Laura

My name is Laura. My brother was dignsosed with Schizophrenia when he was 24, I was 13. That was 24 years ago.

It has been a rocky road but throughout it all we have both always tried to be there for each other. We remain very close, most of the time, although sometimes I find his illness really frustrating. I have learnt that there are no right answers. I actually work for the NHS in mental health and I find it as frustrating from the inside as I do from the outside.

Posts by Laura

Why did you kill my dad? My own response

03 March 2010 | Posted by Laura | 3 comments

Topics: Siblings, Stigma and discrimination

I have just watched Julian Hendy’s documentary, 'Why Did You Kill My Dad?' I have now stopped crying, I have read some articles about this on the internet and it has all left me feeling incredibly sad, sick, frustrated, worried and angry.

Giving up just isn’t an option…

23 July 2009 | Posted by Laura | 7 comments

Topics: Siblings, Family and friends, Health professionals

I wish I could say that my brother is getting better and that the care that he is getting from mental health services is helping, but I can’t I’m afraid. Worse of all I have to admit that very recently I think I came close to giving up.

Money Madness

20 April 2009 | Posted by Laura | 6 comments

Topics: Siblings, Family and friends, Work and money

I am not sure if I am experiencing something familiar to others but the subject of money and my brother’s finances is taking up so much of my time at the moment. I hope you don’t mind me getting this off my chest and I would really like to hear what other’s perspectives are on what is happening.

Good To Talk?

09 March 2009 | Posted by Laura | 5 comments

Topics: Siblings, Health professionals, Medication and therapies

I have been finding it hard to know what to write about. Things are fairly calm, for me anyway, but unfortunately my brother is still very unwell and still detained under a section.

Am I becoming a serial complainer?

09 February 2009 | Posted by Laura | 12 comments

Topics: Siblings, Health professionals, Services

I just thought that I would share something about my experience of having a brother with serious mental illness. I am not sure his exact label but we have three to pick from Schizophrenia, Bipolar disorder or Schizoaffective disorder. I don’t really care I only know how it affects his life, mine and the rest of my family.