Does anybody else suffer from a relative that has schizophrenia?

my father has paranoid schizophrenia and abuses perscription drugs and alcohol and it has been very hard to deal with, i never realized it was a mental illness until recently. i always thought that it was drug abuse.i just wanted to hear what other people thought about this.

I am 75 yrs old and was diagnosed with schizophrenia paranoia over 40 years ago. I have been on med's. ever since and have been able to live a fairly normal life. I do not drink excessively; I'll drink a beer once in awhile on a hot day. I know when I was first afflicted that I effected my relatives a lot. The first years are the worst. If your father is on anti-psychotic med's. he must be encouraged to regularly take them. I assume he is abusing medications other than the anti-psychotics, Most anti-psychotics are not supposed to be taken with alcohol.

Alcoholism is a disease in and of itself and the symptoms may be worse than those of schizophrenia especially if it has been a longtime problem. They may mask those of schizophrenia. I suggest googling or otherwise web searching both "schizophrenia" and "alcoholism" to familiarize your self with the symptoms, treatment, and prognosis of the disorders.

Good luck with your care of the "old man", good mental health, peace and Love!

I have paronia schizophrenia and i suffered but i never did drugs mine was chemical or i was born with it mostly born with it and i am on medicine but i think that the father if hes abusing them like drugs not prescription then you have to tell the psychiatrist i use my medicine to help me not to worsen.