How Can I Help Someone Suffering from Schizophrenia?
Although there is a lot of stigma around mental illness, people are becoming more aware of the effects of mental illness. People are breaking taboos and normalizing mental illness by understanding and learning how to treat someone undergoing any mental condition.
It is to be appreciated that someone is willing to make a conscious effort and make the world a kinder place. One such common but misunderstood mental illness is schizophrenia.
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that slowly starts affecting a person’s ability to think and feel. Schizophrenic people tend to have thoughts and experiences that lose touch with reality that makes them behave indifferently to others. The cause of schizophrenia is still unknown but genetics, altered brain chemistry, and environment have a vital role to play
Schizophrenia needs a medical diagnosis and treatment can last up to a few months to lifelong, depending upon its severity. Schizophrenia treatment involves medicines, psychotherapy for the better functioning of the individual.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia include poor concentration, delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking or speech, difficulty communicating, abnormal motor skills, difficulty in decision making, etc. The severity of symptoms varies from one person to another.
Schizophrenia can bring issues like communication troubles, conflicts into a relationship. It is important for the loved ones of people dealing with schizophrenia to approach them with kindness, love, and some knowledge about the illness.
The complexity of the disease makes it hard for everyone to understand the person’s behavior. With little understanding and effort, it is possible to be in a mutually happy relationship with a schizophrenic person.
If you are taking care of a schizophrenic person, here are few things you must know to help them
How Can I Help Someone Suffering from Schizophrenia?
Educate Yourself
Schizophrenia is the most misunderstood mental disorder that has a lot of myths attached to it. It is important to have an understanding of the illness and its symptoms to have a clearer perspective. This will also help you understand and empathize with the patient better. You can get in touch with a psychologist or join a support group to know better.
Encourage Treatment
It is nice to encourage your loved one to take treatment if the symptoms worsen. But at the same time do not take it as your challenge to make them get their treatment. Support their decisions and make them feel safe. If they want to take treatment help them find the best schizophrenia treatment in town. You can also help them book appointments, follow up on their appointments, etc.
Be Knowledgeable About Their Condition
Know their condition, their medications, and their triggers. If you notice anything unusual, seek help immediately. This will help you understand their psychotic episodes better.
Have Boundaries
The best way to help others is to help yourself. In the course of taking care of someone do not forget to take care of yourself too, set boundaries to avoid being completely absorbed. Schizophrenia can make the patients behave irrationally, do not take this personally or mistake it as lack of respect or love.
Take breaks to bounce back whenever you need but ensure you communicate this with them. If you feel it is getting difficult for you to cope, you can reach out to a support group nearby.
