Cristiano is deeply unstable and easily swayed. He has lost the ability to control his impulses. Emotions overwhelm him completely.
Sexually, his drives are heightened, and he becomes prey to anyone who recognizes his vulnerability—a fact that has placed him in compromising situations. A driver offers him a ride; he accepts, only to discover the man is homosexual. Predators spot him as an easy mark. An older woman draws him into a passionate entanglement. To satisfy his sudden sexual urges, he turns to prostitutes, managing as best he can.
Cristiano speaks freely with us about his struggles, and this openness allows us to help him avoid the worst outcomes. Through our conversations, we have often managed to prevent serious harm.
He has agreed to treatment and follows both neuroleptic therapy and psychotherapy. Slowly, he has begun to understand his bondage—especially to his sexual impulses—and is learning to act more responsibly.
With medication, with a loving and stable family environment, Cristiano today, at thirty-five, is married. He will need courage and mental clarity to break free from this contradiction and build a stable life. His journey remains difficult, but with his wife—a woman who is tender, patient, and wise—Cristiano discovers love and rebuilds himself. They are now expecting a child. Another chapter begins.
- His Parents, 2003