Why don’t you introduce yourself?
Hi, my name’s Tim. I’m 17 years old. I have voice issues in my head. Schizoaffective. I can’t pronounce that word.
What do you mean, “voice issues?”
Like, voices in my head.
What do they say to you?
To beat people up. Run away.
Do they ever say anything nice?
No.
Can you hear them now?
No.
Why not?
They’re gone right now.
Why do you think that is?
My meds are working.
What meds do you take?
I dunno. Clozapine.
What’s not so good about your meds?
They make me tired. Blood draws suck. I have one once a month.
How many voices do you hear?
Two.
How are they different?
They say different things. I don’t want to say what.
How do you like your school?
Good. We have basketball courts. I like sports.
Do you have a job?
Yes. I put stuff together. I put stuff in boxes and deliver them to different, like, places.
Do you go to school?
Yep. I study math, money, reading, some science. We’re studying about Cindy Bentley.
Who’s that?
She did a lot of sports a long time ago. She has the same problems I do. But she still played sports professionally. (mom’s note: Tim classifies as developmentally disabled due to the IQ he’s lost due to psychosis)
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I wanna help pets out. I want to take care of them. If people don’t take care of them, I will help them.
Like a shelter?
Yeah.
What else?
I want to have dogs. I wanna have many pets. Four.
We have four now. 🙂
Yeah.
You want four of your own?
Yeah.
What kind?
I don’t know. It doesn’t matter.
Do you feel different than other kids?
Yeah. I have a friend who has a car. I don’t drive. He can drive. Another flies planes. He’s really lucky.
What else do you want people to know about you?
I’m good at sports. My voices make me different, but not dangerous. I’ll have to take meds forever. I don’t like taking meds, but they help me.
Anything else you want to say?
No. Merry Christmas, everybody. If you have any questions, send them to my mom and I will try and answer them.
Hi Tim! Thanks for your willingness to be interviewed. I have a son who is 14, he likely has Early Onset Schizophrenia. It's been really difficult since he was 6, and things aren't much better, even on Clozaril. If you could tell me, what has been the most helpful to you in terms of dealing with your family? My son has a lot of difficulty at home. God bless you, I'll be praying for you. 🙂
Hi Jenifer – Tim says, "I have my own space in my own room. I have a place to go and calm down when I need to. I have to remember my mom cares. I carry my iPod all the time because music helps. It helps me relax."
Hi Tim!
Thanks for being interviewed by mom. You are awesome!
Here is my question: What would you tell police officers to do to help a kid who is having crisis? What should we say to a kid to calm them?
Thanks Tim! You are the best!
Officer Julie 🙂
Hi Tim! Thanks for sharing. I have an eight year old girl who has psychotic breaks. They scare her a lot. She sees things as well as hears them. Do you have any advice I could share with them? It is really comforting to hear your plans for your future!
Hi Julie and GB's Mom!
Tim has gone to bed already meds, ugh – so we will answer these tomorrow! Thanks!
Officer Julie – here is Tim's answer: "I've had police officers come to my house. Ask what's going on. Don't get angry with me, it makes me upset. If they tell me they are here to help, that helps me. But I know you so I know police are here to help me because you do that."
GB's mom – here's Tim's answer: "That's a good question. Tell her that, ah, it's good to tell your mom or doctor if you're hearing or seeing things. They are there to help you. I try and ignore them, but if I can't, I ask for help – a PRN or call my mom to talk about it. It helps to talk to someone you trust about them."
Hey Tim,
It's nice to "meet you". I think it's cool that you like animals, I like them too. What's great is there are so many ways to work with them, from grooming animals to rescue shelters or even working at farms or stables (especially if you like horses, which I do). Do you have any opportunities to Volunteer and work with animals?
Hi TwisterB. Tim says, "I only have my dogs at home right now, but I have trained them to do tricks and walk on a leash. I'm good at it." (mom's note – he is very good at it!)