Encourage Your Loved One To Keep Up With Their Treatment And Recovery Plan
This is very important! You are not responsible for your loved ones treatment , but you can support them. Schizophrenia can make it difficult for people to make and go to appointments and follow their treatment plan. With your loved ones permission, you may choose to help by reminding them of appointments, taking them to appointments, or whatever helps in your situation. If your loved one isnt happy with their treatment or would like to try a new approach, you can encourage them to talk with their care team, like their doctor or mental health teamit can be dangerous to stop or change a treatment without a doctors support.
Treatment can be a difficult area for loved ones. Its hard to see someone you love in pain. You might be scared of the things your loved one is experiencing. You want to help. But in order for any treatment to work, your loved one needs to be active in their care. Forcing or threatening treatment generally doesnt work and can often hurt everyone involved. In most cases, anyone 19 years of age and older and not at risk of harm is free to make their own choices. And their choices may include refusing treatment or choosing a treatment that you disagree with. It helps everyone if you can be respectful and keep honest communication open between you. You can learn more about dealing with this situation in Q& A: An adult in my life seems ill and wont find help. What can I do?.
Can You Hear Voices And Not Be Schizophrenic
Hearing voices may be a symptom of a mental illness. A doctor may diagnose you with a condition such as psychosis or bi-polar. But you can hear voices without having a mental illness. Research shows that many people hear voices or have other hallucinations.
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What If I Am Not Happy With My Treatment
If you are not happy with your treatment you can:
- talk to your doctor about your treatment options,
- ask for a second opinion,
- get an advocate to help you speak to your doctor,
- contact Patient Advice and Liaison Service and see whether they can help, or
- make a complaint.
There is more information about these options below.
Treatment options
You should first speak to your doctor about your treatment. Explain why you are not happy with it. You could ask what other treatments you could try.
Tell your doctor if there is a type of treatment that you would like to try. Doctors should listen to your preference. If you are not given this treatment, ask your doctor to explain why it is not suitable for you.
Second opinion
A second opinion means that you would like a different doctor to give their opinion about what treatment you should have. You can also ask for a second opinion if you disagree with your diagnosis.
You dont have a right to a second opinion. But your doctor should listen to your reason for wanting a second opinion.
Advocacy
An advocate is independent from the mental health service. They are free to use. They can be useful if you find it difficult to get your views heard.
There are different types of advocates available. Community advocates can support you to get a health professional to listen to your concerns. And help you to get the treatment that you would like.
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service
Complaints
You can find out more about:
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Can You Live A Normal Life With Schizophrenia
Can you live a normal life with schizophrenia? In one sense, this question can be stigmatizing. Why? Because it can imply that people who live with an acute mental illness like schizophrenia are abnormal and that its questionable as to whether they can live normal lives.
In reality, though, the word normal is problematic: There is no universal standard for what is a normal life. People have to cope with all sorts of serious and/or chronic medical conditions that may require significant lifestyle changes. Schizophrenia happens to be one of them . In other words, the notion of a normal life is a fallacy to begin with.
What Are The Types Of Schizophrenia
There are different types of schizophrenia. The International Classification of Diseases manual describes them as below.
Paranoid schizophrenia
- Pranks, giggling and health complaints.
- Usually diagnosed in adolescents or young adults.
Catatonic schizophrenia
- Unusual movements, often switching between being very active and very still.
- You may not talk at all.
Simple schizophrenia
- Negative symptoms are prominent early and get worse quickly.
- Positive symptoms are rare.
Undifferentiated schizophrenia
Your diagnosis may have some signs of paranoid, hebephrenic or catatonic schizophrenia, but doesnt obviously fit into one of these types alone.
Residual schizophrenia
This type of schizophrenia is diagnosed in the later stages of schizophrenia. You may be diagnosed with this if you have a history of schizophrenia but only continue to experience negative symptoms.
Other schizophrenia
There are other types of schizophrenia according to the ICD-10, such as.
- Cenesthopathic schizophrenia. This is where people experience unusual bodily sensations.
- Schizophreniform. Schizophreniform disorder is a type of psychotic illness with symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia. But symptoms last for a short period.
Unspecified schizophrenia
Symptoms meet the general conditions for a diagnosis, but do not fit in to any of the above categories.
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What Myths Are There About Schizophrenia
There are some myths or mistaken beliefs about schizophrenia which come from the media. For example,
- Schizophrenia means someone has a split personality
This is not the case. The mistake may come from the fact that the name ‘schizophrenia’ comes from two Greek words meaning ‘split’ and ‘mind’.
- Schizophrenia causes people to be violent
Research shows that only a small number of people with the illness may become violent. The same way as a small minority of the general public may become violent.
People with schizophrenia are far more likely to be harmed by other people than other people are to be harmed by them. But as these incidents can be shocking, the media often report them in a way which emphasises the mental health diagnosis. This can create fear and stigma in the general public.
Better Life Expectancy With Schizophrenia
Here are some ways to boost health when you have schizophrenia:
Keep up on medical care. âIâve known many patients who prefer to avoid routine medical visits and health screenings,â Gallagher says. âSometimes, this is directly related to symptoms of schizophrenia, which can make medical appointments tough to manage, but some of this may be due to stigma that people with schizophrenia experience in our health care system.â One way to work on this, he notes, is to find a primary care doctor who you like and who you trust to advocate for you when needed.
Adopt smart stop-smoking strategies. The earlier people with schizophrenia are able to kick the habit, the better, Olfson says. The good news is that people with psychotic disorders like schizophrenia are actually more likely to quit successfully than those without the disorders. The best results are seen in patients who use the stop-smoking drug varenicline , along with behavioral therapy for at least 12 weeks, according to a 2017 study. Talk to your doctor about what might work best for you.
Make heart health a priority. If you or a loved one has schizophrenia, itâs very important to stay on top of numbers such as weight, blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol, Olfson says. You may need to work with the doctor on a care plan that spells out a diet and exercise program to follow, Herlands says. In these cases, specific health and wellness mobile apps may also be helpful.
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Environment: Triggers And Influences
Research is continuing to reveal what influences a persons chances of developing schizophrenia. Some of those factors are:
- your biological mothers health during pregnancy or complications with your birth
- substance misuse
- difficult social circumstances and stressful life events
- trauma during childhood, such as abuse, neglect, parental death and bullying.
However, many people who experience these factors don’t develop schizophrenia. Were understanding more about the causes of schizophrenia all the time, but theres some way to go. What we do know is that there is no single cause.
Do Schizophrenics Know They Are Ill
Schizophrenia can be hard to diagnose for a few reasons. One is that people with the disorder often dont realize theyre ill, so theyre unlikely to go to a doctor for help. Another issue is that many of the changes leading up to schizophrenia, called the prodrome, can mirror other normal life changes.
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Schizophrenia And Life Expectancy
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, you may find that you focus entirely on getting through day-to-day life. But thereâs good reason to think about the future, too: People with schizophrenia tend to have lower life expectancy than those who donât have the disease.
âResearch studies over the past few decades suggest that life expectancy can be reduced by as much as 15 years on average in people diagnosed with schizophrenia,â says Keith Gallagher, MD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. One 2015 study, for example, found that adults under the age of 65 with schizophrenia are 3½ times more likely to die in a given year than similarly aged people in the general population.
This may seem like a frightening fact, but there are things you can do to improve the odds. âI encourage patients and families to focus on those factors they have the power to influence, such as diet, exercise, smoking, and substance use,â Gallagher says. Hereâs what you need to know.
General Management And Treatment Tips
Schizophrenia is a chronic illness, and many people with the condition will relapse even with treatment. For this reason, it is important to establish a good relationship with a medical professional.
Because schizophrenia causes a person to disconnect from reality, it is also important to develop strong relationships with loved ones who can alert a person when their schizophrenia symptoms appear to be getting worse.
Some treatment and management options include :
- Medication: Medications, especially antipsychotic drugs, can greatly reduce schizophrenia symptoms. People who find the side effects of these drugs intolerable should talk with a doctor about treatment options rather than giving up on medication. Sometimes adding a different drug or changing the dosage helps.
- Skills training: Rehabilitation and support to integrate into the community can help people with schizophrenia live productive, meaningful lives.
- Family support: Schizophrenia can be difficult for some families and may impact relationships. Family support, including education and family therapy, may help.
- Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy can help a person develop coping skills, better understand their diagnosis, communicate more effectively, and identify signs that symptoms are getting worse.
of developing schizophrenia later in life.
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What Causes Schizophrenia
Nobody knows exactly what causes schizophrenia, it is likely to be the result of several factors. For example:
- Stress. Some people can develop the illness as a result of a stressful event, such as the death of a loved one or the loss of a job.
- Genetics. You are more likely to develop schizophrenia if you have a close relation with the illness.
- Brain damage. This is usually damage that has stopped your brain from growing normally when your mother was pregnant. Or during birth.
- Drugs and alcohol. Research has shown that stronger forms of cannabis increase your risk of developing schizophrenia.
- A difficult childhood. If you were deprived, or abused, as a child this can increase your risk of developing a mental illness. Including schizophrenia.
There is research to suggest that may be an association between menopause and schizophrenia. This may be due to the hormonal changes during this stage of life for women.
You can find more information about:
- Does mental illness run in families? by clicking here.
- Drugs, alcohol and mental health by clicking here.
- Cannabis and mental health by clicking here.
A Journey To Recovery
After her first hospitalization, Guardiola attended different programs for support as she worked toward her goals. Here, she strengthened her coping skills, ability to form relationships, and medication routine. She learned to use her favorite hobbies, like drawing, journaling, and pottery, as ways to manage her symptoms.
This prepared Guardiola to go back to school and graduate with a bachelorâs degree in psychology and another in studio art.
Since then, Guardiola has had other hospitalizations, but notes that theyâre unlike her first. âThe difference between my first hospitalization and my other hospitalizations is that Iâm self-aware,â she says. âI know when Iâm struggling, and it gives me the ability to know when to ask for help.â
As with many other conditions, recovery from schizophrenia isnât linear. Even though you may be improving, you may still have moments where your symptoms get worse. Guardiola reminds herself and others to be patient as they heal. âIt didnât happen overnight. It takes practice and time,â she says. âBe forgiving of yourself.â
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What Can I Do To Manage Schizophrenia
People deal with their experience in different ways. You might need to try different things before finding something that works.
Support groups
You could join a support group. A support group is where people come together to share information, experiences and give each other support. Hearing about the experiences of others can help you feel understood. This may help you feel less alone and boost your self-confidence.
You might be able to find a local group by searching online. Rethink Mental Illness have support groups in some areas. You can find out what is available in your area, or get help to set up your own support group if you follow this link:
Or you can call our advice service on 0808 801 0525 for more information.
Recovery College
Recovery colleges are part of the NHS. They offer free courses about mental health to help you manage your experiences. They can help you to take control of your life and become an expert in your own wellbeing and recovery. You can usually self-refer to a recovery college. But the college may tell your care team.
Unfortunately, recovery colleges are not available in all areas. To see if there is a recovery college in your area you can use a search engine such as Google. Or you can call our advice service on 0808 801 0525 for more information.
Peer support through the NHS
- side effects,
- recognising and coping with symptoms,
- what to do in a crisis,
- meeting other people who can support you, and recovery.
Self-management techniques
How Families Can Help
Usually an individual who has been released from treatment for schizophrenia will be released into the hands of family members. If you are caring for a family member with the illness, it is important to know how to handle the illness. A physician may ask family members to talk to a therapist, who will teach family members coping strategies. Family members may also learn how to make sure a loved one knows how to stay on the medication and continue with treatment. Families should have all contact numbers and know where to take the individual for outpatient services and family services.Self-help groups are available for both individuals with schizophrenia and their families. Your physician can usually point you to the best self-help groups in your area. It often helps to know there are others who are going through the same or similar circumstance. Knowing there are others with the same illness can help make you feel less isolated. You can ask questions and learn what works best for them, and you can even learn new methods to cope with schizophrenia.
For more on the topic of Living with Schizophrenia, weâve included the following expert consensus documents as reference materials:
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If you wish to explore additional treatment options or connect with a specific rehab center, you can browse top-rated listings or visit SAMHSA.
Take Action If You Think You Or Your Loved One Is In Danger
If you think your loved one is at risk of harming themselves or others and they refuse help, it is possible to have them evaluated by a psychiatrist under the Mental Health Act. This process may involve police and other first responders, and it can be a difficult and stressful process for everyone. But it can also be a necessary step if someone is in danger. You can learn more about the Mental Health Act in the info sheet Families Coping with a Crisis and you can find the Guide to the Mental Health Act at www.health.gov.bc.ca/library/publications/year/2005/MentalHealthGuide.pdf. For a more in-depth discussion of the Mental Health Act, see a video with lawyer and health law consultation Gerrit Clements.
If your loved one says that they have thoughts of ending their life, its important to take action. Call 1-800-SUICIDE at any time or message online at www.crisiscentrechat.ca between noon and 1am. If you think your loved one is in immediate danger, you can always call 911 or go to a hospital emergency room.
Where can I learn more?
- Dealing with Psychosis: A Toolkit for Moving Forward with Your Life is aimed at people experiencing schizophrenia, but it has good information on symptoms and strategies for managing the illness. There is also a chapter for support people
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