not sure what is wrong with him...

So i've only posted maybe once or twice in the past concerning my brother.

He's 25 now....he's struggled w/ anxiety and depression since HS. Resulted in a suicide attempt last march.

Ever since then...he hasn't been the same.

His behavior became extremely withdrawn..to both family and friends...he basically cut hiimself off from everyone.

He quit school..just one semester upon graduating .....he hasn't worked in at least two years..hasn't even attempted looking into it.

His appearance has changed DRAMATICALLY....he was once clean cut...now has long hair....shabby clothes...etc...

He was into really bizarre behavior...meditating for hours in parks..believing he was psychic etc....

Anyway to make a long story short(er at least..lol)....

He will not go seek help.....he will however admit he has depression and still takes his zoloft religiously(sees primary dr. only so he can get the presc. filled)....

But the strange part is...within the last 2 months or so..he seems to be doing better.....he started talking more to my parents.....he's reunited w/ one or two of his old friends...he's even had a fairly brief relationship w/ someone .

Now all of a sudden he's moving out , into his own apartment...he has NO job mind you..no source of income...he just happens to of sold an item and has about 10K to hold him over....he says he's "planning on getting a job"...he's acting very logical and seems to have an answer for everything....

My concern is.....if he has developed a mental illness...(not sure exactly where he would be diagnosed ) but does mental illness go into remission???can it seem to "clear" and go away for awhile and then come back???

As much as we are happy he seems to be miraculously doing better..i'm worried its onlya matter of time before it gets bad again....

anyone have experience w/ this sort of thing...i'd like to think he can be independent ...but based on the last year or two...we all thought he went nuts???

sars123,

This type of thing can dfeinately go into 'remission', as you put it. Typically, the person goes through a lengthy low period, followed by a short period of optimism. It is short-lived, however, and the person will just end-up going back to the low period. What triggers these optimistic periods could be anything from meeting a new person to focussing on a new [impractical] dream.

This may sound harsh, but if your brother did not want help from your family before, then he should be allowed to move-out now and make his own mistakes in life. You and your parents cannot forever put-up with him. He should have gone to a doctor and he shouldn't have dropped-out of school. He had the support of your family, but did not avail of it.

Kevin

Thanks for the advice chucky....yep...i was figuring this would be short lived...my parents are just so worried about him...we don't believe he can survive independently....but like you said...he is not willing to recognize there is a problem mentally....he seems to blame other outlets.....you are absolutely right that he has to make his own mistakes..my parents have given him everything and enabled him for so long now....maybe this will be the reality check he needs to get some kind of help....as much as i'm angry at him for all he's put us through..i do feel he is ill and does not know any better at times.....

Just wondering if someone with this type of illness CAN live a fairly independent , normal life if under the correct meds.....the thought of going thru this forever with him is exhausting.....sigh...

Hi again,

Whilst I don't have any Schizoid-type of disorder, I have been depressed for as long as I can remember. Therefore, I believe that I can relate to what your brother might be feeling and, I can assure you, there definately is a good chance that he can live an independent life. However, he simply will have to accept that he has a problem. Otherwise, I fear that he will just end-up living a life that isn't that great.

He's at an age where he desperatly wants to be doing things himelf though and doesn't want to admit to needing help. I know, because I'm 25 also. However, I made a very beneficial decision a few months ago: I accepted that I have a problem and needed my parents support. Since then, things have been relatively great for me.

I'm not sure exactly how you can get through to him though. A lot of what happens will have to come from himself.

Kevin

Was he taking Zoloft when he tried to commit suicide?
Is he on it now?