that sharing this very helpful, admitting that at times I forget to keep myself in check. 

Yet after awhile realizing that I am also only human, a mother, a wife, a sister and a friend.

This is part of how we as a family have learned to cope and understand my son. 

 Family members play an important role in helping to keep their schizophrenic/ psychosis    relatives supported and oriented.

It was hard trying to understand and to be there to help my son, I needed to remember that when he was diagnosed with Bipolar and Schizoaffective disorder. It was not only my son that had questions and wonder how he would cope. I wondered how to help and cope with his diagnosis 

Watching my son slip back into the darkness only he knows as life. Has given me meaning to do the best I can to help him. He is 26 years of age, yet his actions are feeble minded like a boy of 12 years of age. My heart bleeds for him and I know that I have done the best I can/could do for him during those dark times in his life.