I am a health professional and also a mother who has a son who suffers with schizophrenia, I can only speak from what I’ve experienced. There have been times when medications have caused some problems, however I have also seen the opposite. My son has become a fully functioning responsible single father, leading a successful and good life. The difference between him being well on medication and unwell not on medication is like night and day. As soon as he goes off his meds he cannot function, it did take years to get the right meds and dose. For him it’s being in therapy as well as medication has given him his life back. There is never a simple answer and I feel for people who have no help, or feeling helpless.

I think Dr. Amador is awesome. His book and LEAP helped me to communicate a lot better with my son. We still argue but not over his mental illness. His insight into the mind set of someone with psychosis is eye opening. His brother by the way is no longer alive. He died from an accident and not from the act of committing suicide as a lot of people suffering from schizophrenia do. As a family member, we need all the help we can get to aid in recovery.

Thank you for all you do. So sorry for your loss. You have helped me tremendously.

I have a son that was diagnosed with schizophreniform 9 years ago and went through everything that you went through with Henry. I've never told my son that he had a mental illness or was sick and that allowed him to come to this realization over time. I've seen more progress from him being off the meds, after refusal, than on the meds. Giving him unconditional love and nurturing him to give him hope has resulted in a more balanced person this day. He has come a long way and still has further to go, but he is able to reciprocate the love and care more for his hygiene. His cognitive abilities and judgement are still off, but he's able to control his emotions (psychosis) much better. I try to keep him in a positive state and provide self-help lectures, videos, and books that will bring about acceptance to the things that have occurred that he can not change in his life. He is still unable to live independently, but watching his progress in comparison to his past has convinced me that he is capable of healing his own mind without meds and with other resources...i.e..therapy to find his balance.

Dr. Amador's video and his book LEAP are profoundly moving and enlightening.

Thank you for your videos, i wish I could have run across them a few years ago before I made the errors

I cannot reiterate the effectiveness of Dr. Amador's LEAP teachings in dealing with people suffering from Anosognosia. His book: I'm not sick I don't need help, is a must read for individuals whose loved ones suffer from mental illness. Having said that, I do wish he would put more emphasis on non-medical treatments. With good reason -- the psychiatric profession is viewed by many as an arm of the pharmaceutical industry. Good, conscientious, doctors must be at the forefront of alternative, or complimentary treatments to brake the mold away from pharma based treatments -- or accept the fact that half of the population and patients will continue to view them as "pill pushers", and thereby reduce their effectiveness.

the problem with Medications is they make the sick have additional problems to deal with-- inability to function, inability to work or drive, over medication, limits on how often they can see their doctor when they are having dosage problems, being blamed for stopping the medications because of the side effects of feeling ill, being unable to speak clearly when on medications, not having the support a sick person needs to make functional decisions while living their life, community isolation, being stigmatized and then looking drugged out----while on medications.

This is exactly what I have been going threw for years.

I’m glad it helps some, not everyone is the same. Agreeing with them is not always the best solution

The difficult thing is that every caring family of a sick one has a different story to tell. All our stories are unique. So there’s no set model of helping. Even if we follow these recommended steps, what next? What if the sick one still doesn’t want help? I tried to talk to my 44 year old daughter who is sick but undiagnosed and she does the blame game, my fault this and that happened or is happening. I can’t seem to get serious with her no matter what I say.

Excellent.

This is the best help and understanding of what mental illness especially schizophrenia is I totally totally understand it so if this happened 20 years ago I can only hope with technology and information and study can only make things better my daughter is struggling with it and your book I read three years ago I didn’t know I will need it but I’m grateful that you spent the work the time and experience and I continue to pray for you…Is there anyway I can reach out to him

This is also the same way his siblings feel the same as your experience. I am at the end of my rope trying to get a AOT and they hospital keeps letting him out. Like he’s ok and he’s not

Also, there are natural alternatives to meds that helped his anxiety, depression, and sleep patterns. His environment plays a major role in relaxation and calming his fears. The hospitals and group homes seem to create more of this for him and hospitals were over medicating him. He was more comfortable and at ease being with family.

thanks for this video

1:18:06…always focus on “the core,” anything else can be bought.

Very informative but there is a subset of those who have psychosis and/or schizophrenia who have awareness of their disorder that I'm not sure he mentioned or addressed. They may be referred to as high functioning clients or patients.

.We don't live in a perfect world on this fallen earth., all meds have possible side effects, but if they help improve one's life , I believe they are worth trying. For instance when I have a headache, I take aspirin or acetaminophen. I used to be against meds but now after seeing what a profound good effect they can have, I'm of a whole different opinion.

My Girlfriend suffers from schizophrenia an she constantly says I'm ok I'm ok

Did your mom continue to stay in the same house when your brother was sick and had thoughts of mom being evil and murderous. How was that handeled. Could you suggest anything for my friend who is in the same state.

I wish you’d listened more to what was true about your heart, spirit and personality than worrying about what other people thought of your behavior.

The mental health issues discussed here are quite profound. What about the well functioning adult that is lacking insight, and no memories of childhood, prior to age 7. It seems he lacks emotional depth at age 68. (Of course this might be said of half the population.) Also, would this condition apply to Delusional individuals?

she did not comit suicide, she died from suicide.

How can I take my girlfriend for theraphy she blocked me everywhere

The monthly injections ,what are they?meaning yes an antipyschotic,but is there a specific type they use for monthly injections ,anyone pls ?

Can I be helped

Again, there is no way to hear what the audience members are saying?!!