To marry or ....

I was schizophrenic six years back. I was under medication for three years, after which I stopped taking the medicines as per the doctor’s advice. I am 19 years old and have opted not to marry, as I fear my children might inherit the disease. Is my apprehension justified?

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental condition that may relapse anytime. I don’t know why you have stopped the medication. But you must definitely be in touch with your doctor. Rehabilitation is very important in such a case. Whether you marry or not depends on your condition. So, don’t lose hope. Visit your psychiatrist regularly and act according to his advice. The chances of a child inheriting the disease are high only when both parents are schizophrenic. It does not mean that a schizophrenic patient can’t marry; with proper treatment, the person can lead a normal life.

Delusion

Ever since my wife’s death, my daughter (27) says she has developed two iron rods in her throat, and that they are creating problems while speaking. She also seems to hear people teasing her. At times she says she is being sexually molested by men, some of them being film stars. Medicines are not doing her any good. Please advise.

Your daughter has probably developed delusion (false belief) and hallucination (visual or auditory misinterpretation of stimuli that are not present). She needs psychiatric treatment along with psychotherapy. Psychological and personality tests may help diagnose her problem. If she doesn’t respond to a particular medicine, it doesn’t mean that the disease can’t be treated. Other medicines need to be tried. Consult a senior psychiatrist for alternative medication and management. She needs proper care and emotional support from you and other family members.

Incorrigible liar

My husband (37) is an incorrigible liar. He is handsome and polite. He smartly lies and most of the time, also succeeds in getting people convinced. What’s wrong with him? Is it a disease?

It seems to be a borderline case of personality disorder. For material gains and the like, many people do whatever they like. Societal norms have little meaning for them. The current scenario of moral devaluation aids such behaviour. Check whether your husband is doing all this to meet the demands of the family. It may also be part of family training. You need to investigate the actual cause of the problem. You must talk freely with him, and then, if necessary, contact a psychiatrist.

Self talking

My sister (42) talks to herself when alone. She thinks everyone in the house hates her. She is unable to concentrate on her household work. What has happened to her?

She has probably developed psychosis. It may be an early symptom of schizophrenia. Muttering to oneself for one or two days may not be pathological. But if one indulges in self laughing or self talking for a prolonged period, along with other behavioural abnormalities like hallucination, social withdrawal, emotional upsets, odd behaviour, etc., he or she needs immediate psychiatric consultation.

Lazy bones

I am a retired person. My only son (26) does not want to work, and only likes to sleep his time away. He is very lazy. What should I do?

Your son is probably suffering from depression. Low self-esteem and a sense of inferiority sometimes make a young person depressed. He needs supportive therapy and motivational counselling. He must be encouraged to set goals for himself and to work towards achieving them.