DEAR DR. GOTT: My sister and I are caring for both our mother and a sister who has schizophrenia. Unfortunately, this sister is in the last stages of our being able to care for her at home. She refuses to take her medicines and has become totally unmanageable. Our mother refuses to consider making a commitment one way or another about her and instead reads your column. She uses it as the final word on my sister’s illness. It is all we can do to hang on because of the verbally abusive behavior and her sudden physical violence. Please, Dr. Gott, don’t write any more columns about cures for mental illness.

DEAR READER: Upon reading your letter, I felt to compelled to answer it quickly despite your protest. I have never offered a cure in regards to any type of mental illness. In fact, most forms of mental disease are not curable, but many are treatable if the patient is compliant. [Read more...]