MIL now being treated for Schizophrenia....

BeetleLinz1125 · September 2011

So let me just start off with I don't know if she's actually been diagnosed with it...but she showed DH the pills (Risperdal) she is taking and they are for Schizophrenics. I read up on the condition and she serioiusly matches like 90% of all of the symptoms. I must admit this scares me a little bit. I mean, we all knew she was off her rocker before this, but I don't think any of us were expecting this. Is anyone dealing with someone close to them that has Schizophrenia?

I don't think she would hurt DD at all...all of her anger is unfortunately directed at SIL, DH's little sis (this is her and DH's stepmom). I have no problem with DD being around MIL (as long as she is on her medication)....but I just didn't know if ther is anything that I should watch out for....

Any advice is great appreciated....thanks.

Hyfagal · September 2011

I'm going to be an ass here and say I wouldn't leave DD alone with her. I've known many people on psych meds and it seems to be a common theme that when they start feeling good they quit taking their meds and then crash into a crazy meltdown. I wouldn't take that chance with E. Your MIL may never do that but it's not a risk I would take.

jarobinson21 · September 2011

A close friend of mine is schizophrenic. As long as he is on his meds he is okay. I wouldn't let him babysit DS, but being around him isn't a problem. It really depends on how bad the hallucinations are when he doesn't take the meds. He can't drive then, because he is not sure if what he is seeing is real or not, he mostly doesn't go any where because crowds make it worse. When he is on his meds he is mostly normal acting.

BeetleLinz1125 · September 2011

Hyfagal:
I'm going to be an ass here and say I wouldn't leave DD alone with her. I've known many people on psych meds and it seems to be a common theme that when they start feeling good they quit taking their meds and then crash into a crazy meltdown. I wouldn't take that chance with E. Your MIL may never do that but it's not a risk I would take.

This was my first thought too...but DH seems to think that she will be OK with DD. I was even apprehensive leaving her with MIL before all of this because I know that she has pretty unstable moods...and I guess this is the reason why. I am kinda just stuck in a really hard place because I want DD to know her step-grandma(since her bio-grandma is deceased), but I don't know how to approach the whole situation. They literally live down the street from us, so they are always asking if I can bring her down there so they can see her, and always asking when the next time is they can have her overnight.

Hyfagal · September 2011

Then maybe talk to FIL and be honest that you want him present when she's at their house. He has to understand. If he doesn't then I wouldn't let her stay there without you. Period.

ITGurl0626 · September 2011

Hyfagal:
I'm going to be an ass here and say I wouldn't leave DD alone with her. I've known many people on psych meds and it seems to be a common theme that when they start feeling good they quit taking their meds and then crash into a crazy meltdown. I wouldn't take that chance with E. Your MIL may never do that but it's not a risk I would take.

I must agree with Hyfagal on this one. Bringing LO over for visits while you are present, no problem. But anything other than that, I wouldn't risk it. Stand yoru ground with your DH, this is your baby too.

vanfox · September 2011

You might want to find out her exact diagnosis first. Risperidone isn't only for schizophrenia -- sometimes it's prescribed for bipolar disorder, which while a very serious illness, doesn't include the hallucinatory side effects of schizophrenia. It's a pretty serious antipsychotic, however, so I'd definitely try to see if your husband can find out more about why exactly she's been prescribed that. I might or might not allow DS to be alone with someone on Risperdal depending on the individual's circumstances.

Bennett714 · September 2011

I wouldn't leave LO unsupervised with your MIL. Definitely not in the near future until MIL has been on meds for a while and you/she know there aren't any side effects that could make her more dangerous. I don't mean that to sound insensitive, it's all about safety.

BabymakesFIVE10 · September 2011

Supposedly my mother has this. About 3 times a year she will MAJORLY fly off the handle and she will go into the hospital, we won't see her for months all that. I don't leave her alone with any of my children, my oldest(almost 7) has been allowed to spend the night with her when my dad is there to watch her AND when I feel she is "normal", but those sleep overs have come to an end for now. Her last major blow up was when DD3 came home from the hospital and I had to kick her out of my house and she said DD1 was the only good thing that ever came from me and I would never keep DD away from her... needless to say, we don't go around much and when we do it's only for my dads sake. but she's never left alone when any of them. ever.

leanne_marie1 · September 2011

vanfox:
You might want to find out her exact diagnosis first. Risperidone isn't only for schizophrenia -- sometimes it's prescribed for bipolar disorder, which while a very serious illness, doesn't include the hallucinatory side effects of schizophrenia. It's a pretty serious antipsychotic, however, so I'd definitely try to see if your husband can find out more about why exactly she's been prescribed that. I might or might not allow DS to be alone with someone on Risperdal depending on the individual's circumstances.

I was just going to say this. It can also be used for people having problems with aggressiveness and anger due to dementia. Just remember that having a diagnosis won't change anything about her behavior - she's not going to become 10x worse just because there is a label on her. Since you seem to have been dealing with her behavior for quite a while my main concern now would be possible side effects of the medication. From what I have seen it can cause extreme drowsiness and fainting, which would be a major concern if she's going to be holding a baby, even if you're there.

whyteoleander · September 2011

Hyfagal:
Then maybe talk to FIL and be honest that you want him present when she's at their house. He has to understand. If he doesn't then I wouldn't let her stay there without you. Period.

This. It's a pretty intense drug, and you do NOT want to run the risk of something happening to DS because you didn't want to insist on her being monitored. I would highly recommend against leaving her alone with your MIL, regardless if she's on drugs or not, if she's having a "good" day or not. Your baby's safety is THE most important thing.

BeetleLinz1125 · September 2011

leanne_marie1:

vanfox:
You might want to find out her exact diagnosis first. Risperidone isn't only for schizophrenia -- sometimes it's prescribed for bipolar disorder, which while a very serious illness, doesn't include the hallucinatory side effects of schizophrenia. It's a pretty serious antipsychotic, however, so I'd definitely try to see if your husband can find out more about why exactly she's been prescribed that. I might or might not allow DS to be alone with someone on Risperdal depending on the individual's circumstances.

I was just going to say this. It can also be used for people having problems with aggressiveness and anger due to dementia. Just remember that having a diagnosis won't change anything about her behavior - she's not going to become 10x worse just because there is a label on her. Since you seem to have been dealing with her behavior for quite a while my main concern now would be possible side effects of the medication. From what I have seen it can cause extreme drowsiness and fainting, which would be a major concern if she's going to be holding a baby, even if you're there.

I totally understand....It honestly just explains her behavior. I want to get the full story, but I'm afraid she won't tell me for fear that she thinks I won't let DD around her if I know. And FIL is pretty much the "whatever" type...just goes with the flow of what everyone else is doing and doesn't ask questions. So I doubt he has a full understanding of the situation. My major concerns are 1. if she were to go off of the medication 2. side effects of the medication 3. what are we treating(schizophrenia vs bipolar) 4. signs that she needs more help than the medication. I guess I am going to have to have a chat with her...I want to be here for her and not feel like I am taking DD away from her...but I have to know what is going on so that DD is safe with her grandma.

rickandcaitlin · September 2011

My dh is bipolar and border line shizophrenic. And honestly he is a stay at home dad. He is medicated but even when he goes off his meds he knows his limits and knows to walk out of the room or direct his emotions at something otehr then the kids. I think everyone is over reacting. I highly doubt she is goign to do something to hurt LO.

toadstool · September 2011

My MIL suffers from this. She is in total denial about it. In her opinion, she could watch LO, no problem. I would never leave my child alone with her.

Here's the thing. You trust certain people with your kid and you try your best to pick someone who is qualified to take care of them when you are away. But you never know what kind of crazy, first time ever thing could happen. You take that risk with anyone. But, if something ever happened to your kid under her care(even if it was the first time she ever did anything remotely like that) you would never forgive yourself because you knew before hand that she was unstable enough to be taking those drugs.

That's just my two cents.

pixiern · September 2011

rickandcaitlin:
My dh is bipolar and border line shizophrenic. And honestly he is a stay at home dad. He is medicated but even when he goes off his meds he knows his limits and knows to walk out of the room or direct his emotions at something otehr then the kids. I think everyone is over reacting. I highly doubt she is goign to do something to hurt LO.

I don't think anyone is overreacting. I had an aunt who was schizophrenic and seeing someone go through something like that is not overreacting. I'm glad you DH is able to walk out of the room but when someone is in a full paranoid state they aren't thinking and why would one put their child in that situation.

BeetleLinz1125 · September 2011

pixiern:

rickandcaitlin:
My dh is bipolar and border line shizophrenic. And honestly he is a stay at home dad. He is medicated but even when he goes off his meds he knows his limits and knows to walk out of the room or direct his emotions at something otehr then the kids. I think everyone is over reacting. I highly doubt she is goign to do something to hurt LO.

I don't think anyone is overreacting. I had an aunt who was schizophrenic and seeing someone go through something like that is not overreacting. I'm glad you DH is able to walk out of the room but when someone is in a full paranoid state they aren't thinking and why would one put their child in that situation.

I agree...it sounds like her husband has a good handle on his condtion for the most part and is getting the help he needs in order to be a fully functioning person. My MIL, not the case. I see her at her worst, and I honestly had a lot of concerns before DD even was born about her being around DD alone. This just confirms that she has some issues she needs help with, whether it is schizophrenia or bipolar/anger issues. I think I am going to have to talk with her (unfortunately) because I need to know what is going on before I let her be around DD again.

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