How do I get help when my schizophrenic son refuses?

Are you the legal guardian? I wasn’t clear from your post. Either way, I’d get legal advice on your rights and responsibilities under the law from an attorney. Often, the legal guardian decides where the ward lives. This authority by you may provide incentive for him to accept medical treatment.

Yes I am mom and legal guardian.i am widow and he is my only adult child. We have lived together 6 years now. I have become conditioned to his condition. He worked 30 years on psych meds, and then they stopped working. He refuses more pills and doctors. I'm stuck. I called everyone, no help because he refuses.

Hi,
Have you contacted NAMI? They might have suggestions. Is he a danger to self or others at this time? I don't know the rules in your state but sometimes they can be put on a 72 hour psychiatric hold for evaluation. If you are his guardian and have legal powers over health then this could be a solution. Hope your situation will improve soon

@celia16 thank you for your comment. He is non violent. He's a gentle giant but off meds worries me. I'll try NAMI. We are in the Catskill mountains out in the boonies. Not a lot of dependable services. I've called crisis lines, the police spoke to him. They say they can't force him to go to hospital if he refuses. He refuses. He's not dangerous. I'll try NAMI

@pta, getting as much information as possible is good, but I would encourage you to get legal advice. As his guardian you are responsible for his care, so if he is harmed or harms others, you may be held responsible. Just because he has not been violent before, doesn’t mean he can’t become that way without meds.

You describe him as psychotic. This would concern me and I don’t think I’d live with his decision to not take prescribed meds. If he refuses, I’d seek legal advice about transferring guardianship to another (perhaps the state or county) and having him relocated.
This may sound harsh, but I had a good friend who was seriously injured by her adult son who was diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Best of luck to you and your son.

@celia16 thank you. I do at least have it set up legally that the county will take over guardianship when I am gone because I don't have any relatives to do so. They visit once a month. About NAMI, we have a small chapter here but they don't call back so far. I appreciate your advice. Thank you. I never give up seeking resources and help.

@stephstephenstroud ephanieann

Thank you. He is not a danger to self or others. We don't see people too often we are isolated. He is a loner. No friends. In between delusional behavior which is usually late in the day, he is lucid. I savor those moments and try talking while he is in "normal" phase. He's a very sweet man. But refuses help. And has lots of fears when delusional. I understand all this because I'm living it. I just can't get help! I have unsurmountable patience. But sad that he refuses help. He also needs a CBC blood panel done to see if he has underlying health issues. I'm going to try and get a nurse from the hospital to come up here to do one.

Hi
Your local NAMI chapter may be too small or lack resources which is perhaps why you have not heard from them. I suggest contacting the Nami which is in the largest city in your state to see if they have zoom meetings. Many NAMI chapters do have zoom meetings. Also try contacting a psychiatric social worker at your nearest psychiatric hospital. To Find a Local Affiliate: Use the NAMI Find Your Local NAMI tool to locate the affiliate
Register Online: Most virtual groups require pre-registration through the affiliate's website. Once registered, you will typically receive an email with the Zoom link and meeting ID. Hope this helps.

Thank you, I will try to find a psychiatric social worker at a hospital in a larger area. And I'll try NAMI in a larger area.