Episode 6 -- My only child has schizophrenia

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“My only child has severe paranoid schizophrenia and also borderline personality disorder. I did everything possible to keep her safe, medicated and in her own apartment for 10 years. The stress of dealing with her threats and terrifying behavior eventually destroyed my health. Two years ago she abandoned her apartment and she has been on the streets ever since. For the first time since she was born, I am now trying to take care of myself. Taking care of me is very hard. I know I need to do it, but I don't know how. This is something I will work on for the rest of my life. The only person I have is me so I need to treat me better. I have a plan in place. I found a counsellor who does trauma therapy for people with (developmental, complex, core) trauma. I have a high "aces" score so I had my own significant childhood trauma issues which were never healed. I start counselling this week. Please wish me luck or send me blessings. I can use all the help I can get.”

Stella mentions the Philip Larkin poem called This Be the Verse.

Lisa mentions a quote from James Hollis which can be found in his book Mythologems. He says “[The parents] were there at the beginning, they were the mediators of all experience with the larger world, and diffused or intensified the inherent trauma through which this life is experienced.” p. 43.