Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] My brother who is 57 is both schizophrenic and bipolar. These disorders began when he was in his early teens. He always takes his medication. There are times when he does a lot, helps out a lot and times when he says he just can t. One of my brothers thinks he is lazy and that he should force himself esp when he hangs around all day smoking a cigar. He doesn t bathe often. How do I make him understand that he just can t do certain things at certain times? Thanks
[|AI|]  Hi Madam have gone through your question and understand your concerns regarding your brother. As per the history provided by you, your brother is suffering from a disease which needs so much of personal care. Schizophrenia is a chronic disease where medications should be used regularly. Mostly, this disease cant be cured completely. With medication, we only suppress the symptoms of the disease similar to diabetes or hypertension. So, when medication stopped suddenly or taken irregularly, disease revert. So, my advice is to take medication regularly and in prescribed form as advised by the psychiatrist. Regarding course of illness in schizophrenia, we commonly talk about Chat Doctor.  In schizophrenic patients, they gradually deteriorate in all fields involving social, emotional, occupational functioning. So, gradually they don't study, don't participate in family interactions, lack judgmental capacity, stop going to job, soon...so, my final advise: 1)never discontinue medications.2)gather information and understand disease process in schizophrenia3) please understand that he's not pretending4) always be emphatic and caring towards schizophrenic patients in any time and in any situation.5)be ready to accept the truth that he will have problems with judgmental capacity, contact with reality and insights regarding his disease.