How to cope when a loved one has Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a very serious mental disorder. Often the effects of the disease are so devastating the person never fully recovers. The symptoms of schizophrenia include disordered thinking along with delusions and hallucinations. It generally effects 1% of the population. The age of onset is usually fairly young. And it tends to afflict more men than women. Although, there is not a well known cause, its onset has been linked to lack of coping mechanisms to life’s stressors and it tends to run in families. Thankfully, there are medications for schizophrenia that do improve their quality of life. And some can actually live relatively normal lives.
But how much progress the person makes is not dependent on the treatment alone. It also depends on how well the relatives are coping with the disease because schizophrenia is often harder on the relatives than the actual patient.

So I’m going to share a few tips on how you can cope with this dreadful disease.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Educate yourself! The are plenty of articles on schizophrenia. Research the internet! Buy up books at the library or take some psychology courses. Do become aware of the common myths surrounding this illness. And understand that this person is not “crazy”. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain

2. Join schizophrenia support groups in your area. Sometimes relatives of the patient tend to feel isolated and alone. Support groups are a great way to gain valuable information and connect with people, who are on the same boat as you.

3. Be empowered! Take an active role in his psychological treatment by keeping close contact with your loved ones counselor or social worker

4. Take care of yourself. If you feel a bit overwhelmed, feel free to take some time off. There is no need to feel guilty. After all, you are just human. Try getting a relative to fill in for you or even someone from the social services.

5. Always know that recovery from schizophrenia is a dynamic process. How well your loved one adjusts is not just dependent on professional treatment alone, but also the degree by, which you can can cope, and your level of acceptance and understanding

[soanyway]

on 4/26/2009 So Scary! Can you just imagine back in the "olden days" I mean way back, how people probably thought "they" were possessed! I live with a Bi-Polar and I sometimes think this is a mild form. Thanks for the article

[jseven]

on 2/21/2009 This is a very good article! I've been there with someone I love :) 5*RCRR