I need your help spook, my little brother had a psyhcotic episode

[alan1]

Spook, I haven't been around in a while, but I am back in time of need. Me little bro has had some type of substance abuse and stress related mental breakdown. He really seems as if he lost his mind, like a permanent acid trip or someting. he is much better now though, but his thoughts and words are so fast and random. He is talking about some of the strangest things. I'm not going into depth right now, cause I could type for hours.

Here is the skinny. His roomates called my mother and told her to come pick up my bro. He "lost it" at a party, where he was using little cocaine. His recolection of what happened is so distorted compared to what his roomate told me. He was violent and nasty, and acting crazy. He is now at a rehabilitation center (the best in the state, my uncle is the ceo of 6 major hospitals) so he is in good hands.

I am very worried. I know he has been abusing every drug there is except heroine, athlthough I know he has done that too. I am not sure why this is effecting him for such a long period of time. He hasn't done anything for a few days. (he wasn't even sleeping for a couple days because he thought he was going to die) I just don't know what to make of it, is he going to snap out of it, or is he wacked forever. I took care of him last night and today, and he is so weird. I saw him two weeks (almost everday up to that) and he was fine. I will elaborate more on his actions and drug habits after you post back. I need some encouragement. thanks.

The poor kid is only 20.

[Spook]

Sorry to hear about your brother. Is this the same brother that used to come to meso a few times? I wouldn't say that coke was the only thing he was doing, it sounds like several things taken together. Given a little bit of time in the hands of doctors he will start getting better. Whatever it is that was taken sounds to have affected a few areas of his brain, perhaps the amygdala or something else. Does he seem as if he is a classic paranoid schizophrenic right now? I knew a really nice guy that took several things at once just hoping to not get caught with the stuff in his possession, but it affected him badly for a short while. Like him, your brother will get better under supervision and care, however, be ready for him to have to live on anti-depressants or something similar for quite some time after this ordeal.

Its sad but sometimes it takes events like these for a person to wake up and change their habits drastically. I don't know if you remember the story of baby Jessica (she was the little girl that was trapped in the well for several days before she was rescued). When one of the rescue workers was finally able to feel her arm with his hand, he told another one that he was afraid that she might get injured if he pulled her out too soon. His supervisor told him that he may very well have to break her in order to save her.

Sometimes those things happen in our lives too. Sometimes in order for us to truly change our ways we may have to be to a point where we might have to be broken. This would be a perfect opportunity for you to be strong for him, let him lean on you, encourage him, and even remind him if need be to not go back that down that previous road.

Let me know if you learn any more about the situation. I'll pray for your brother and all of you who are his family, as well as the doctors.

*** 1972-2003...A beloved brother stands watch over us all. He will not be forgotten and we will stand with him again as guardians over others. We will spend eternity feasting on happiness and love that is perfect. All will be happy in the new age where God will be our center and is our strength. *** Spook

[alan1]

No, this is a different brother. The one from meso hangs around here, snf4e, he is my twin.

This is the latest. He is now in a manic depressive state triggered by drugs and alcohol abuse. there are few more worries though. you see, he was arrested 3 weeks ago at a concert for being beligerantly drunk and violent. he blew a .289 BA level at the hospital and had to be restrained and subdued. The doctors want to obtain the hospital records and find out what they used, because they feel he may have had some adverse reaciton to the medication.

Also, he may have had a stroke. His cat scan was +, but they often come up false postitive. so they will give him a mri today.

He is relating his problems back to a "death experience" the night he was arrested. He truly believed he died that night and explains that he started remembering all strange events from childhood. So He may have had a stroke that night, but I am not postitive on how this could effect him. (i konw it's not good).

As of now he is admitted to a behavioral rehab center, not a pysciatric intsitution. He could sign himself out, but we will visit him and encourage him to stay. If he did sign himself out though, they could call the psyciatric ward and have him "locked up" if they feel he is a threat to himself or others. it will likely fall out to be 5-7 dys in that center, followed by at least 30 days in a inpatient substance abuse center.

I am going to visit him today and get a better idea of how he is doing. I feel horrible because although I discouraged his heavy drug use, we used to party tog0ether before it became a problem. I do feel somewhat responsible.

I feel bad for what he has had to go through, they took his notebook away. Thisw notebook has recently been his journal of life, with poems and stories that he says helps him "figure out life." (yeah, he is off his rocker) He was very, very uspet when he had to say good-bye to my mother, and i also have this feeling that this could make him worse. I have seen people come out of rehab and never be the same (my cousin for one) and don't want that to be him. He is a smart kid, was doing well in college, and was a successful wrestler. I just pray that they can help him be "normal" agian.


Spook, thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Hope to hear from you soon.

[Spook]

He will need support, encouragement, and alot of love from everyone in the family as well as from good friends, and not necessarily the party friends. The last thing he needs is a stoner to walk in and say, "Duuuuude. Whoa. What a bummer." He needs to be surrounded with good people, understanding people, and especially his mom now more than ever. I keep a journal too that is filled with stories, poetry, sketches, and all sorts of things that I use to keep track of my growth in life. He sounds like he is creative. Perhaps, after all of this is over, he could be persuaded to put his creativity to a good constructive use and even make a profit. He could enroll in some fine art classes and take up painting; painting is a great hobby to occupy the mind and express one's self.

It will be a tough road ahead, but he will make it through to better days. It will be his decision when his new path comes to the same old crossroads on which path to take. Be there to encourage him to take the right path and even guide him if need be.

*** 1972-2003...A beloved brother stands watch over us all. He will not be forgotten and we will stand with him again as guardians over others. We will spend eternity feasting on happiness and love that is perfect. All will be happy in the new age where God will be our center and is our strength. *** Spook

[Sterno]

alan I just wanted to wish you the best and especially for your brother, I have only one brother and when their down its like your down with them.....
spook has said everything I would touch on trying to help out... I will pray for your bro and a full recovery for him

keep us posted on the progress, STERNO

WWW.KILLDEVILL.COM

WWW.perpetualfitness.com

[alan1]

thanks for the support. I spent tiem with him yesterday and today, and I am happpy to say he si doing much better. He is not rambling about nonsense, although it is evident that the medication is making him a bit drowsy and sedated. I udersatnad these are side effects, and will obviuolsy accept this fact because it is helping him. He feels he is helping others too, writing a few poemss and brining laughter in their lives. he understands he needs ot be admitted and is positive about recovery. I guess dthe situation is as good as it can be right now, and I thank you agian for the encouragement.

I'll keep you udated.

btw- he is reflecting back to childhood and recalls his relationship with god. MY uncle told him god sometimes has to bring you to your knees before you can realize how important maintaining a relationshiop with him is. He is looking forward to renewing his faith and has been speeking of being a missionary that last couple of days. This has made me relook at my life as well, and I am proud to say I will be returning to god after a a few foolish years without him. jesus does have a plan, and I can now see it working once again.

[Spook]

that is great news to hear. If you ever need help, you know where to find me bro.

*** 1972-2003...A beloved brother stands watch over us all. He will not be forgotten and we will stand with him again as guardians over others. We will spend eternity feasting on happiness and love that is perfect. All will be happy in the new age where God will be our center and is our strength. *** Spook

[Sterno]

Im more than happy to see that your bro is taking steps in the right direction both physically and morally.
Sounds like he took some drugs that altered his mind for sometime. but already sounds like he subdued those sideffects already.

if you ever need to talk hit me up Sterno911@ziplip.com

keep us posted...STERNO

WWW.KILLDEVILL.COM

WWW.perpetualfitness.com

[alan1]

Bipolar disorder, or manic deppression. He has a very severe case of it, but it is managalbe and he looks better now than he has in years.

It is hard to say how bad the drugs effected it, but there is no doubt it intesitfied his emotions. He is also lucky because he has severe mania (the highs) more so than the deppression. This is good because suicide is not a real concern here, like it often is with those with bipolar. I feel bad he can't return to school and wrestle, but all will turn out for the better. He and I are joining judo in a couple weeks to satisfiy his competitive cravings, so that will be fun. Something we can do together and I can watch out for him.

Because, like the doctor said, he "still isn't quite there yet," but he is on his way. He still needs strong support, and basicaly someone to listen to him.

Again, thank you for the continuing support.

and spook, if you can give me a little more info on bipolar that would be cool, thanks.

[Sterno]

alan, this is good news, I have studied and 'am studying alot of mental illness' mostley pertaning to the DSM-IV , diagnostic manual of mental disorders.... and bipolar is a treatable disease this day and age, also great to hear you two are starting judo together something constructive that you both can share!... best of luck to both of you!...

STERNO

WWW.KILLDEVILL.COM

WWW.perpetualfitness.com