Many people with schizophrenia are able to live independently. However, this is not the case for all people with schizophrenia. There are several things that people with schizophrenia should know to overcome the difficulties of their illness and live on their own: Early diagnosis and treatment leads to better outcomes.
New research shows that people who have schizophrenia can still live independently, pursue higher education or hold down a demanding job. In fact, many do manage their illness and live full and highly productive lives.
There currently is no cure for any of the varying types of schizophrenic disorders. However, many individuals who struggle can live fairly independent lives depending upon the severity of their symptoms.
Highlighting its clinical importance, loneliness has been reported as a significant contributor to worse quality of life in schizophrenia [16, 17] and individuals with psychotic disorders cite loneliness as one of the most important challenges in their life, second only to financial concerns [18].
“While self-care is important for everyone, when managing schizophrenia, taking care of yourself through sleep hygiene, regular exercise/movement, a healthy diet, and avoiding alcohol/drugs makes a significant impact on your symptoms.
People with schizophrenia often function best when they're able to remain at home, surrounded by supportive family members. If that's not a viable option for you, many communities offer residential and treatment facilities.
Focus on feelings, not experiences
You might feel unsure what to say or do when someone sees or believes something you don't – but it's important to remember that their experiences feel real to them. It can help if you focus on how they are feeling, rather than talking about what is real or true.
Schizophrenia can lead you to withdraw from socializing or that you isolate yourself in your home. This can be due to, for example, your hallucinations, thought disorders or lost social skills or fear of social contacts.
To better support and care for someone with schizophrenia, you need to find help, encouragement, and understanding from others. The more support you have, the better it will be for both you and your loved one. Recognize your own limits. Be realistic about the level of support and care you can provide.
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may be prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.
Schizophrenia is a disorienting and often frightening condition for people who have it, causing them to lose touch with reality and their ability to tell what's real and what isn't. When people experience paranoia, they may struggle to trust people who want to help.
Never tell your loved one that their symptoms are “not true,” “not real,” “imaginary,” or all in their head. Aim to be nonjudgmental. Try to avoid judgment or negativity about their experiences or perceptions. Don't pressure them to talk.
Paranoid schizophrenia – considered the most severe type. It is characterised by strange delusions, such as believing that one's thoughts are being broadcast over the radio. Hallucinations, especially bizarre ones, are also common to the condition.
Unfortunately, most people with schizophrenia are unaware that their symptoms are warning signs of a mental disorder. Their lives may be unraveling, yet they may believe that their experiences are normal. Or they may feel that they're blessed or cursed with special insights that others can't see.
Social engagement-important for health and well-being-can be difficult for people with schizophrenia. Past research indicates that despite expressing interest in social interactions, people with schizophrenia report spending less time with others and feeling lonely.
A schizophrenic episode can last days or weeks, and in rare cases, months, says Dr. D'Souza. Some people may experience only one or two schizophrenic episodes in their lifetime, whereas for others the episodes may come and go in phases.
People with schizophrenia experience difficulties in remembering their past and envisioning their future. However, while alterations of event representation are well documented, little is known about how personal events are located and ordered in time.
However tragically it is also the case that many people with schizophrenia harm themselves and very often they succeed in killing themselves. About 280,000 people are currently being treated for schizophrenia in the UK. Of these about 10% will die by their own hand within ten years of their diagnosis13.
Many with schizophrenia experience themselves as having been diminished since the onset of their illness. In some sense or other, they find themselves less than they were, which is to say they feel less vital and less able to negotiate or even engage the world.
Some people with schizophrenia appear to talk to themselves as they respond to the voices. People with schizophrenia believe that the hallucinations are real. Disordered thoughts. Thoughts may become jumbled or blocked.
Be respectful, kind, and supportive, and call their doctor if needed. If they are acting out hallucinations, stay calm, call 911, and tell the dispatcher they have schizophrenia. While you wait for paramedics, don't argue, shout, criticize, threaten, block the doorway, touch them, or stand over them.
Remain open. When someone refuses to get help, it's normal to want to stop offering assistance. But you can continue to maintain an open dialogue with your loved one to help keep the door to future treatment open. Respect their boundaries, but let them know that you will remain a support to them.
Ask the person to tell you what is happening. Ask whether he or she is afraid or confused. Tell the person that he or she is having a hallucination and that you do not see or hear what he or she does. But don't argue with the person if he or she can't understand you or doesn't believe you.