Support Group, Class Offers Help
to Mentally Ill, Their Families

October 2, 2003

Imaginary friends. Strange voices. Hallucinations.

In California, Mary Bryan of San Antonio Heights, Claire Beardsley of Claremont and Stan McAfee of Upland share a common bond. Their children have schizophrenia, an uncurable mental illness depicted in the movie "A Beautiful Mind," starring Russell Crowe.

Bryan's son Kevin was a typical kid who never caused any trouble. After graduating Damien High School he attended UC Santa Barbara. But before his 21st birthday, he had a severe psychotic breakdown after experiencing voices and visions. The diagnosis was schizophrenia, a serious but treatable medical illness of the brain that affects about 2 million Americans.

"It was a shock for us. Not so much for him because he was hallucinating. So he really didn't know," said Bryan. "We bailed him out of jail on a Sunday and he was at the psychiatrist on Monday. We started him on treatment right away."

That experience led Bryan, 59, and her physician husband Patrick Bryan, 60, down an uncharted path into the world of mental illness.

"I knew absolutely nothing about mental illness. I had a really hard time dealing with it because I didn't understand what was going on," she said.

Beardsley's son was 26 when he was diagnosed.

"I didn't even know how to spell schizophrenia," she said. "It was a very traumatic time for me and certainly for the rest of the family."

McAfee's son was diagnosed in 1994 and lived on the street about 16 months after his episode before being diagnosed.

"The voices became so strong that he admitted himself to the hospital," McAfee said.

After a two-week stay in the psychiatric ward the doctor sent him home to rest several months before finding work. Several weeks turned into five years. After several part-time jobs his son lives alone in Carlsbad.

"Even though the medications are effective, he's still hearing voices and has nightmares," McAfee said.

Bryan, Beardsley and McAfee found help and comfort with the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), Pomona Valley, a support group for family and friends. Bryan and McAfee are now co-presidents. Bryan learned that her son couldn't help his condition because it was a chemical imbalance.

"Fortunately, I found this support group. Gradually, I started reading and getting an education about mental illness. Life was much more tolerable at home. I understood what was happening. I wasn't angry," Bryan said. They took the NAMI Family-to-Family course, a free 12-week course for family and friends of individuals with serious mental illness and brain disorders. Empowered by what they learned, Bryan and Beardsley were trained to teach the course.

The next 12-week session begins Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Claremont Presbyterian Church in Claremont, the same location where the NAMI support group meets. The classes coincide with Mental Health Month in October. Advance registration is required because class size is limited.

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"By coming to the class they see other people in the same situation. It makes it very supportive for them," Beardsley said. "It's important for people to know they didn't cause it to happen, for people not to feel guilty about it." Bryan said they hear sad stories. Some people are in denial. Others think it's laziness or that their child will grow out of it. The onset of schizophrenia is between 16 and 26 years of age.

"It just ruins young people's lives. Most all are very bright and stricken down in the prime of their lives," Bryan said.

Beardsley said it's a tragedy.

"It destroys a life. You can make a new life, but it's different if the medication is effective,"she said. "It's one thing to read about it in a book and to experience it personally."

The classes empower family members by educating them on up-to-date information on schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder and addictive disorders. The class gives information on medications, side effects, problem solving and strategies for handling crises and relapses. "It's a brilliant idea because it's families teaching families about mental illness," Bryan said. "We know more about mental illness now than your average psychiatrist."

More information on a NAMI support group in your community.

Source: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Ontario, California

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