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Mental help for one who has schizophrenic paranoia, and high levels of anxiety?
i don't know if this is the right place to ask, because its a relationship and a mental health question. i'll make it quick.
my girlfriend and i have been together for 2 years now and i love her and i want to be with her til the day i die. she has been going to counseling seeking the right help and found it. she has schizophrenic paranoia, and high levels of anxiety (though it only "activates" with other people, shes never had any bad outbursts or anything with me) they started her on seroquel (i believe that's what the medication is called) to help stabilize her. the problem is, its the only medication that helps her, but the medicine makes it to wear she can't work to hard (so pretty much she can't get a job) or else she'll be hospitalized. it is hard for me to support us both with how much i barely make, and she can't work because of her medication. i was wondering if there are organizations or some kind of mental health help where she does not have to work and can get money or something because of her mental illness? please help, i do not want to have to lose her because i can't support us very well. i want to continue living with her without financial worries.
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Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
There absolutely are government and other organizations that have funding for mentally ill people who just can't work.
You have to have her doctor (she should be seeing a psychiatrist not a therapist) declare the illness a permanent disability and ask him or her to help with obtaining funding so she can have an income. Funding I know of in Canada at least may even pay for the drugs she is on.
I'm on Seroquel for something different and can attest to the fact that it takes a very long time to tell if it's working, makes you too tired and mind fuzzy but once they iron out the proper dosages she will be better than she ever was before. But, she needs to tell the doctor what she's experiencing during this time or they can't fine tune it.
Talk to the doctor because they know of programs and funding that the average person wouldn't know about and can get permanent disability status and perhaps government programs. That's your best step.
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If she's experiencing symptoms that severe (most people experience nothing worse than dry mouth, weight gain or fatigue) she should be switched to another medication. There are lots of medications out there for schizophrenia. It might take some time to find the right one or the right combination. She shouldn't be unable to live her life because of her medication (a lesson I've learned recently). Seroquel is only one of dozens of potential drugs she could be taking. It's not a really uncommon type of drug.
As for help with financial support, you haven't mentioned where you live. I live in Ontario, Canada, and we have ODSP, which is a branch of welfare that deals with people who have disabilities. Your country/state/province/whatever should have something similar. People on disability payments generally get more money than someone on welfare. I also know that ODSP hooks people up with employers who are accommodating when it comes to medical requirements. Try talking to your local social assistance office, and see if they have a disability section.
The best thing for your girlfriend is to, once she's a little less shaky on her feet, try to start doing some volunteer work. I'm coming out of a huge mental health crisis myself (bipolar disorder, which has a lot of the same symptoms). It's not healthy to be cooped up in the house all the time, and will do her more harm than good in the long run. She needs something to get her out and about and socializing with other people in a low-pressure environment. It's nearly impossible to go from shaky to full-time employment, but she'd be able to handle a few hours of volunteering every week. Then it's baby steps up to being able to work part-time, then full-time. She doesn't have to be stuck where she is forever.
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