Hello
@chromeMy husband has a late onset diagnosis (symptoms started roughly 16 years ago at age 40). He has proven diagnostically challenging and at present the working diagnosis is bipolar ii but in the mix is an older diagnosis of a form of Sz that is no longer used - one where the symptoms present as neuroses and anxiety but the underlying cause is thought to be Sz. He has mainly negative symptoms, he did have a depressive delusion/s which was difficult to diagnose as he is a spiritual person, the delusions went with treatment; he does not have anosognosia.
At present the BPii treatment is helping with some but not all of his symptoms and he is having his meds tweaked, if successful it could mean that the Sz diagnosis is possible as the drug he is presently on is used to treat both conditions and quite often at similar dosages.
Side effects are a concern at any age but there are more challenges as a patient gets older.
On the "what's new" tab I have put some links in to some talks on anosognosia - these were really helpful to me in relation to Mr Darcy's delusions. There is also a link to 60 tips for helping people with schizophrenia.
As mental illness puts a strain on even the most robust of relationships, there are not so many of us who are in long term relationships with our partners who have mental illness. It is important that we look after our own mental health as there is a high rate of depression among carers. There are a lot of supports available and I urge you to access them.
I am happy to answer any questions you might have or listen if you need to vent, verbalising frustrations is quite therapeutic.
Darcy
