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.
When the disease is in full swing and symptoms are severe, the person with schizophrenia can't tell when certain ideas and perceptions they have are real or not. This happens less often as they get older. People with the condition usually aren't aware that they have it until a doctor or counselor tells them.
Never tell your loved one that their symptoms are “not true,” “not real,” “imaginary,” or all in their head. Aim to be nonjudgmental.
If the person asks you about a hallucination or delusion, be honest. For example, if he or she asks, "Do you see him?" you may want to answer with, "I know you see something, but I don't see it." This way, you're not denying what the person sees or hears, but you avoid an argument.
Approach the person quietly while calling his or her name. 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.
A person experiencing hallucinations may be very frightened by them and needs your help in establishing a calm environment. Do not invade personal space or touch them without permission. Speak slowly, calmly and quietly, using simple concrete language. Be patient – it may take the person longer to process information.
Drug and alcohol use
If you already have schizophrenia, research shows that using recreational drugs may worsen your symptoms. Some studies suggest that people who use high-potency cannabis ('skunk') when in recovery are more likely to have a relapse too.
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.
It doesn't help them to challenge their beliefs by saying they're not. Instead, tell them that you each see things in your own way. 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.
Depending on the severity of the schizophrenic episode, the person may lose touch with reality and the world can seem like a confusing jumble of sights, sounds, and information. A schizophrenic episode can last days or weeks, and in rare cases, months, says Dr.
Hearing voices or other sounds is the most common hallucination.
[2] The most common hallucinations in schizophrenia are auditory, followed by visual. Tactile, olfactory and gustatory are reported less frequently [Table 1].
Most people with schizophrenia are never violent and indeed do not display any dangerous behaviour. However a small number do become violent when they are suffering from the acute symptoms of psychosis because of the influence of the hallucinations and delusions on their thinking.
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.
People with schizophrenia experience psychosis, which means they can have serious problems with thinking clearly, emotions, and knowing what is real and what is not. This can include hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), and having very strange beliefs that are abnormal or not true (delusions).
Medications are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment, and antipsychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed drugs. They're thought to control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitter dopamine.
Negative symptoms refer to what is abnormally lacking or absent in the person with a psychotic disorder. Examples include impaired emotional expression, decreased speech output, reduced desire to have social contact or to engage in daily activities, and decreased experience of pleasure.
On average, the age of onset for schizophrenia is the late teens to early 30s, according to the NIMH . If left untreated, schizophrenia can worsen at any age, especially if you continue to experience episodes and symptoms.
People with schizophrenia can have trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy, expressing and managing normal emotions and making decisions. Thought processes may also be disorganized and the motivation to engage in life's activities may be blunted.
The truth is that while schizophrenia is influenced by genetics, it isn't directly inherited.
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.
The only type of medication known to effectively reduce the frequency and severity of hallucinations in schizophrenia spectrum disorders is antipsychotic medication.
Hallucinations aren't always intrusive, negative and scary, even in conditions like schizophrenia.