Living with someone with schizophrenia can be very difficult. However, it is important to remember that your loved ones need you, even if they don't show it. Go to Step 1 to find out how to make her life - and yours - as peaceful as possible.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Inquire
One of the best things you can do for your loved one is to learn more about what they are going through. Knowing the lows and highs of schizophrenia can help you create a more supportive home environment.
Step 1. Learn the basics of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that can be controlled with therapy and medication. Schizophrenia changes the way a person thinks, feels and perceives the world in a general way. For this reason, very often those with this disorder suffer from hallucinations and delusions.
Step 2. Understand the meaning of hallucinations and delusions
Having hallucinations means hearing and seeing things that others cannot see or hear. Having delusions means accepting false beliefs as true.
An example of hallucination occurs when you hear a voice that others cannot hear. An example of mania occurs when a schizophrenic person thinks that someone is reading their mind
Step 3. Learn about some side effects of schizophrenia
Although the loss of contact with reality (psychosis) is a typical sign of schizophrenia, it is not the only one. People with schizophrenia can also show loss of interest and stimuli, speech disorders, depression, memory problems and mood swings.
Step 4. Understand what can aggravate the problems associated with schizophrenia
Worsening of symptoms usually occurs when people stop following treatment. They can also be the result of substance abuse, other disorders, psychosocial stress and side effects of the drugs used for the treatment.
Step 5. Learn how the disorder is treated
Although schizophrenia cannot be cured, symptoms usually improve with the right treatment. Significant signs of recovery are seen in more than 50% of patients receiving medical treatment. It is also important to remember that the treatment of this disorder requires more than just the administration of medicines: recovery occurs faster when the treatment is combined with psychological and psychosocial therapy.
Step 6. Keep expectations realistic
The reality is that while 20-25% of people with schizophrenia experience true remission, 50% continue to have intermittent or persistent symptoms. Many people think that with love and support they will be able to heal their loved ones. Although love and support play a fundamental factor, it is important to be able to keep your expectations under control and make sure that they reflect the reality of the disorder.
Part 2 of 4: Actively Participate
Step 1. Learn to recognize the signs of relapse as soon as possible
Understanding the return of psychosis early and providing immediate treatment usually prevent a total relapse. However, you should be aware that relapses are very common when suffering from schizophrenia, and cannot be completely prevented, even if the patient receives the best care. Although the signs of relapse are sometimes difficult to notice (as they are not accurate), try to look out for:
Slight changes in your loved one's behavior, including sleep or appetite problems, irritability, loss of interest in daily activities, and depression
Step 2. Make sure your loved one continues to follow the treatment after hospitalization
Those with schizophrenia may stop following treatment or take medication intermittently; these behaviors are usually followed by a recurrence of symptoms. Without treatment, some people with schizophrenia can become so disorganized that they cannot attend to their basic needs, including food, clothing, and housing. Here are ways to make sure your loved one has everything they need:
- Check the use of drugs. If you notice that your loved one has missed a drug, regardless of whether he did it on purpose or not, make sure he continues to take them.
- Keep a record of the types of medications, doses, and the effects they have on your loved one. Since schizophrenia causes disorganization, it is up to you, at least until the medicines take effect, to monitor the doses of each medicine given to your loved one.
Step 3. Make sure this person lives a healthy lifestyle
For some unexplained reasons, schizophrenia sufferers have a greater propensity to abuse alcohol and drugs; likewise they have a higher risk of suffering from obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. To help this person overcome their problems, you need to encourage them to lead a healthy lifestyle, which includes a good diet and regular physical activity. Eg:
- Offer to go for a walk every day with your loved one. Or take him to the gym and set up a daily exercise routine.
- Fill the refrigerator with healthy food. Offer to cook dinner every other day and serve balanced dishes, such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, low-fat dairy products and carbohydrates from whole grains.
- Avoid drinking more alcohol than necessary when you are with him and refrain from using drugs. It might help him keep the same balance.
Step 4. Communicate with your loved one so that he or she understands you
Since schizophrenia is a disorder that affects the mind, people with this disorder find it difficult to understand others and communicate effectively. To help them understand you, speak slowly and in a clear, precise tone. He plays down arguments before they start creating tensions that can aggravate his disorder.
You need to speak in an empathic and compassionate tone. People with schizophrenia react badly to a negative or rigid tone, so speaking in a loving tone of voice can be a very positive factor for effective communication
Step 5. Avoid lengthy discussions about your loved one's delusions
Conversations of this type very often tend to escalate and increase stress. Talk, but never try to have long conversations about his manias. Learn to adopt what is called "constructive detachment," in which lengthy discussions about a subject's delusions are avoided.
Step 6. Have patience
Sometimes it may seem that your loved one's actions or words are trying to provoke or upset you. When this happens, remember to be patient: it is very important not to get stressed or angry, a tense atmosphere can lead to relapses. Instead, try to develop self-relaxation techniques. Among these are:
- Count to 10 or count down.
- Practice breathing techniques.
- Get away from the situation rather than get involved in it.
Step 7. Show love and empathy
It is important to communicate - through actions and words - that you are on your loved one's side in their struggle to regain their identity. Accepting him and his disorder will encourage him to accept himself and his situation, the key to having them actively participate in their treatment.
Step 8. Maintain a peaceful environment for your loved one
Many people with schizophrenia feel uncomfortable around large groups of people. Try to keep visitors in small groups or meet one at a time. Also, don't put pressure on him to do activities he doesn't want to do. Let him show a willingness to do something and make him do it at his own pace.
Part 3 of 4: Reacting to a Psychotic Attack
A psychotic attack is a relapse into hallucinations and delusions. These attacks can happen if your loved one does not take their medication or if an external source aggravates their symptoms.
Step 1. Be ready in case of assault
Contrary to what is seen in the movies, people with schizophrenia are generally not violent. However, some may behave aggressively due to hallucinations or delusions. For this reason they can become a danger to themselves and to others.
For example, those with schizophrenia have a suicidal risk of 5%, a significantly higher rate than the general population
Step 2. Don't question your loved one's beliefs during a panic attack
When you are faced with a panic attack, it is important not to question that person's beliefs, even if it does not coincide with reality. For those suffering from schizophrenia, hallucinations and bizarre thoughts are not just products of the imagination: they are real. Subjects actually perceive things that you cannot perceive. For this reason, try not to challenge a mania or a false belief.
Step 3. Stay calm and express your worldview
When you are confronted with one of your loved one's false beliefs, it is important that you make them understand that you see the world differently. Make sure he understands that things can appear differently to him. However, try not to question his beliefs.
If he begins to think that you are questioning his beliefs, try to change the subject or divert attention to something else that does not cause disagreement
Step 4. Be very understanding
When a person is in the midst of a psychotic crisis, it is important to continue to show love, kindness, and understanding. Say nice things to him and remind him of good times. However, if he is acting aggressively, keep your distance but continue to show love and support.
Step 5. Seek help if needed Even if it doesn't happen very often, people with schizophrenia can become dangerous
If this happens, the police can help you get an emergency psychiatric evaluation. You will need to consider the possibility that the person you live with will stay in the hospital for a few days until their symptoms are under control again.
Part 4 of 4: Take care of yourself
Caring for someone with a mental disorder can be difficult and can significantly affect your life. You will need to be able to deal with many practical and emotional problems on a daily basis. For this reason, it is important that you also take care of yourself.
Step 1. Take some time to enjoy life
You should plan your life so that you don't forget to take advantage of your free time. It is important to enjoy alone time, as it helps you to cope with the situation better. Take some time to be yourself or to hang out with friends.
Go see a movie with your friends, take a couple of hours a day just for yourself or get a massage every now and then
Step 2. Maintain your social life
Despite taking care of someone else, you still need to keep your social life active. Keep in touch with friends, maintain your love relationships, and visit family when you have the opportunity. Having a good network of friends and family will help you get through the toughest days.
Step 3. Exercise often and eat healthy
Physical and mental health are linked. When your body is healthy, your mind and emotions are healthy too. Exercise regularly and eat well-balanced meals. Exercise is excellent for reducing stress and lowering tension. If you find it difficult to keep your patience, go out and run or take a nice walk.
Yoga is a great way to exercise the mind and body. Sign up for a classic yoga class and practice finding inner calm
Step 4. Join a support group
A support group is an environment in which you have the opportunity to meet many people who are connected in various ways to those suffering from schizophrenia. It's a place where you can be accepted for who you are, where you can get unconditional support, and where your situation is perfectly understood without receiving any labels.
Encourage your loved one to join the support group. In addition to offering support to family members, support groups help people with schizophrenia develop inner strength and resilience, tools needed to fight this disorder
Advice
- Always remain calm when your loved one shows signs of relapse. Tension and stress can aggravate the disorder.
- Take time each day to be alone with yourself or with other people, to clear your mind and restore empathy and patience.
