[4EverHis]

My placement worker called today and asked if we would be interested in going to committee for a 5 month old girl. Her mother has schizophrenia. How can I possibly know if this is something our family can handle? It seems the % is low if only one parent has this, correct? Has anyone done gone for it?

Any input will be greatly appreciated. I think if both parents had it then we would bypass this situation. What are your thoughts?

THANKS!

[MissyB9479]

There is a genetic part of the disease but exactly how much it not known. Studies show that children of a parent with the disease have an overall 5-10% chance of having it themselves (there is a 1% chance of having the disorder for those without any reletive with the disease). But there are also enviromental factors that they don't yet understand. In studies of identical twins about half the time that one twin has it the other twin won't. If it was only up to genetics then it would be 100% of the time.

The other thing to remember is that childhood schizophrenia is really quite rare. It does happen and you should be on alert for it but usually the disease presents itself in college aged people (18-24). You ask if this is something your family can handle. When you answer that question don't imagine a 3 year old or 5 year old with the disorder but an adult. In other words if you have other children in the home and are worrying about how you would handle them AND a child with schizophrenia it is most likely not a situation you will have. If she does develop the disease chances are that any older children will be out of the house or older teens who can help out around the house.

http://www.schizophrenia.com/ has a wealth of information on the topic. I presonally wouldn't turn it down just because of the diagnosis but I have worked in the mental health field so it isn't something that worries me. KWIM. I've known real people with it who end up leading good productive lives and so the diagnosis doesn't scare me the way it might someone else. At the same time you know your family and your situation better than anyone else and if, after reading more about it, you feel that it is not something you can handle then I would move on on hope that a family who is better able to meet her needs will come forward.

[mommieof2cuties]

I would read up on it and decide for yourselves what is best. Also if you have to have contact with the PBmom after placement that might be hard to do and also hard for the baby. But go with your heart and please keep us posted! Good luck in what you decide.

God Bless,
Summer

[redhedded]

4everhis, I think you have to educate yourself first then search your heart. Schizophrenia can be so so scary for people, mostly because they are so unfamiliar, there are many unknowns and what is presented through the media is so sensationalized. It is serious and can mean constant attention, advocacy and awareness, as a parent, but so can many many other things. We do not know how our children's lives will progress; we can give them love and the tools to be safe and succeed, but things happen all of the time that are entirely out of our control.

My mother was diagnosed with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis when she was 25 years old; she is still walking, healthy and loving life though some days are an incredible struggle for her. Her own mother, my grandmother, was advised to have no more children. She did not listen and had my mother. She died of congestive heart failure when my mother was 15 years old. My own son has a heart condition; it is scary but manageable. His developmental prognosis at birth was questionable at best because of his very traumatic birth; today he is a healthy and wonderfully happy 7 month old. My daughter is highly gifted and has, statistically, a huge predisposition to depression and maladjustment. My son's cardiologist, who refers to my daughter as a prodigy, told me last week that I will worry ten times more about her, her emotional adjustment and her education than I will ever worry about my son's heart condition. (his own son is also gifted and he knows the incredible stress that can accompany the fun and rare experience of parenting such a child) My cousin, is schizophrenic; he was diagnosed in his mid thirties, which is quite common. He had no familial indicators and never experienced any mental health issue. He experienced an emotionally traumatic event that may have triggered any predisposition. He takes medication everyday, runs a company and is a happy, responsible contributing member of our society.

Environment can play a huge role in the success of treatment and management of symptoms and even in the likelihood that the illness will present. Missy, gave you great information; while there may be precursors to schizophrenia and other Axis I diagnoses, it is unlikely to present until post puberty or later. Do you have an internist or know a psychiatrist with whom you feel comfortable and trust? I would contact her/him and talk, ask questions, etc. Find out from the social worker, when sharing is permitted, how the mother is doing on medication; is she stable? Finally, you will have a built in safety device with the knowledge of illness of what to be sensitive to and will have access to professionals that can assist you in finding valuable community resources, such as child psychiatrists, psychologists and parent support groups. I wish you luck and peace.