Just read your thought-provoking post, and this time, it isn't about the 'professionals', but this time it's my partner's family. Jessica is my partner's name and the DR's haven't exactly diagnosed her with anyone, but from the research I've done, she has a form of Schizophrenia, and while some may say it's not nice to 'brand' induviduals witha condition, on the other hand, I need a name, or at least SOMETHING to call it, all part of accepting what's there, and trying our best to deal with the sitaution. I myself have 'something', again, not sure what, but I have so far found the symptoms to be close to OCD. Now, unfortunately, I have been told by my partner that she is getting intrusive thoughts, and that they are getting worse, she has already had one spell in hospital at Christmas 2004 right through to the summer motnhs of last year, so, her symptoms seem to be making a comeback. She tells me they're not too severe right now, and you're probably wondering if I've made any attempt to take her to hospital. The problem is, he family, and the CPN will and are waiting(and no, I'm not imagining things-no offence to anyone who does)to 'pounce' on the only one person they can possibly LOVE to blame-ME!! So, I'm actually feeling extremely trapped at the moment. I fully understand that she should be getting help straight away, but, you see, they have already threatened to put her into cared housing, which, I'm very sure would be a huge mistake. The reason is that they've noticed the flat is not axectly tidy at times, this IS true, but, with the rpessure her Aunt lays upon me, it's no wonder sometimes I sit on the internet and 'bury my head in the sand'. The trouble with her Aunt, is trhat when I went to her and her husband for help when Jessica was being beaten by her alcoholic mother, they distinctly told me they did not want to be involved, by asking them for help, I was disrupting thier lives, oh, but now I'm in her life, her hypocritical Aunt has been acting the concerned member of family she never was in the first place. Nowe all of a sudden, I'm the big bad ogre. So, getting back to the pint here, the people this time which are family, that I should be able to depend on, are gonna be all to busy making me feel even worse, and pointing the blame finger toward me, while not concentrating on the matter at hand. And it's annoying me, and, knowing what is going to happen once they know Jessica is regressing, I'm frightened, not through actual fear, but I'm what I can only describe as 'angry frightened'. I would be so grateful if you could email me back, owuld prefer that to a reply post here to be honest, perhaps you can giveme some advice, or just chat to me? I don't know, but having read your post, you seemed to be talking along the same lines as me, only in a different situation. Reagrds, Gary.

hi you do sound fed up.looking after someone with mental health problems has to be the most thankless job in the world.have you read patrick holfords book, optimum nutrition for the mind?its not a miracle cure but gives lots of tips and advice that can help.personally if i could turn back time i would not take my son anywhere near a shrink.ultimatly however you have to do what you feel is best for yourself and your partner.let the family go on a guilt trip later if need be.i guess coming to terms with the reality of their relatives illness is something of a shock,but they do sound very unsupportive.

Thanks for your reply, no, they're not at all supportive, they like to think they are,but they're not. And yes, I'm extremely fed up, I've been in tears today wondering what the hell is next, in fact, I don't know if I should bother calling the mental health team AT ALL, I think I know enough by now to help her myself-but then maybe that's a bridge too far to be thinkiing about, I really don't know at the moment. Im'm all confused right now, don't know which way to go or who to like or hate, I actually feel VERY isolated and trapped, in fear for me and my Jessica's future . I'm gonna chat with Jessica soon and find out what she wants to do, because that's one area where they don't really think of, they don't really ask her, only the other day her Aunt was talking about the CPN's to her, and Jess told her straight she doesn't wqant them in her life, her Aunt didn't take a LIND bit of notice and just made out Jessica is freaking out, very clever . It's a big shame about your son, I've heard of situations like that, and in Chase Farm Hospital, where Jess was the first ime, well, they're not much better. The attitudes for starters are right off.

couldnt agree more,patients with cancer,heart problems and these days even aids have rights,but loose your marbles and you have no rights,its a scandal but as most people still will not talk about mental health issues its one the professionals are getting away with. My son likes to wear black,which is not a crime but,its written down in his notes and is discussed at ward round..yet a lad I work with who is "normal" wears a base ball cap all the time and no one bats an eyelid.you really couldnt make it up.
really hope everthing works out for you and jessica.try not to let them beat you.