How do you discuss with a 11 year old boy about a mentally ill father. Any advice?

Advice on what the child may be feeling, i have tried to openly discuss that he is sick, but how much should i discuss it, how much will he understand it. What might he be thinking? I think he is holding it in? Should he talk to his father who reassures him that he is fine but really he is not fine at all and refuses to admit he is schizophreic and refuses medication? Hope to hear from someone who may have had a smiliar experience or mental professional?How do you discuss with a 11 year old boy about a mentally ill father. Any advice?
Funny. I remember when I was 11 not a long time ago and my mother was schizophrenic and my sister told me about it, and how she refuses to take medication.


She really just told me, and I understood it all and I guess I didn't deny it because she certainly acts like it. Don't get upset with the boy at all and please please be there for him and answer his questions. There's really not much more you can do.How do you discuss with a 11 year old boy about a mentally ill father. Any advice?
I'm pretty sure the 11 year old already knows.


I don't know what he is thinking, has he been abused? etc..


He'll understand it, kids are smarter than we give credit.





I have two parents suffering mental illness


Mother - Schizo-affective and MPD


Father - Schizo-affective, Early alzheimers, brain damage





My father wasn't diagnosed until I was already 15, but I knew for as long as I can remember that he was schizophrenic, I knew at age 4.





A symptom of schizophrenia is denial. They may go on medication, but take themselves off because they are convinced they are fine, there really is no way around this.





My father doesn't admit he has schizophrenia, but he takes his medication, luckily, because he thinks he is taking it for the Alzheimers. I don't know what you can do about the medication situation, it's tricky.





anyway, I wish you luck.





You can email me if you want it's on my profile.
I am not a mental health professional, but love children, and used to teach. I have also suffered from long term depression, which in a sense is easier for a child to grasp, if the situation is non psychotic as schizophrenia I understand is. I think that you should tell your boy that daddy thinks and dreams in a different way from you. Say to him that daddy may puzzle him at times , and if he is worried he can speak to her any times he wants. Tell him that dad needs medication to stop him from getting too tired. Daddy is not the only person like this there are lots and lots of others. Let u are asking him know that you understand when he is not feeling too well. The very best of good wishes to you. I am sure you will cope because you care so much.
If his father has truly been diagnosed as a schizophrenic - by a professional - then that same professional should help you explain this to your child. There are a lot of issues that this raises, and a lot of potential problems if not handled correctly. Please, seek professional help - not advice on a site like this.
Wait until you have him alone, some of the best conversations I have had with my kids is in the car.


Just ask him if he wants to ask you any questions about his dad.


If he does just answer the question he asks, don't go any further.


As time goes on he will ask more and you can tell more.
I would tell your son to stay strong. Wait for him to recover, because your dad would do the same thing if you went through the same thing. Overcome this obstacle as a family, just be prepared to face the tough times and in reward your family bond would be stronger. That is what i would say.
They say the best way to handle health issues with kids is to let them ask you. So you say you know daddy is sick sometimes right? Well if you ever want to talk about it to me, you can, and I will answer anything you want to know, ok? And then wait. Eventually he will ask.
You can explain more when the child is older. You've probably said enough, maybe too much already. Sometimes well intentioned people cause far more harm than good.





He's just a little boy. All he wants to know is that his dad loves him, he's not dying, and it's not his fault.
Try going to Church -- Don't say anything negative about the boy's father --- wait till he is old enough to understand better -- You kid will always think there is something wrong with Himself since his dad was mentally ill !
I hope you get professional advice...