Does my mom have a mental illness quiz
Quiz: What Mental Illness Does My Mom Have?
Do you feel something's not going right with your mother, lately? Can it be a mental health issue? If you've ever wondered what mental illness my mom has, this quiz can help you get a primary insight. Mental illness can be hard to recognize in a person. If you feel your mother is going through something adverse, it is always best to get as much information as possible. We are here to guide you in the process. Give this super informative quiz a try! We know that supporting a family member can be challenging but it's worth it! We wish you all the very best!
You May Get
We Are Not So Sure!
We are not so sure if your mother may have any mental illness. We suggest you retake this quiz to get a better idea. Please remember it is no substitute for a proper mental health diagnosis. It is best to reach out to other adult or mental health professionals for better guidance. We wish you good luck!
Depressive Disorder
It seems that your mother may be suffering from a depressive disorder. Depression can be characterized as a persistent feeling of prolonged sadness and mood fluctuations. We congratulate you on taking proactive measures toward your mother's mental health. Please note the quiz is no substitute for proper diagnosis. We suggest you contact an adult or mental health care professional for help.
& many more results.
Start this quiz to find your result.
Questions and Answers
1.
Has your mother been experiencing paranoia or stress lately?
A. 
Yeah
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
2.
What about her sleeping habits? Have you been noticing a considerable fluctuation in her sleep pattern? (i.e. sleeping too much or too little)
A. 
Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D.
 Not sure
3.
Social withdrawal can be a warning sign of mental illness. Has she been avoiding social contact with her friends and family?
A. 
Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
4.
What about her mood? Has she been experiencing extreme mood fluctuations lately?
A. 
Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
5.
Has she been under a lot of stress lately?
A. 
Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
6.
Does she gets obsessive about cleanliness or has a particular way of doing things that might seem unnatural?
A.
 Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
7.
Has your mother been acting unempathetic or uncaring lately? Has she been distant from the family?
A. 
Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
8.
Do you feel your mother has hoarding tendencies?
A. 
Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
9.
Did you notice any significant changes in her appetite or eating habits?
A. 
Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
10.
Has your mother been experiencing lots of anger outbursts lately?
A. 
Yes
B. 
Somewhat
C. 
No
D. 
Not sure
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Is Your Mother a Psychopath?
Questions Excerpt
1. Would your mom feel guilty for stealing $1,000 out of your bank account?
A. No, she has stolen money from multiple family members and shows no remorse
B. She would probably feel pretty rotten taking a huge amount
C. She would never do that
2. Does your mother have a hard time keeping jobs?
A. She has lost a few jobs due to failing to follow the rules
B. No, she has had a stable job for years.
C. Yes, she loses jobs all the time for violating employee code of conduct
3. Has it ever seemed like your mom makes the same mistakes over and over?
A.
She occasionally makes mistakes, just like everyone else
B. She does sometimes repeat the same mistakes, which is incredibly frustrating
C. She repeatedly makes the same mistakes and sees no wrong in her behavior
4. Has your mother ever been in trouble with the law?
A. She has committed criminal offenses repeatedly
B. Aside from the occasional speeding ticket, she has a clean record.
C. She has gotten in trouble a few times for petty offenses
5. Does your mother respond well to authority?
A. No. She doesn’t feel the need to listen to authority at all
B. She has had a few squabbles with bosses as she needs authority figures to earn her respect
C. She is able to listen to authority, especially in situations where it counts, like at work.
6. How would your mother be likely to respond if someone close to her experienced the death of a loved one?
A. She would show sympathy and send a card.
B. She would probably be rather indifferent as she doesn’t show emotion well
C.
She would be likely to make a callous remark
7. Is your mother someone you would describe as arrogant?
A. Absolutely, she is incredibly haughty and finds herself to be superior to others
B. She definitely feels pretty high on herself, even when it’s not warranted.
C. I wouldn’t say that. She’s just as humble as the next person.
8. Does your mother have a good sense of right and wrong?
A. She is someone who thinks it is okay to bend the rules, even if it hurts someone
B. Yes, she knows what is okay and what is not okay.
C. Not at all. She is willing to violate people’s rights and even hurt people
9. Would you describe your mother as being a risk-taker?
A. No more than the average person.
B. She can be a little impulsive at times.
C. She is incredibly impulsive and takes serious risks
10. Is your mother nice to others but mean to you?
A. Yes, for sure
B. Sometimes
C. Not at all
11. Does she apologize for her mistakes?
A.
Yes, for sure
B. Sometimes
C. Not at all
12. How would she react if she sees someone crying?
A. She would console them and try to help them feel better
B. It depends on who it is
C. She won’t do anything
13. Do you feel emotional and physically safe around her?
A. Yes, for sure
B. Sometimes
C. Not at all
14. Do you feel that she manipulates you and others to her advantage?
A. Yes, for sure
B. Sometimes
C. Not at all
15. How likely would your mom be to act out violently if confronted?
A. She might yell at someone to defend herself
B. She escalates to violence quickly if she feels threatened
C. If she felt the need to defend herself, she wouldn’t hesitate to throw a few punches.
Test for Bipolar Affective Disorder
This test is recommended for people who experience systematic episodes of unexplained mood changes in their lives, both positive and negative.
Bipolar affective disorder (abbr. BAD , formerly manic-depressive psychosis or MDP) is a mental illness that manifests itself in the form of an alternation of mood background: from excellent / super-excellent (hypomania / mania phase) to reduced (depressive phase). The duration and frequency of phase alternation can vary from daily fluctuations to fluctuations throughout the year. nine0005
This test is a Russian version for detecting hypomanic conditions, the original name is HCL-32 (Hypomania Checklist) .
Typically used to detect BAD type II among patients with a current diagnosis of RDD (recurrent depressive disorder).
I remind you: this disease is unambiguously related to pathology, only a psychiatrist or psychotherapist can deal with diagnosis and treatment.
Instructions for filling
Try to recall a period of "elevated" state, which at the same time was not caused by drugs or alcohol and lasted more than two days (4-6 days in a row).
How did you feel then?
Please answer the questions about how you felt while on the rise no matter how you feel today.
Lifting I:
| 1. Sleep less. nine0005 Yes |
| 2. More energetic and active. Yes |
| 3. More self-confident. Yes |
| 4. I get more pleasure from work. Yes |
| 5. Become more sociable (more often on the phone, more often in society). Yes |
| 6. I want to travel, and I do travel more. Yes |
| 7. My driving style is becoming more relaxed. Yes |
| 8. I spend more/too much money. Yes |
| 9. Yes |
| 10. I am very physically active (sports, etc.). Yes |
| 11. I make more plans and projects. Yes |
| 12. I have more creative ideas. Yes |
| 13. I am less shy and reserved. Yes |
| 14. I dress more flamboyantly and extravagantly/I wear more make-up. Yes |
| 15. I have an increasing need for communication or I really communicate with a large number of people. Yes |
| 16. I have an increased interest in sex and/or increased sexual desire. Yes |
| 17. I flirt more often and/or have more sexual activity. nine0005 Yes |
| 18. Yes |
| 19. I think faster. Yes |
| 20. In conversations, I often joke and pun. Yes |
| 21. I am more easily distracted. Yes |
| 22. I find many new things to do. nine0005 Yes |
| 23. My thoughts jump from one topic to another. Yes |
| 24. I do everything faster and easier. Yes |
| 25. I am more impatient and/or irritated more quickly. Yes |
| 26. I can tire and annoy others. Yes |
| 27. I get into conflict situations more often. Yes |
| 28. I am in high spirits and more optimistic. Yes |
| 29. Yes |
| 30. I smoke more. Yes |
| nine0002 31. I drink more alcohol. Yes |
| 32. I take more medication. Yes |
In everyday life, I take more risks (at work and / or other activities). nine0005 
I talk more. 
I drink more coffee. - An overview of major mood disorders (article).
- Bipolar spectrum diagnostic scale (test).
- Young Mania Scale (test).
Video
All about bipolar disorder, or what is really hidden behind the "bipolar"? Part 1
Advanced Bipolar Disorder. Part 2
How to Know if Your Parents Have a Mental Illness (and What to Do Now) - The Knife
In our society, a "good mother" is the default setting. And if a woman does not fulfill her duties, then something is definitely wrong with her, perhaps she is mentally ill. Terrible fathers are much less likely to be suspected of insanity.
But this idea of parenthood is far from reality. There can be no innate instinctive knowledge that a child needs personal space, that a teenager's opinion must be reckoned with, or that constant criticism and repression harms his development no less than beatings. nine0005
The experience of parenthood does not make anyone a saint: mothers and fathers, like any other people, can be cruel, selfish, immoral people. Not to mention the fact that ideas about a good upbringing change quickly, and what was the norm for our grandmothers seems to us savagery (for example, to intimidate a child with a policeman and force them to finish eating porridge).
It's hard to wrap your head around, but in most cases of child abuse, quite healthy people are guilty, who are fully responsible for their actions. nine0358
Only in some cases, the reason for the bad behavior of parents is a mental disorder. We will not talk about specific diagnoses, since most people suffering from mental problems in their 40s and 60s have never been to a psychiatrist.
We will talk about common symptoms, how they affect the children of such parents, and what you can do to improve your life.
Totality of violation and harm to oneself: how to distinguish pathology
How to distinguish healthy behavior of parents from unhealthy? The difficulty is that even specialists cannot draw a clear line between the norm and pathology. There is a whole range of options between a character trait (which psychologists call accentuation) to a disease, which can also be expressed to varying degrees. There are borderline disorders - conditions on the verge between health and illness, when, under stress, a person is "carried out" inappropriately. nine0005
For example, every person experiences anxiety from time to time. Mom is worried that a small child will hit, and in order to prevent this, she closes the sharp corners in the apartment.
Anxiety can be increased: the mother is afraid that the child will hit, and forbids him to ride roller skates and bicycles.
Anxiety can be pathological: the child has grown up a long time ago, but the mother continues to worry that he might break. When he goes on a trip, she calls and reads the safety instructions or just throws a tantrum. If this happens, but in some unusual situations for the mother, this is most likely also within the normal range. If it is regular, perhaps it is about anxiety disorder .
There are some general signs that may suggest pathology.
First of all, it is the totality of the violation : a mental disorder affects all spheres of a person's life, manifests itself in many situations and accompanies him throughout his life.
Most often, the disorder develops in youth, before 20-30 years of age. With age, it can increase or, on the contrary, be compensated under favorable living conditions and developed self-control. nine0005
Women around the age of 50 are at risk: against the background of age-related hormonal changes, anxiety and depression may increase, and in rare cases, a more serious mental illness may begin.
Men and women with certain somatic diseases are at risk: these are circulatory disorders of the brain, sleep disorders, some hormonal disorders, long-term severe diseases that deplete the body. All this can physically affect the functioning of the brain and cause malfunctions. nine0005
Secondly, no matter how unpleasant the “difficult parent” may be, he himself suffers most from his insanity. Every day he experiences a lot of unpleasant emotions and experiences, for years he lives with feelings of fear, irritation, pain, depression.
If healthy people worry about problems, for an unhealthy person, everyday life itself is a problem. "Narcissists" and "sociopaths" also suffer: the former from the strongest shame for their imperfection, the latter from inner emptiness. In old age, the condition of such people, as a rule, worsens: depression, anxiety or paranoia come to the fore, because of these qualities they are most often alone and not realized. nine0005
If a relative mocks you, but at the same time shines with cheerfulness and complacency, the problem is not in illness, but in his personality.
Thirdly, a mentally ill person treats his behavior uncritically.
Most often, he does not understand why he is so unbearable for you, and can even sincerely consider himself a victim (a victim of "ungrateful" children, "stupid" colleagues, "envious" friends, or even a whole conspiracy against his person).
Fourthly, a person is not able to get rid of these "shortcomings" of his own free will. Even if he really wants to, he is unable to stop being suspicious, suspicious, gloomy, manipulative. Over the years, many people successfully learn to hide their oddities, but this does not mean that they stop thinking and feeling inadequately. nine0005
Why dig into the mental disorders of parents
Perhaps you are wondering why to dig into the causes of inappropriate behavior at all? Isn't it better to just run as fast as you can from such a person?
The point is that understanding a problem is the way to solve it. First of all, the patient's condition can be improved with the help of medications, psychotherapy and a healthy lifestyle.
There are many cases when domestic scandals and tantrums stopped after a course of well-chosen pills. Anxiety, irritability, chronically depressed mood, outbursts of aggression, insomnia - all these are symptoms that you can really get rid of. nine0358
Even if it is impossible to convince your parents to get medical treatment, you can change your attitude towards their antics: perceive them not as evil tyrants or unfortunate martyrs, but as unhealthy people from whom it is useless to expect adequacy.
The most sensible strategy in dealing with mentally ill parents is not forgiveness (which many psychologists like to advise), but acceptance.
See also:
What is the difference between forgiveness and acceptance - and why you can not forgive parents
Acceptance of the fact that this person is not able to give you the love and understanding that you dreamed about as a child and maybe still dream about. It is unlikely that he/she will ever get better or repent of past mistakes.
It is also unlikely that he/she will be a better grandparent to grandchildren than he/she was a parent.
Instead of endlessly waiting for the impossible, you should direct your efforts to help yourself: create a comfortable distance for you in communication with your parents and look for support where it can be given. nine0005
Pathologically Anxious Parents
“My mother knew that I would have a difficult and long drive with two small children. I asked her not to distract me without a good reason. But while I was on the road, she cut off the phone: 20 calls and 40 messages! And this is to inform me that the wind has increased by several meters per second and she is afraid that something will fall on my car. If I answered her calls every time, I would definitely bump into something, ”- quite a typical story from the life of an adult daughter of pathologically anxious parents. nine0005
Anxious parents are constantly worried: that something will happen to their children, that their personal life or career will not work out, that it will work out, but somehow it’s not right .
..
There is neither measure nor logic in these worries. They control: they demand the most detailed reports about the life of adult children and at the same time they can find fault with every little thing. They are horrified when something unexpected and unusual happens to them.
But even when nothing happens, they are still worried, because "it can't be so calm, my heart feels, something terrible will happen." nine0005
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental disorder in the world, and among middle-aged and older Russian women it is especially common. And although these disorders are very common, they are diagnosed and treated in Russia many times less than in Western countries.
Mom (rarely dad) does not mock you on purpose and does not pretend: anxiety can be so strong that an ordinary person is not able to withstand it.
“I can’t eat and even breathe because of my worries”, “my heart hurts for you” are not metaphors, but the real feelings of an anxious person.
nine0005
How to help anxious parents . Increased anxiety is quite well relieved with the help of medications - antidepressants, anxiolytics or antipsychotics.
It is not necessary to take the mother to a “terrible” psychiatrist, some drugs can be prescribed by a neurologist at the district clinic. A nice bonus of treatment is that “insoluble” physical health problems often disappear, which parents constantly complained about (headaches, pain in the heart, insomnia).
How to communicate with parents and how to help yourself . If the need for treatment is denied, it remains only to isolate yourself from the uncontrolled discharge of unhealthy emotions.
The principle “knows less - sleeps better” works quite well: stop the practice of daily reports, or reduce it to a minimum - for example, one message per day with the standard text “everything is fine”.
Tell as few details as possible about your life, transferring conversations to the affairs of the parents themselves.
Think of the flow of disturbing consciousness as hindrances, between which important information sometimes slips, and do not react to it emotionally: “Yes, Mom. I can hear you mom. By the way, about the garden / weather / birthday. In fact, what an anxious person wants most is to hear reassurance that all is well. Your real life situation is not very interesting to him. nine0005
Accept that your parents are not the right people to turn to in a difficult situation. Perhaps they will help physically or financially, but the discussion of any problems will be accompanied by panic / hysteria / bouts of pressure (underline as necessary).
Anxiety is a contagious thing, especially if you grew up talking about “no matter what happens.” Many children of anxious parents also develop anxiety disorders of various kinds, from obsessive-compulsive disorder to panic attacks. With this problem, in addition to a psychiatrist, it is worth contacting a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist.
And for starters, learn basic self-help techniques (for example, how to breathe properly to stop a panic attack). For example, good self-help books: Robert Leahy, Freedom from Anxiety, Lynn Clark, Curb Your Emotions. How to deal with anxiety, anger and depression. nine0005
Depressed parents
“My mother seems to be a kind and sincere person, but she sees her whole life in a black light. As a result, 90% of our conversations come down to her whining about the terrible weather, terrible health, terrible news on TV and how she suffers from the fact that we so rarely see each other. But how to communicate more often, if after an hour of talking with her I feel such despondency that at least go and drown yourself?
Depressive disorders are also a very common occurrence both among the young and outwardly prosperous and among the old and sick. Of course, difficult living conditions, serious illnesses (for example, oncology), loss of loved ones increase the likelihood of their development.
nine0005
It is important to distinguish between chronic depression ( depressive disorder ) and depression caused by certain sad events ( reactive depression ). In the second case, a person will eventually return to normal, and in the first case, episodes of longing and melancholy will accompany him throughout his life.
Depressed parents are not only gloomy and sad. They are cold and distant, which is especially unbearable for children. Often they are passive, helpless and dependent, they constantly need to be rescued, because they can hardly cope with ordinary tasks. Sometimes they are irritable and suspicious. nine0358
Depressed people often talk about illnesses and imminent death, even if a person is only 40, they can have a specific "graveyard" humor.
Depression differs from the “usual melancholy” in that a person is in it for a long time (months, sometimes even years), and a pessimistic view spreads to everything around.
If parents become sick and unhappy only when they need something from you, they are most likely manipulators (which also does not guarantee their health, see Psychopathic Parents). nine0358
Depressed people cannot believe in change for the better, which makes it very difficult to motivate them to get treatment. Some drown depression with alcohol, which is especially typical for men. Depression is often accompanied by anxiety. In addition, it can manifest itself at the level of physical sensations: inexplicable pain in the heart, in the abdomen, a feeling of weakness, heaviness.
How to help depressed parents . In many cases, antidepressants can work wonders: the eternal “whiner” turns into a completely cheerful person who suddenly has interests and plans for the future. In addition to a certain number of pills, depressive people need a lot of support - both moral and practical. nine0005
It is important to understand that love and understanding alone cannot cure them.
Such people have a black hole in their soul that cannot be plugged, no matter how hard you try. How to help yourself . To save your own mind, you will have to dose the support provided. Decide how many hours of complaints per week you are willing to endure without fatal damage and how many practical requests to fulfill (their flow will never dry up). Recognize that you are doing this for yourself, and not for the sake of winning your mother's love: until depression is cured, the flow of complaints about life, as well as about your callousness and inattention, will not stop. nine0005
Psychopathic parents
Personality disorders, or, as they used to be called, psychopathy , are expressed in character pathologies. In fact, this is the “unbearable character” in its extreme manifestations.
Personality disorders do not affect the intellect and the ability to perform work or household chores. "Abnormality" manifests itself primarily in relationships, and most of all - in relation to relationships with the most significant people.
nine0358 Many people are confused by this paradox. For example, the father of the family has an excellent reputation at work. He jokes with colleagues and deftly fawns on his superiors. No one can believe that at home he is an unpredictable tyrant who kicks his wife out into the street and beats the children when they make too much noise. The reason is that superficial relationships with colleagues do not affect the painful emotions of such a person. In addition, for many "psychopaths" a beautiful external picture, the image of a good family, is important. Maintaining the image requires a lot of effort from them. And at home, they behave "naturally" and splash out the accumulated tension, which does not bode well for loved ones. nine0005
There are European and American classifications of personality disorders. Personality disorders can be different (borderline, narcissistic, hysterical, dependent and many others).
But most of their carriers are characterized by such unpleasant traits for loved ones as the predominance of emotions over reason (because actions can be unpredictable and illogical), manipulativeness, lack of empathy, obsession with oneself and one's experiences.
Psychoanalysis explains the destructive behavior of "psychopaths" by inflexible psychological defenses. You probably managed to experience them on your own experience. For example, idealization of and devaluation of : when the daughter was a "princess", and after an objectionable act to her father, she became a "monster". Or projection : your parents have mocked you for many years, but they claim that they are the victims, and you are a heartless tormentor. Typically negation - even the most obvious facts.
Do not try to break through psychological defenses (unless, of course, you dream of driving the parent completely crazy). They perform an important function: they protect a vulnerable person from unbearable experiences. To admit that someone was a sadistic father or an envious mother is really unbearable. Any self-deception would be better. nine0005
Evgenia Bogdanova , psychologist, project manager " Toxic Parents " :
“Psychopathic parents are disharmonious people who constantly need self-affirmation.
Unfortunately, most often they do this at the expense of the child, because he is always available. Even if the child is well done, does everything, studies well, they will find a reason for criticism and depreciation. Children trust their parents and grow up extremely unsure of themselves and their abilities. nine0005
The parent's behavior is illogical and unpredictable. Because of this, the child has to literally become a psychic. He can tell by the sound of footsteps in what mood dad came home from work. With age, this guarantees not only sensitive intuition, but anxiety, fears.
It is typical for a psychopathic parent to blame the child for their misdeeds and bouts of aggression. A person acquires an oppressive sense of guilt, and it is this that continues to keep him close to his parents in adulthood. nine0005
How to help parents . With the help of pills, you can remove individual symptoms characteristic of disturbed personalities: all the same depression, anxiety, irritability.
But that doesn't make them "normal". To curb unhealthy emotions, a restructuring of the entire personality is necessary, which will require many years of psychotherapy.
So the main strategy is to love (or dislike, as you feel comfortable) such parents at a safe distance. If they really need regular help (they are seriously ill, low-income), explore the possibility of outsourcing it: for example, inviting a social worker, a “master for an hour” or a nurse. It will cost much less than years of psychotherapy or "self-treatment" after personal visits. nine0005
How to communicate and help yourself . First of all, accept the fact that this person is who they are. It won't change itself, and you won't change it.
Try not to take depreciation and manipulation from your parents personally. In fact, they are not talking to you, but to their personal demons.
Do not let them into your personal life and do not let them into your experiences.
At the first quarrel, they use everything that you entrusted to them against you. nine0005
If you need to agree on something, two tricks can work. The first is praise and even flattery , "psychopaths" are very sensitive to them. The second is to treat from the position of the weak and incompetent, who asks for help from the strong. Psychopathic parents often see competitors in their own children, and the weakness of a competitor reduces their aggression.
Schizophrenic parents
“Father was always a cold and distant person, he seemed to live in his own world and was not very interested in me. He never asked how I was doing, didn't even look me in the eyes. But at the same time, sometimes he began to suspect me of some strange things and arranged real interrogations. It was impossible to convince him that I did nothing of the sort. If I cried - it confirmed that I was lying, if I remained unperturbed - even more so.
nine0005
Scientists talk about the existence of a whole spectrum of schizophrenic disorders, which include not only the classic schizophrenia with psychotic attacks and "voices in the head", but also less severe disorders, for example, schizoid and paranoid disorders . According to the medical classification, these are personality disorders, but their manifestations are in many ways similar to those of schizophrenia, although much less pronounced.
They manifest themselves in a specific character and disorders of thinking. nine0005
Such people are reserved and focused on their experiences. They are not capable of close warm relationships and empathy with others. Thinking is disturbed to varying degrees, their statements often lack logic and meaning.
Many of these people are suspicious and suspicious up to bouts of paranoia - they are sure that someone wants to harm them, and this must be saved at all costs.
In such cases, they either “save” their children, or they themselves are accused of malicious intent. Paranoia is far from always obvious to others: these are not necessarily ideas about persecution by aliens or the CIA, but, for example, very detailed (and completely fictitious) stories to neighbors that the daughter stole jewelry from her mother or survives her from the apartment. nine0005
Evgenia Bogdanova:
“It is especially bad for children that parents with schizophrenic disorders communicate with double messages. For example, mom says: “Get out of here!” And with her whole appearance she shows that you can’t go anywhere. Or after a minute: “Stop, did I tell you to leave?” For a child, this conflict is insoluble, he does not know what to do and what to believe.
To survive in the family, he has to be obedient and quiet. This is a convenient child who is very afraid of doing something wrong. Growing up, he becomes a closed loner.
nine0358
This is a typical "white crow", it is difficult for him in society. Often these are bright, interesting people, but completely closed, emotionally inaccessible. In relationships, it is difficult for them to open up, they repeat the illogical behavior of their mother: they either attract or repel, they cannot believe that they are really loved.
How to help schizophrenic parents . Schizophrenia is a severe progressive disease, over the years it often leads to personality degradation: passivity, depression, and indifference to the environment increase. Such a person needs regular monitoring by a psychiatrist and constant medication. Carefully selected modern drugs can avoid severe side effects. By old age, many patients lose the ability to serve themselves, and then the help of a social worker or a nurse will be needed. nine0005
Unfortunately, it is often impossible to convince an elderly and very suspicious person to seek treatment.
In this case, it is better to abandon attempts to save your parents and focus on helping yourself.
See also:
What to do if there is a mentally ill person in the family — and he denies treatment
How to help yourself . You will need a competent and patient psychotherapist who will help you overcome codependency with a parent in the first place. Schizoids try to bind the child to themselves and limit his communication with the outside world, because most often this is their only close person. They use any means for this, up to blackmail by suicide. They instill the idea that the world is hostile, only mother/father can be trusted. It will take a lot of effort and a lot of support to believe that in fact everything is exactly the opposite: the hardest thing happened in the family. nine0005
Your parents did not choose to live with a mental disorder. But you did not choose it either, and therefore you should not bear their burden.
