'I am growing too old to look after my schizophrenic son'

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I am growing too old to look after my schizophrenic son
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Published: Sun 16 Oct 2016, 8:54 PM

Last updated: Mon 17 Oct 2016, 1:27 PM

In the chilly winter of December 2013, when the then 30-year-old Adeel Afzal disappeared from his home in Sharjah, it took nine days to locate him. When he was finally found on the streets of Dubai, Adeel was taken back to his family house in Sharjah, but the police did not press any charges against him because he is schizophrenic.
Today, his father, Pakistani national Muhammad Afzal, has appealed to authorities to take his mentally ill adult son in because he can no longer care for him.

What is schizophrenia?
In schizophrenia, there are, 'positive' and 'negative' symptoms. Positive symptoms are recurrent hallucinations and delusions. Most common are auditory hallucinations. This is as if the patient is hearing 'voices' and experiencing that someone is talking to them, while they don't see anyone. These 'voices' often order the patient to do something.
Delusions are also common, especially paranoia. The patient can be convinced, for example, that they are followed by the secret service, that there are hidden cameras watching them or that someone is trying to poison them. The positive symptoms are not really 'positive', but that is how it's called.
Negative symptoms are like lack of initiative, apathy and reduction of speech. Usually schizophrenia starts with 'positive' symptoms and gradually, in the course of years, become worse. Schizophrenia is considered to be a life-long disease, but there is a great variety in severity and impairment.
(As told by Dr Willem Vrolijk, psychiatrist at German Neuroscience Centre)     
"My son is a young male adult (33), and once he starts getting these fits, it is not possible to control him ... I am growing too old for that. I have been caring for him for the past 18 years, and I am tired now," said Afzal while speaking to Khaleej Times after he sent an e-mail asking for intervention.
In 2000, Adeel was just 17 and in the US for higher studies when he started showing symptoms of his illness. "I brought him back here hoping that he would get well. But this did not happen and he went from bad to worse."
Afzal, who is diabetic, said he no longer has the physical strength to control his son. "He becomes hyperactive and keeps ranting all day and night ... The only rest we get is when he is asleep for four to five hours after taking medicine," said Afzal, a retired bank employee who stays in Sharjah with his wife, another son and a daughter.
Adeel has tried to run away from his home several times due to his illness. "In December 2013, he disappeared and we all, including the police, searched for him for nine days. He was later found in Dubai," said the father. "Now we keep doors locked at all times."
Limited treatment options
However, Afzal doesn't have much choice in Dubai. The only psychiatric hospital in Dubai, Al Amal Hospital, gives preference to Emirati patients. Though Rashid Hospital's mental health ward admits expatriate patients, a certain criteria has to be met to qualify for long-term care. 
"Insurance does not cover mental illness," said Afzal. "I spend between Dh1,000 to Dh1,500 on his medicines and sometimes source them from a friend in India. But this is not enough. He needs rehabilitation and proper treatment which I am unable to provide." 
Afzal, who has been a UAE resident for 28 years, is worried about his son's future. "I left Pakistan years ago and there is no one who can take care of my burden ... As long as I am alive, I can care for my son but what will happen to him after my death?" 
Adeel's condition has taken toll on the entire family. "We are exhausted." 
Dr Willem Vrolijk, psychiatrist at German Neuroscience Centre, agreed that the situation can be a big shock for the patient's family. "It's a big shock when a loved one has the mentioned symptoms. It leads to confusion, anger, denial sadness, despair and great concern," he said.
"The patient always needs treatment but admission to a psychiatric hospital, or the psychiatric ward of a general hospital depends on the symptoms, especially when hallucinations or delusions lead to dangerous situations, for the patient or others."
He said that hallucinations and delusions are treated with medication. "Anti-psychotics usually work well and hallucinations and delusions disappear."
However, the cost of caring varies. "There is a big variety in costs. If admission to a clinic is needed, of course the costs will be much higher than when the patient is doing good on medication and functions well in society," he added. 
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com

by

Asma Ali Zain

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