Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia affects everyone around the person who has the illness. It can be hard to watch a family member or friend develop symptoms and perhaps act in very different ways.

You may feel helpless, but you play an important role in the life and treatment of a loved one who has schizophrenia.

What you can do

• Learn about schizophrenia. Understand what happens in schizophrenia and how you and your loved one can cope with it. This may make it easier for you and your loved one to work together on treatment.
• Reference Work together as a family. You and your family may benefit from Reference therapy Opens New Window even if your loved one doesn't want to participate.
• Reference Help during hallucinations and Reference paranoia. Call for help if you think the situation could become dangerous.
• Reference Deal with symptoms.
• Reference Encourage the person to take medicines.
• Reference Be aware of your own and other people's negative attitudes toward the illness and your loved one.

You can also help the person with good health habits, like getting enough sleep and avoiding alcohol and drugs.

Sometimes people who have schizophrenia are too sick to seek treatment on their own. If the symptoms are severe, you may have to force the person to get treatment. Talk with your health care providers and/or local law enforcement officials about the laws and procedures in your area for getting treatment in this situation. If you have this information before you need it, it will reduce your fears and concerns and may make it easier for you.

Emergency help

Some people who have schizophrenia may become aggressive or violent at times. Call 911 or other emergency help if you notice:

• Reference Warning signs of suicide, such as the person threatening to harm himself or herself and being preoccupied with death or suicide.
• Reference Warning signs of violence toward others, such as thinking or talking about harming someone or becoming aggressive.

Helping yourself

Supporting or caring for someone who has schizophrenia isn't easy. Finding your own support can help you deal with the illness and the sense of loss you may feel.

• Reference Take care of yourself. Do things you enjoy, such as seeing family or going to movies.
• Don't feel that you need to do everything possible to help a loved one who has schizophrenia. Remember that you need to respect the wishes and choices of your loved one, unless those wishes and choices are dangerous. Everyone learns from a wrong choice or mistake. Recovery may be faster if your loved one believes that family members trust him or her with decision making.
• Don't do it alone. Ask others to help you, or join a support group. The more support you have, the more help you can give.
• Get help from a local organization. Your city or state may have programs to help you. Ask at your local or state health department. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides contact information for support organizations nationwide. For more information, go to www.nami.org.

For more information, see the topic Reference Caregiver Tips.

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This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Reference Terms of Use. Reference How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.