What common issues/concerns do children of parents with schizophrenia deal with, and how do they cope?
All of these children, whether young or old, naturally have strong feelings surrounding their parent, their childhood, and the disease, that affect them in a variety of ways throughout their own lives. Many will choose (or have chosen) various defense mechanisms to help them cope with their unique situations, including self-involvment (i.e. self blame), dispacing anger or grief, denial, and defensive exclusion (emotional detachment or distancing). These protective efforts can eventually lead to long-term emotional patterns such as “anxious and ambivalent” attachments, “compulsive caregiving,” or avoidance of all “affectional ties.” (paraphrased from When Madness Comes Home by Victoria Secunda, p. 52). Some of the common issues raised by offspring on our discussion boards include: 1. Boundaries: When you grow up with a parent who invades every aspect of your life in unpredictable and sometimes dangerous ways, you can’t learn when to say no, when to back off of other people, etc. 2. Loya
