The "Crazy" Guy In The Garage...Part II

We wrote about him months ago, before our trip to England with James.

Right before we left this person, this "crazy guy" in the garage,  was admitted to a mental hospital

A few months later, upon our return, we got to find out how he has progressed with his medications.

The Stepdad said "crazy guy" had gone off his medications, because of the cost involved. Even though this man makes plenty of money at his job, he still could not see the benefit of medication he needed,  because, among other things, he is not mentally well.

He started substituting alcohol for his medications, which can sometimes feel better, but doesn't do the same job as medications. Even though we are usually against medications, in the case of diagnosed schizophrenia we are supportive of such medications.

This last couple of weeks this young man got admitted, again, not by The Stepdad and The Mother,  this time by his family (because it is hard to admit a person in the United States if you are not family) to a mental facility.

He has since been released.

He is here every day again. Literally. This house is his second home.

Tonight James worked several hours with him. All the while this man, on medication for schizophrenia, and other disorders, was drinking heavily.

"He can't drink on those! He shouldn't be driving" we told James, after inquiring as to the whereabouts of The Mother and The Stepfather, and finding out they had went to follow him home, just to make sure he would be safe.

James can tell this man is not taking his medication. When a person is schizophrenic you can tell. This young man (he is probably near our age), for whatever reason, has decided to not take his meds. Again. Less than a week after being released from a mental health facility.

It doesn't help he has a bit of a learning disability.

Yes, he works. A surprising amount of people who suffer from schizophrenia work. It's a common misconception that people with "severe" mental illness can't/don't work.

When we were diagnosed with the same disorder, over ten year ago, we were monitored by the hospital/medical professionals. The same should be done for this man.

We only write this tonight to help us, if anybody, realize the lack of care that has developed in the United States in regard to mental health; an almost revolving door response to mental health care, as medications grow increasingly popular...and real care decreases.

This man, a nice young man, with a smile on his face, is mentally ill. The people around him can tell. He has been admitted to mental hospitals twice in less than a year, yet no professional seems to be monitoring him. He has to depend on people who care about him, some times reluctantly, and tirelessly, to make sure he is safe.

It's just another thing that makes us sad.