I asked out a friend of mine last Friday. I've liked her a for a few months, and I heard she liked me back, so I asked her out. She said yes, so now we're dating.
Here's the thing, I found out that she's been keeping a secret for about a year, the fact that she's been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic. She's on 150mg of "Navane" (I think that's what it's called), and she's been going to therapy twice a week. She was really upset to tell me about it, but I'm glad she told me. She keeps insisting that it isn't severe, but I still worry, and I want to do anything I can to help her manage it better. Is there anything I should or can do to help her out? I want to do anything I can and I really don't want her to suffer...
Update:And, if it helps, she's 15 and I'm 17. Not sure if age has a part in this though..
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
that is the sweetest thing i have ever heard a guy say.. most guys would run away screaming if they found that out about their girlfriends..
your girlfriend should be very very happy to have you!
sorry i don't know anything about schizophrenia..
but i hope everything goes well between you to!
happy dating :p
For your girlfriend to tell you about her illness, she must really love and trust you. And kudos to you for being a mature 17 year old to want to help her through this difficult time. I have never been around anyone with schizophrenia personally, but I do know the disorder. I would say the best thing that you could do to help her, is just be there for her. You understand how she is impacted with this disorder, so if she were to ever go "off" on you, you know not to take it personal.
Wish the two of you luck and happiness!
It had to be very hard for her to tell you that - and you're a good guy to want to stick with her and help her.
I'd recommend you get the book "Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Patients, and Providers" by E. Fuller Torrey, Fifth Edition. I know Barnes & Noble has it. It has a lot of very good information about schizophrenia, and how to deal with it.
You might also check out the website:
www.healthcentral.com/schizophrenia
they have a place where you can ask questions, and they also have forums and feature stories.
Best of Luck to You and your Lady Friend :-)
Paul.
I'm not sure of anything you can do as long as she's taking her meds and seeing a therapist. That should be good enough. You seem like a wonderful guy to stick around and want to help her through all of this. She's a very lucky girl to have you =)
My Girlfriend Is Schizophrenic
Her GP could probably get her a therapist or someone to help her with it, the best you can do until she gets help from a doctor would be to just stay with her, keep her company (and make sure she doesn't do any self-harm) if its really bad then she could possible get a permenant carer, but I'm not sure. Best bet would be a doctor/GP
If her illness is controlled by medication, I don't believe that you need to worry about this. She seems to be managing it fine because you had no idea that this was happening to her. You have to let her Doctor handle this, because many emotional problems can now be completely controlled by medication. Go on with your relationship, and don't treat her any differently than any other girl.
Hey...I know a little bit about this because my mother has schizophrenia. What happens is that this is a very very hard situation to deal with. Whatever you do do let her smoke weed. It will really F her up bad!
That is so sweet of you most guys would want to run and just call her crazy. There needs to be more guys like you in the world.
From what I understand I don't think there is anything you can do to help. I think as long as she stays on her meds she will be fine. I don't think they get upset or anything unless they come off their meds! HTH