Blog # 12 Mental Health

Mrs Maria's life is one of a classic example of mental illness which impacts  someone life. Maria is my distance cousin who was diagnosed with schizophrenia.The illness completely change maria's life and makes her dependable on her sister and on other family member. Maria was 28 years old when the disease struck her. There was a lot of theories about her illness. some family members blame her husband and others blamed her for hers soft personality which  she could not cope with the stressful life in this country. despite, all these theories, there is one fact remain that have not been discussed: that is, the history of mental illness in the family. One of maria's brother suffered with mental illness back home in Ethiopia. After separated from her husband, maria stayed with me in Boston until she moved to Indiana to her sister care. While  maria stayed with me and my wife, i saw maria changed her behaviour and personality. She constantly complaining of hearing voice that terrifies her and threaten her to kill her self. Me and my wife arrange our work schedule to stay with her 24/7 to monitor her situation. this is one example, that mentally ill family member are  a burden to their families. Maria was on medication. the side effect of the medication makes her mouth dry and she does not have appetite and refused to eat. When the medication start working her personality become better and she engaged in normal conversion. Maria left to Indiana to her sister care. i spoke with maria and her sister frequently.Maria frustrated from her illness and she refused to take her medication. her situation be come worst and she was admitted to mental institution. Maria,s situation become better and she discharged from mental institution. Despite treatment and family support, Maria's illness become worse and she was not able to control her self. Finally she was sent to Ethiopia to her mother care. I visited maria in 1995 when i went to Ethiopia for vacation. she recognized me and she said she want to go back to america.