Trying to stay calm....
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
Banks, Oregon
February 1, 2022 2:54pm CST
I don't know how many of you have ever been caregivers in your life but I believe one of the most important things regardless of it being a child, elderly person, or in my brothers case someone with a mental disability it is so important to remain calm in all situations.
Due to my brother constantly hearing voices, and seeing things and believing they are real and are going to come and hurt him, his irrational fear is very real to him no matter how many times we calm him, and ensure him he is safe and no one is going to hurt him it never completly helps him.
I dunno if he believes we our lying to him, or if he knows we can't hear them but he still believes they are very real, and still talks about wanting to call the police.
I've tried not to get angry or upset with him, but knowing he is almost completely himself other then this it feels like he is doing things just to get to me. I know he's not but having had him as a older brother all my life I can't erase that him completly....
I really hope things get better but this medication really only seems to dull the voices temporarily he is calmer at night and early morning.
On the 3rd we go back to the Counselor and talk to a doctor via Zoom, but I hope that they can get us into see an actual doctor soon I don't know what's going on with his medical I have not heard back from them yet.
Anyway continued prayers and well wishes please as my family tries to help my brother.
I will try to write more often but somedays it is difficult to find the time.
12 people like this
15 responses
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
1 Feb 22
Thank you I really hope there is a cure I hate to think that this could be permanent ??
2 people like this
@CarolDM (203452)
• Nashville, Tennessee
1 Feb 22
@chrissbergstrom I know there are many different meds they can try. Hopefully they will figure out a combination that will help him. It will take time.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (134465)
• Roseburg, Oregon
2 Feb 22
I had a friend in high school that had the same problem and his family would not help him. I told my Dad and we went to Social Service to get him help. To this day he does good but they are always having to change his medication. He is married with children but it has always been a struggle for his family. He loss a lot of jobs when he got mad. Now he is retired and still hearing voices. So I hope Tim will get better with all the issues.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (134465)
• Roseburg, Oregon
2 Feb 22
@chrissbergstrom If he can get the right doze of medicine and keep taking it. I will pray for him.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
That's amazing he was able to have such a life despite all of it that does give me hope in time TR can go back to a somewhat normal life
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
@jstory07 Thank you so much prayers do work!
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86760)
• United States
1 Feb 22
This is really so hard for you to watch..of course prayers for Tim and you Chris..
I more than understand as I said it's in my family too
One thing I found helped with my niece was gentle cheerful distraction.
One thing I found helped with my niece was gentle cheerful distraction.1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
Thank you and yes I feel like when our little nephew visited my brother was very Happy and calm the whole time I think just the presence of him here cheered him up and distracted him.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86760)
• United States
2 Feb 22
@chrissbergstrom Yes something to somehow pull him out of his hell..it is always worth a try but that being said, it does not always work sadly.
I am so glad that the presence of your nephew helped Tim for a while.
I remember when I would start joking and dancing for my niece, she seemed to respond slowly but surely. But the delusions, voices, and hallucinations are so real to them.
She finally has some meds now but I am not sure what they are as she is states away from me now.
I truly pray that Tim gets something to help.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
@RebeccasFarm I hope that someday he can be back to the old Tim
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (36442)
• Toccoa, Georgia
1 Feb 22
I admire you for your patience with him. Yes, continued prayers for him.
2 people like this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
1 Feb 22
It is a lot some days, today he got very angry and was adamant it was real, my mom got him to calm down but I was just so tired I had just woke up and last thing I wanted to do ??
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (48447)
• Canada
2 Feb 22
@chrissbergstrom does he have any hobbies like painting or drawing? That may be a way to get him to focus on something else and you would be able to tell if he is distracted.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
3 Feb 22
@Juliaacv he used to like to draw
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
I also worry when he is to silent, because before he was telling us everything they said and when they said it, now i feel like he is staying quiet... i know hes depressed i just hope they can figure out something to help him, i am not a doctor but i know hes not ok.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
2 Feb 22
I’m aquatinted with a young man who heard voices telling him to hurt people and he believed people were watching him and planning to hurt him. But his wife got him to the right doctor. He put him on medication and he’s perfectly normal now. He will have to continue taking his medication for life. I feel sure that if you can find the right doctor your brother can be perfectly normal with the right medication.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
So far he has never shown any sign of wanting to hurt anyone or himself that i am thankful for... but he is definitley very fearful of the voices and has threatened to hurt them if they ever appear, which does scare me as what if a unknown to him person knocks on the door or approaches him when hes out in public it is definitley a real fear.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
3 Feb 22
@RubyHawk I hope so and got to believe so
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99425)
• Atlanta, Georgia
2 Feb 22
@chrissbergstrom I can understand your fear you have good reason. But my friend is back to normal since he’s on the right medication. It had to be changed a few times to find what worked for him. I’m sure there’s a medication that will work for your brother.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Feb 22
so is this schizophrenia ? I have heard but don't know much about it. But I know it's terrible and must be especially bad having to deal with at a time like this with so many other bad things going on. I will pray for you all.
Is this the guy that used to post about his dog and walks all the time?
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
3 Feb 22
Yes that was my brother and his dog Roofer, sadly we had to give Rooger to a family friend. He has not been given a official diagnosis yet but the doctor does believe it is a formmof schizophrenia hopefully a official diagnosis is coming tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
3 Feb 22
@bunnybon7 Yes he has been a heavy pot smoker since he was a teenager, we definitley think that could have added to his paranoia.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
2 Feb 22
you remind me of this song from way back. You are a good brother.,
1 person likes this
@averygirl72 (37726)
• Philippines
4 Feb 22
Is it schizophrenia? I pray that his medicines work and he gets better each day
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
4 Feb 22
He has not got a official diagnosis but that is what they are leaning on
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
Thank you i appreciate the prayers sorry about your bro in law to
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
3 Feb 22
@nela13 got to get him a doctor first and get his medical in line
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
Thank you so much I try my best to be I am not perfect and I do lose my patience but I usually check myself and can remain calm
1 person likes this
@nela13 (55700)
• Portugal
2 Feb 22
@chrissbergstrom Maybe you can have a second opinion with another doctor to change your brother medication.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156276)
• United States
2 Feb 22
I'm glad that the doctor's appointment is tomorrow. I hope he can help Tim.
1 person likes this
@JimBo452020 (42629)
• United Kingdom
1 Feb 22
I've been a caregiver.
Got to say you are right about being calm and how important it is.
I didn't always manage to keep calm.
You need to be patient with the medication.
Several weeks may pass before you notice a real difference.
It's far too early for Olazapine to be effective yet.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
2 Feb 22
Yes and that's what all professionals have told me they said it will take time he's only taken like five days now so it's going to take awhile to really see a big difference.
1 person likes this
@ShyBear88 (59282)
• Sterling, Virginia
1 Feb 22
That sounds like psychofreniana a mental health illness that is live able. My husband is bipolar so I can say it doesn’t take time consign the right medication balance to treat everything and some times it takes a few days because you need the build up in your system.
We are very sure our middle child who is 9 is bipolar as well the kids has some strong mood swings but he is to young for actual medication right now so we have to talk him through his mood swings. He cried Over not being able to open a cake box today.
1 person likes this
