Our Story of Hope Coninues

Despite my son’s recent family stressors, he did not experience a relapse. I credit his success in handling the past few weeks with the relapse plan that he and his healthcare providers created many years ago.

Research indicates that many individuals who are treated successfully with schizophrenia may still face a possible relapse. Of course, this can occur when someone stops taking medication without medical approval but this is not always the cause of a relapse. Sometimes, medication changes or even a medication that has been working may begin to fail even though it once was effective and may lead to a relapse. Engaging in substance abuse or alcohol abuse can trigger relapses. Other times, excessive stress can cause break through symptoms.

Jacob has had only one major relapse that forced him to take a break from his college classes for a semester and one brief relapse that resulted in a job performance issue. The first relapse appeared to be related to excessive stress during his senior year in college. At the time he was writing his thesis, living without roommates that year, and possibly worrying about life after graduation. Returning home and entering an outpatient program eventually helped him gain his independence and his ability to finish school. The second relapse was related to a medication change that just didn’t work for him. His increased agitation led to misunderstandings with his employer.

Since that time, he and his treatment team have identified signs that he can use as early warnings to indicate when he may be on the verge of a relapse. Early signs for him include increased agitation, paranoia, and/or sleeplessness. His first relapse also included the return of harmful auditory hallucinations. When he can identify these early signs, he can prevent a full relapse. Usually, at this point, all he has to do is call his psychiatrist who can add, increase, or reduce medications. Sometimes, just taking a break or sleeping will divert symptom breakthrough.

Because of this pre-planning and continued therapeutic support, he has been successfully recovered for over 20 years. The fact that he faced his present stressors – his wife’s major medical crises two weeks ago – is a testament to him and his treatment. Throughout the experience, he managed like any other spouse whose wife needed care. While I should have expected that to happen, old fears were certainly creeping into my brain. What an amazing relief to observe his resiliency. Who would have thought 23 years ago that we would be able to see these kinds of changes.

For those of you who are dealing with a new diagnosis or have not yet found the treatment that works, do not give up. Our story continues to be one of hope.