Bunnies and Family Crisis

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Happi Bun

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I've been avoiding this topic for some time now, I'm still very sensitive about it and quite honestly suffering from a bit of post traumatic stress. I don't want to go into too much detail, this is a public forum after all and this is very personal. What I do feel comfortable telling you all is we had a Family Crisis. My older brother (25) had a mental breakdown and became psychotic. He became emotionally and physically abusive to my mother, the police were called a few times but they couldn't do much. The last straw was when he threatened to poison my rabbits and admitted to going to buy a gun to use on my mom.

The police were called and took him away on 5150 suicide watch. He was evaluated and diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. This is a serious brain disorder. Once the suffers have their first big psychotic break they never return from it. My brother is staying in a board and care facility now after he became stable enough. He cannot return home. My mother is taking this incredibly hard, as anyone with a child can imagine. She herself is now battling depression and getting help for it. I had been caring for Dewey by myself do to her inability to do. It soon became too much for me as well.

I contacted the rescue I volunteer at and they kindly offered help through this nightmare. They offered to care for Dewey, neuter him, and adopt him out for me at no cost due to my dedication to the rescue and volunteering. This was a gift from above and helped greatly while we dealt with the situation at hand. Now that things have calmed down, I often think of having Dewey come home and caring for him myself. Though I currently see him 3x a week and he is very happy at the rescue, I do miss him and cannot help but feel guilty. I think deep down I know it's for the best. Dunkin takes up most of my free time. The whole reason I agreed on adding a second bunny to the family was my mother was going to be the main caregiver. I don't blame her for not being able to, this was totally unexpected and horrible. However, I still cannot get the urge to bring him home to go away.

Anyway, thanks to those who take the time to read this. I wanted to bring you all up to speed on what is happening. Perhaps you can offer your advice, I just ask that you please keep opinions about my brother to yourself, he was not in control of his actions.
 
Erika hugs to you and your mother and your brother also. I have no advice for you about the situation with your brother but wanted to tell you that i am thinking of you and your family in this very difficult time. I could not even imagine what you guys are going through. I hope you are able to bring Dewey home if that is what you are able to do. I hope your brother gets the help that he needs to be able to start healing from this. Maybe in time your mom will be able to have Dewey again.

Hugs to you guys
 
I'm so sorry to hear of this, I have encountered someone with mental conditions because of substance abuse. It's not nice,at all, It actually is a neighbour of mine, You can't help but feel sorry for him.
 
:bunnyhug:erika, you are very brave and strong and are trying to do what is right for all your family. dewey is one part of your life where you can be in control, any mental illness takes that away from all involved. you were able to admit that you couldnt give dewey the care he needed and that is a very brave thing.
 
Erika
I am so very sorry for you and your family - this must be incredibly difficult for everyone in your family, but yes, especially your mom.
My husband has a younger brother who has episodes that still cause quite a bit of anxiety from his family, but not quite as severe as yours.
I make no judgment on your brother...obviously he was not in control of himself.
It's just as important for the family members that have to adjust to this to take care of themselves and take steps not to get over-whelmed and feel hopeless.
My heart goes out to your mom...I cannot imagine having one of my kids go through this.

/hugs
Anne


 
I'm so sorry to hear about this crisis.... but I am glad they have found out what is wrong and he's getting help.
There are some good things that can happen IF he takes the medicines. I know many don't do well, but I have an aunt that has been on medicine for many years and does VERY well. I'll be thinking of your family and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. :hug:
 
I'm so sorry you have to go through such a traumatic event. It is such a terrible disease and I hope your brother responds well to treatment so you can have as normal a family life as possible. I can't imagine how traumatic this must be for all of you.

I'm glad you can keep Dunkin. I think it's great that the rescue is taking care of Dewey and I know they will find him a great home. One of the reasons rescues exist is to help people who have things happen in their lives that make them unable to take care of their pets. It's good that your mom knew that she couldn't take care of him anymore. I know you may feel like you should take care of him, but only do that if you really think you can do that. They will find him a good home if you don't take him. There are so many bunnies I fall in love with at my shelter, and although this is a different situation, I understand the feeling of wanting to give them all a home. You know your limits.

HUGE hugs
 
I'm so sorry that all of you have to go through this. You are doing your very best to make sure that everyone is being cared for in the best way possible. We have experience with this disease in our family, and it is so difficult for all who are involved. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers....
 
Oh Erika, I was wondering how things were getting along. I am so sorry that it has turned out this way, but perhaps, in the long term, it will be best for your brother, and the rest of you, too.

Don't feel guilty about Dewey - you had no choice. If you feel strong enough to bring him home, then fine, but if not, then you know he's in good care, and you can concentrate on feeling better yourself.

I hope things improve for you and your family

Jan

 
Thank you everyone, from the bottom of my heart, for your empathy and kindness.
It means a lot. :)
 
Hugs - and prayers for you and your family.:hug1

Denise
 
I can't see why anyone would say anything negative about any of your actions, or anything that you have talked about, including your brother. Illness happens, and changes of circumstances happen. Essentially you are all doing your very best under horrendous circumstances.

I am not schizophrenic but do suffer paranoid delusions and go in and out of them (that's a form of psychosis), and also suffer a specifric type of hallucination also found in some schizophrenic conditions. If you want to talk, or ask about what it's like to be 'that way' or anything at all, then my PM box is open.

I hope that your brother is getting good care and is able to get to a level of stability, and also that your mum gets good support too, as well as you, because you all need it.

Thinking of you.
 
I don't think there is anything wrong with a person working proactively to keep their animals safe.

((hugs))
 
Hope all is going better for you Erika - mucho bunny love & kisses sent your way from my buns & me
 

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