[Kymom2b]

I am a lurker here, but I need some advice and thought you guys could help me. My dh and I are pursuing a domestic adoption and have just been presented with a situation that needs a fast responce from us. I know there are several nurses on here and many knowledgable moms Our potential birth mom is in the hospital as we speak and is a schizophrenic (sp?) and the PBF supposedly has schizophrenia also. We know very little about this and I don't have a lot of time for research as she is already in labor. Can anyone offer any advise or knowledge? Other than the mental health issue the situation is perfect for us.

I trust any info you guys would give me!!! I know there are many dedicated forum members on the Guate boards and I knew I would get a reply here. Hope you don't mind....
Thanks so much!!!

[bjmom]

Liz,
I'm not a nurse nor any type of medical professional, but I would be wary of accepting a referral w/a family history of schizophrenia, especially when both birth parents have it. There is a genetic link w/this illness. Plus, it is very difficult to care for someone w/schizophrenia b/c the person often refuses to take his/her medication and has to be overseen constantly. I believe this illness often starts manifests in the teens and 20s.

[WVUMom418]

I'm not a nurse or medical person either but I have heard the same thing as bjmom that this is a condition that can be passed on to your children. I would not make any quick decisions without doing more research.

This is from a website: "Although the exact cause of schizophrenia remains unknown, experts agree that schizophrenia develops as a result of interplay between biological predisposition (for example, inheriting certain genes) and the kind of environment you are exposed to. These lines of research are beginning to converge: brain development disruption is likely the result of genetic and/or environmental stressors early in development (during pregnancy or early childhood), leading to subtle alterations in the brain. Environmental factors later in development can either damage the brain further and further increase the risk of schizophrenia, or lessen the expression of genetic or neurodevelopmental defects and decrease the risk of schizophrenia.

Neither of these two categories is completely determinant, and there is no prescribed amount of genetic or environmental input that will ensure someone will or will not develop schizophrenia. Moreover, causal situations may be different for different individuals - while one person may develop schizophrenia due to a strong family history of mental illness, someone else with much less genetic vulnerability may also develop the disease due to a significant pre-natal or environmental stressor during their lives."

[keltsalazar]

There is a very well documented link between genetics and schizophrenia. I am a licensed professional in mental health. Insist on doing more research!

Allison
mom to Daniel
Waiting for Ruth and Pink

[Shay]

I was just wondering if you had an update...best of luck to you!!!

[Nickcole]

I have been taking pre-med courses for about three years now and I am going into the RN Program, this Spring 2006.
I have taken many classes and I can tell you this, this disorder is genetic and with both birth mom and birth dad having this disorder, I myself would decline this referal. Unless, you are absoulutely willing to live with and take care of this childs possible delicate medical needs, for it's enitre life long.
Many individuals with this disorder are not capable of living alone and need constant supervision and care.
A disorder like this, could also lead into several other disorders.
I have a friend who's son has this disorder and along with it, he is also Germa phobic, Obssesive compulsive disorder, he is afraid to go out in public places and only dumps the garbage at night, when he feels he will not be seen. He will not even go to town to help his mother buy clothes for him, so she is forced to go alone and guess on the appropriate sizes. This makes it very hard on her, as for she ends up going back several times, to exchange clothes, that he doesn't like or that are the wrong size. This child never takes his medicine unless, forced, he will never be able to take care of himself properly. He is 19 now and is not able to care for himself. He has to have constant supervision. He litteraly can not function in society without the help of other's. He will never live on his own. He can't.
You need to be aware that one disorder could result in several other's.
You would need to be prepared to be a very strong and nurturing person, to except the responsibilities of all that you could be facing, in accepting the referal of this baby.
You and you alone, no what you are capable of. I would put some very serious thought into this, before I said yes to this referal. I would also read up on all of these disorders and there are several other's, that I haven't even listed on here, that could apply in this situation.
I will reiderate, if it were me, I would not except this referal, but then again that's just me. I would not be able to handle this situation. Good luck with your decission.

[apetry26]

Liz, I am a nurse and will tell you that Schizophrenia is genetic. I don't know the exact incident rate or how likely this child is to develop the disorder. I would be very cautious in accepting a referral knowing this medical history. I know you said that you don't have time to research, I would atleast do an online search or ask the advice of the Pediatrician that will be caring for your child. Don't make an uninformed decision of this importance in haste--- Do your homework and become educated...