Family, and others close, angonize over our daughter/sister who suffers immensely from paranoia, but who lacks insight to know that the problems perceived are from within rather than external, and regarding which she firmly believes and is not open to exploring helpful suggestions from others. She is med compliant to best of our knowledge, and involved with a couple of peer groups, but the hallucinations and paranoia she experiences on a daily basis are devastating to her. Any advice will be appreciated.

Does her prescriber know that she still has strong hallucinations and paranoia? I can only speak from my own experience, but I was compliant with three different medications (Zyprexa, Geodon and Risperdal) that did nothing for me, and then, when I was prescribed Abilify (which, ironically, is considered the lightest of the medications), I finally had insight into my condition. I previously had paranoia and auditory hallucinations, and Abilify has completely eliminated the paranoia and almost all of the voices. I hear voices once every few months now. Every person's chemistry is different, of course, so the medication that works for one person might not work for another, but I just wonder whether her prescriber has tried a variety of medications. I was in the psychiatric unit of a hospital twice before my medication was figured out.

Confute,
Thank you...really appreciate your feedback. If I may, I question the frequency of hallucinations and paranoia you experienced, whether on a daily basis or less frequent? I did check out Abilify. One source indicated for SZ it might be appropriate for ages 13 to 17, but will check further. Our loved one is in mid 40s, following diagnosis of Schizoaffective Disorder at age 19. One hope we have for improvement is in her current interest in NAMI's new program called WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan), which to my knowledge is provided on an individual basis to aid consumers in their recovery. NAMI, being family based and sincerely interested in seeking answers and solutions, was there years ago and has been a significant source of help over time.
Regards,
Rosmar

I'm 40. I developed paranoid schizophrenia at 29 and was undiagnosed until 36. An outside observer wouldn't have noticed the transition from a bad attitude in my 20s to schizophrenia, other than that I started talking to "myself" at 29. I believed I had a camera implanted in my face that was broadcast on the Internet, a la "The Truman Show" (my case manager tells me schizophrenic delusions are very cultural). The first year was fairly rough, but then I "adapted" for five years, and then my symptoms worsened the seventh year. By the time I was hospitalized, I thought people were muttering comments at me constantly wherever I went and speaking in loud voices at me through the walls of my apartment. I also had voices inside my head, which I believed were the hosts of my Internet show, and I believed everyone I met could read my mind. I believed I was going to be tortured and murdered. I could hear the voices I perceived as my neighbors every waking minute, as well as the voices inside my head. I finally couldn't take it anymore and started yelling back at my neighbors, which got me three visits by the police, the third of which resulted in a hospital stay. Placebo effects did work to a point with me. I liked the hospital and heard fewer voices, and, prior to my hospitalization, I started wearing earplugs so I could sleep. When an earplug fell out during the night, I started hearing my "neighbors" again. Needless to say, I'm now a big fan of Abilify. That said, medications work differently for each person. I'm just wondering whether her prescriber has tried different medications. In my case, the fourth try was the charm. My parents completed NAMI's Family-to-Family program after I was diagnosed, and they really like NAMI. I've actually never been involved with NAMI, but I do volunteer at a socialization program for the mentally ill, even though my own social skills aren't very impressive. I just help members with computer skills. Since my diagnosis, I've gone back to school and earned an associate's degree in web site development. It's a big improvement from contemplating suicide as a means to avoid torture and murder. I know I'm lucky to be in the third who make a "full recovery" from schizophrenia, and I hope your loved one will be lucky as well.

Thanks Confute for sharing...your 'challenging' experiences sound a lot like my daughter's..extremely torturous. She lives in a secure, friendly community (subsidized apt), which should be her 'refuge from the world' but is anything but as she is afraid to be there and spends as much time out of it as possible. She, on a daily basis relates experiencing 'personal physical attackings, people within the walls, belief that people are in the apt when she's out, glass cutting her feet' and on and on. I often observe her 'distractions' as she responds to voices, etc. The major issue here is that she isn't aware of her illness, inspite of numerous hospitalizations over time, believes the med causes her problems (Clozaril..is on as high a dose as her Psychiatrist advises), thus her refusal to take anything new, and the doctor's reluctance to force her as she then starts pushing away from treatment. She has been attending NAMI's 'Connections Group', weekly for some months, and seems to like it, fortunately. The SZ, being a chemical imbalance as I understand it, likely needs additional medication, i.e. chemicals, to relieve the current 'horrendous' symptoms. I, like your parents, attended Family to Family and got a lot out of it. My daughter took in a kittie some months ago, we in hopes that it would bring some relief and joy into her life, which it has done. She calls the police, often, when she can't take it any longer. Progress, improvement is slow. I'm glad to hear of yours, and congratulations! Gives me hope that it is possible..RM