LOST.Schizophrenia

tattoo man

hi folks,im new to forum and looking for feedback...14 yrs ago my now X partner was told she had Schizophrenia ...we have 2 kids aged 15 and 5...in early years she was in and out of hospital,and through a rough few years getting picked up of streets and the likes and admitted to hospital,prob about 60 percent of her time that she was un well she would get violent,but she tends to run away when not well,last time running to whales and deproted back here to hospital..then 5 years ago we split,she built her own life as did i,she was giving CLOSARIL(spell)and to be honest even though she had he downs it kept her from hospital...i took control off the kids with her concent and i always and still do keep them from lets say tuesday to a saturday,as she would defo not be able to get the kids to school and having them any more than she does would wear her out,shes just not able....i might add that she has no help from her family,her sister has also got Schizophrenia and her mams an alcoholic...the rest life there own lifes,i thought she was unwell the last week,pre dropping the kids off to her on sunday i went down for a chat..she was very unwell and infact wanted to run again or she stated that she was suicidal...so she asked to be brought to hospital and both me and my partner brought her....she was let out today after 2 days and told to take lots of rest,but shes still on her own,and to be honest im a tad freaked...i was never afraid of her situation before,but i am now,i feel the kids are very unstable,and should come with me full time....the young lad thrives with me,but when with her he takes complete control,and me daughter is 15.the situation has her life unstable for well 15 years...then if i do take full control of kids will that drive her over the edge???im lost,and once again seeking not answers,but maybe guidance or people with same situation...
anyhow thanks for reading
tm

LegacyUser

You might find help here http://www.sirl.ie/supportgroups.php
My sister suffers from schizophrenia and I'm glad to say she never married or had children . She would not be capable of being a parent. If I were you I would take the children full-time and allow her to see them only when she is well.

Aliodon

Ur ex partner has been slipping thru the net for a long time, but ur right, it's not just about her, the kids are very vulnerable right now. Try to enlist the help of ur local health nurse. She will have all the contacts u need and will be able to help in a professional and humanitarian capacity. U need the help of one social worker, who can draw up a plan of how to go about everyday life and bring in the help of other professionals. I understand ur need to remove the children, but the proper intervention may mean u can avoid that. Taking children out of their home and routine may have a detrimental effect on ur ex partner and the kids. Try to draw them into the home and offer the support ur already giving, in a structured way. Try to get her family more involved, if possible, make them take on some of the responsibility. In any case, u seem to be doing as much as u can, which is great, but get the help u need from those agencies and health workers who can take the pressure off.

Infoseeking

I suffer from schizophrenia and over the years I have had a lot of support from Schizophrenia Ireland (they are now called Shine.) The link above will bring you to their site. It is very important for your ex to get as much support as possible, and its also equally as important for you. If you ring Shine and discuss your problem they might be able to advise. There is also a good counselling/psychotherapy centre in Dublin City. http://www.dctc.ie/ I found therapy very beneficial, and as they offer their services on a sliding scale basis (you pay as much as your means allow. For example I pay €5 a week.) it won't cost too much. I hope I've been of some use. If I can think of anything else I'll post. Good luck with it.