Hearing about Focused Listening and feeling hopeful about it and actually getting a schizophrenic to start a listening program may not be quick and easy. Diane was enthusiastic about Focused Listening in February. Her son, the youngest schizophrenic  person in this group, came on board with the idea, cautiously, in June.

Reporting Period: February 20, 2018 to June 24, 2018

#3 Harry

Diane is the divorced and working mother of Harry, 18, a high school student who started hearing voices about two years ago. Harry’s father, a high school teacher, is interested in his son’s well-being but Harry lives with Diane. Harry seemed capable of hurting himself, and was hospitalized for three days on risperidone. His medication was managed by a psychiatric assistant. Over time, the questions asked of Harry and his answers led to increases in his dosage until his parents “said no.” Harry did not take the medication regularly because it made him tired. He started to self-medicate with cannabis. His drinking also became a problem. Harry has visual and audio hallucinations. Sometimes he hears voices suggesting suicide.

Based on articles they read, Harry’s parents obtained some “zero THC” liquid cannabis, which did not seem to improve Harry’s symptoms. Diane tried to get an audiogram for Harry but he was not compliant. After trying for months to get Harry to try Focused Listening, Dianne succeeded in getting him to try Focused Listening for oa couple of weeds (to June 24, 2018). Diane reported:

• Harry worked super hard and was able to earn his high school diploma. He did not walk in the graduation ceremony, but the diploma was earned which was a huge accomplishment for him!
• He is working at the AAA baseball field (which is also where his dad and I hold 2nd jobs). He is working with the grounds crew (outside, fresh air), with his dad most of those days. The job means extra money for him and gets him out of the house as well.
• He is no longer able to drive his car because he lost his insurance due to too many accidents. I remember you saying, Laurna, that he shouldn’t be driving. You were correct. Luckily no one was ever injured.
• He has goals of learning a trade, currently to become an electrician. He wants to be married and have a family. I have talked to him about getting his health in order before those things can happen.
• He was refusing to try Focused Listening and seeking any other help a few months back. He was choosing to “medicate” himself with alcohol and weed. That has stopped for the most part that I have been able to see. He is smoking cigarettes now, which I find awful, but I am picking and choosing my battles.
• He is very difficult to talk to and considers my questions and help to be invasive. He is sullen most days. Harry is not hanging out with any friends and spends most days (when not working), watching tv, on the internet, in the backyard, and occasionally working out at home.
• I tiptoe around him quite a bit. I am having a hard time figuring out what is typical 18-year-old behavior vs. mental health issues. He attacks my parenting a lot and is convinced I ruined him. He is forgetful and not remorseful (leaving gates/doors open resulting in missing pets . . . now found).
• On the flip side, I think the voices were becoming too much for him. He did open up and tell me he wanted help. I could tell he was trying Focused Listening because I saw the headphones out and the sketchbooks drawn in. He doesn’t discuss it much, but I was encouraged by the signs. He says he tries to do it for 20 minutes a day. It’s a start.
• I know your feelings on medication. He finally agreed to see a psychiatrist, which I also found encouraging . . . as a sign that he is ready to help figure this out and improve his life. Yes, she is a medication pusher, but I am hoping it will level him out enough to give Focused Listening more time and effort. He is trying 1.5 of Vraylar a day, a newer drug.
• My goal is to keep him going on the Focused Listening, especially now that I am home a little more for the summer.