A Factitious Disorder?
The imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit
A faithful and loving husband
The filial son
Daughter-in-law, grand daughter
I’ve included everyone’s pictures in this post, from caring field-worker, to concerned husband, to filial children. And left out my patient’s picture. I am baffled. She was suffering from schizophrenia and recovering so well. She was conversing, helping around the house, living what I thought was a fruitful and joyful life with her supportive family. Then recently they called me saying she was suffering from tremors. She could no longer get out of bed. She was very discouraged.
When we visited I realized every time I was able to distract her she would stop shaking. If she was deep in thought or conversation, the tremors would go away. I’ve seen this in several of our women patients and one male patient. I don’t understand this very well. When they are this way, their entire family rallies around them, family members have to work extra hard because they now have also to perform the chores of their loved one whose ‘ill’. Meanwhile the caregivers themselves are exhausted, wearied from the extra chores and burdens, wondering if the person they are caring for will ever get well.
I don’t really know how to react to this. How should we pr for such patients and friends? What would be helpful behaviour and response?
One Response to “A Factitious Disorder?”
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It is impossible to know why things happen the way they do. I just went through a family issue that made me so angry (not my family here, but my folks). Does Father not see my anguish? And yet, why do I cry like I do; when I know that they do not know or acknowledge Father. In your situation; you have so many to care for; your care giver gives so much of herself to so many others…does Father hear us? Well…I am learning that He does hear us; but a reminder to you as well as myself; His ways are not our ways. They just aren’t. But, he has a plan for caregiver, Uncle, sick woman with tremors, Daughter-in-law, and grand daughter. Job said it best: “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and not accept adversity?” My prayers are with you, Fang Fang, and for all of us who are going through adversity at this time. Be still and Know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). I love you all… Susan Swift