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Death My Oldest Brother Ended His Life

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LizaB

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Somehow my oldest brother developed a kind of schizophrenia. It was so mysterious, or bizarre. He was the very handsome, successful, star of the family. But in his thirties I think he started to have some trouble.
He was smoking a lot of pot. I don't know if that was to manage what was already there or not. He was doing a lot of meditating. Then eventually he started hearing voices. A lot of them. Some were torturing him- a lot of accusations- it started to affect his relationships/family a lot.
He went to psychiatrists, and I think he tried therapy, but nothing seemed to work- the meds weren't working.
Dec.2014 he had a suicide attempt.
My mom was in Hawaii, other brother has brain injury so I felt the onus to go visit him in the hospital.
I was a religious addict at the time so I prayed like 3 rosaries on the way.
I felt alone and that I wanted support from other relatives.
But my mom said don't tell anyone cuz we need to protect his dignity.
So when I visited him I felt very afraid, (Of myself- feeling I adequate), overwhelmed, stressed, tense, etc.
I felt like I was suppressing a massive boulder of pain inside. And going about trying to be helpful in a mechanical way.
I noticed he had light and love on his eyes. He wanted me to stay longer... it was hard to be in the hospital cuz I had problems in past with suicide - hospitals. I suppose I felt pressured to go after 1 evening & morning.
I returned home & called him a few times. He wanted to talk in the morning. Again I felt very constrained, not knowing what to say, uncomfortable trying to support my oldest brother. Conversations were short.
Christmas passed. I texted but no answer.
On Dec 30 I texted briefly with him. It was short & surface-y.
On Dec 31, I got a call just leaving work, from my neice/ oldest brothers daughter/ that he passed away. He ended his life. I was in absolute shock, stayed on phone for a bit... then sat in my car for a half hour doing nothing.

Ok this is a really long story so I'm gonna do a part two later.
 
@LizaB, I'm so sorry for your loss. Suicide is very hard for the family. I can imagine it would be especially difficult for you, having your own mental health challenges and past suicide attempts or ideation. Schizophrenia is a very isolating disease, and meds often don't work, or it takes a long time to find the right medication, plus antipsychotics have a lot of side effects. I hope you don't feel guilty for not having done more. You were there to support your brother when the rest of your family was not, and you did what you could.
 
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