Schizophrenic Mothers and Parenting

The Mayo Clinic defines schizophrenia as a severe brain disorder in which someone interprets and defines reality in an abnormal or distorted way. Hallucinations, delusional thinking and distorted behavior can cause a schizophrenic to act out of a normal realm of thinking.

Schizophrenia is considered a lifelong disorder that can affect both men and women. Medline Plus explains that most women are diagnosed in their mid 20s to early 30s. Because of the distortion of reality, a mother who suffers from schizophrenia may abuse her child. Medicines that help control the symptoms of the disease may only temporarily help. A child who is caught in the crossfire of a mother who is lashing out may experience verbal, physical and long term emotional abuse and neglect.

If a mother who has schizophrenia is unable to control her symptoms; she may enter a state of psychosis. This happens when she has lost a grasp on reality. She may have false ideas or hallucinations as to what she is doing or what is actually taking place explains The New York Times Health Guide. This could place her child in serious harm's way. Hearing voices that tell her to do harmful things to her child or having an overwhelming urge to hurt herself or others are possible outcomes of schizophrenia related child abuse.

Cognitive and medicinal therapy are recommended by most health professionals, explains Healthy Place. Anti-psychotic drugs such as clozapine, help curb symptoms of schizophrenia and make it more manageable to function as a parent. Some drugs may need to be adjusted over time, until the dosage benefits the patient. Some of the side effects of the drugs can worsen symptoms or increase anger and anxiety. Cognitive therapy will help the mother learn how to rationalize her behavior through the plateaus of drug therapy.

If you are a mother who suffers from schizophrenia and you feel overwhelmed as a parent, reach out for help. Contact your physician for a referral to your local mental health office for professional support and group therapy. Ask your family and friends for help with household chores or relieving parent duties temporarily. During a period of psychosis, strong anxiety or distortion from reality, you need to be in a safe place and so does your child. Be sure to call someone who will help you. Feelings of intense disorganization, paranoia and catatonic behavior can lead to you hurting your child physically or thinking he is someone or something else. His needs could go unmet or he could be hurt in the process.

If you have a diagnosis of schizophrenia and have abused your child or are thinking about it, you will need to be evaluated by a medical doctor or psychologist. This will prevent you from hurting your child and from going to jail for abuse. This will allow you to be treated properly, re-socialized with your lifestyle and able to provide a safe and caring home for your child.

Mayo Clinic Staff, Schizophrenia Mayo Clinic
Medline Plus Staff, Schizophrenia Medline Plus
The New York Times Health Guide, Psychosis The New York Times
National Institute of Mental Health, Treatment of Schizophrenia Healthy Place