If someone close to you has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, you can make a huge difference by helping that person find the right treatment, cope with symptoms, and build a fulfilling life.

Schizophrenia and other related disorders causing devastating hallucinations and delusional thoughts can be scary not only for the individual with this mental health illness, but also for the family and friends of those affected. Many people do not understand how to cope with the turmoil and risks that Schizophrenia create with the proper treatment and emotional support. Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness and requires both psychotropic and psychotherapy to be integrated into treatment.

Take action today in assisting a loved one diagnosed with Schizophrenia down the right path on the road to recovery with these 10 Tips:

1. Do not react abruptly to delusions or hallucinations shared with you:
   Hallucinations are usually experienced outside of the person and often observed as conversations between the person and a voice that is heard only by the person affected. They struggle between ignoring the voices or images that are seen, however feel that if they respond to hallucination, then the taunting will disappear. They often believe that what is seen or heard is reality, therefore respond with caution. Try to disprove the hallucinations with facts and evidence rather than engage in verbal debates. Due to symptoms of paranoia, your loved one might assume you are plotting against them. Try to maintain the stance that you are on their side. Pick your battles and only challenge delusional thinking when it has the potential to cause harm.
2. Stay positive and hopeful to support their emotional needs:
   When your loved one has achieved symptom management, they usually will be left with feelings related to depression or anxiety. They might be worried about the next time they experience hallucinations or delusions. Or they may feel like they will never be cured, therefore they give up on trying to accomplish things in life. Try being a role model in your own life. Try introducing them to other people who are struggling. Get your loved one involved in helping others in need by volunteering with them in your community.
3. Ensure proper level of care and compliance of treatment.
   The highest level of supervised housing is residential treatment facilities with assistance programs. The next level down is known as “board and care” that continues to monitor and administer medications with staff on a consistent basis. Independent living is the lowest level of care, besides living in the home with family. This level of care transfers the responsibility of medication compliance to the patient. In these situations, most often a case manager or social worker will be assigned to help your loved one. These professionals maintain contact with the psychiatrist that prescribes the medications to ensure that your loved one is receiving the proper doses for medications.
4. Help them track symptoms each day:
   Imagine having extremely disorganized speech that inhibits a person from explaining their experiences clearly. On the other hand, having uncontrollable catatonia that disables a person from moving or speaking at all. By using written documentation to keep a record of the experiences, mental health professionals are able to better assist your loved one to ensure proper treatment.
5. Help them identify tangible, attainable goals:
   Every person needs a sense of hope and purpose in life. By tracking every bit of progress made and encouraging your loved one each step of the way, you provide that hope in moments when the person affected has no hope and wants to end their life.
6. Represent advocacy and speak in moments when they cannot speak:
   Most individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia experience disorganized speech and catatonic symptoms. You must be their advocate to break down the stigmas about schizophrenia. Many people are unaware of how to treat people with schizophrenia. When people are not educated about something, they become scared of what they do not know. Make it your duty of educate and share knowledge with those people so that when the encounter a person suffering with schizophrenia, they are more apt to help rather than run away.
7. Help promote experiences to new environments:
   Please ensure supervision when necessary. You usually know whether or not your loved one has been compliant with medications. If any hallucinations, delusions, or catatonia are observed then wait until these symptoms become diminished prior to exposing them to less secure environments.
8. Seek out your own emotional support and consider therapy for yourself:
   Even psychotherapists seek out their own psychotherapy. When you are emotionally pulled to the extent that you are unable to be stable for other people, it is time to seek out help for yourself. Do not consider this step as a weakness, but rather it takes true strength to solve problems instead of hiding from them.
9. Create safe environments:
   Individuals with Schizophrenia often struggle with their memory and better manage symptoms when being prepared in daily routines. When can expect each day for actions to occur in a specific order, then it reduces stress, and thereby reduces symptoms to get activated. Set up routines that are posted in writing around their residential living area. Teach them to check off each task to keep track of their progress.
10. Set appropriate boundaries:
    As a caregiver, it is crucial for you to maintain self-care. When we travel on airplanes we are instructed to put the oxygen masks on ourselves before placing the mask on our loved ones in moments of crises. This is true for our everyday lives. We must be healthy and whole prior to assisting other to meet our highest capacity. Seek out respite care services for temporary relief to ensure you get enough sleep, exercise, and time for personal growth.

Lastly, it is important to remember, the love and support of family plays an important role in Schizophrenia treatment.

For more information on receiving help for Schizophrenia check out the Resources Page.

For Immediate Help with Schizophrenia call (760) 458-1600 or Book an Appointment TODAY for a Complimentary Session.