Schizophrenia (cont.)
How can you help a person with
schizophrenia?
People with schizophrenia can get help from professional case managers and
caregivers at residential or day programs. However, family members usually are a
patient's primary caregivers.
People with schizophrenia often resist treatment. They may not think they
need help because they believe their delusions or hallucinations are real. In
these cases, family and friends may need to take action to keep their loved one
safe. Laws vary from state to state, and it can be difficult to force a person
with a mental disorder into treatment or hospitalization. But when a person
becomes dangerous to himself or herself, or to others, family members or friends
may have to call the police to take their loved one to the hospital.
Treatment at the hospital. In the emergency room, a mental health
professional will assess the patient and determine whether a voluntary or
involuntary admission is needed. For a person to be admitted involuntarily, the
law states that the professional must witness psychotic behavior and hear the
person voice delusional thoughts. Family and friends can provide needed
information to help a mental health professional make a decision.
After a loved one leaves the hospital. Family and friends can help
their loved ones get treatment and take their medication once they go home. If
patients stop taking their medication or stop going to follow-up appointments,
their symptoms likely will return. Sometimes symptoms become severe for people
who stop their medication and treatment. This is dangerous, since they may
become unable to care for themselves. Some people end up on the street or in
jail, where they rarely receive the kind of help they need.
Family and friends can also help patients set realistic goals and learn to
function in the world. Each step toward these goals should be small and taken
one at a time. The patient will need support during this time. When people with
a mental illness are pressured and criticized, they usually do not get well.
Often, their symptoms may get worse. Telling them when they are doing something
right is the best way to help them move forward.
It can be difficult to know how to respond to someone with schizophrenia who
makes strange or clearly false statements. Remember that these beliefs or
hallucinations seem very real to the person. It is not helpful to say they are
wrong or imaginary. But going along with the delusions is not helpful, either.
Instead, calmly say that you see things differently. Tell them that you
acknowledge that everyone has the right to see things his or her own way. In
addition, it is important to understand that schizophrenia is a biological
illness. Being respectful, supportive, and kind without tolerating dangerous or
inappropriate behavior is the best way to approach people with this disorder.
People with schizophrenia can get help from professional case managers and
caregivers at residential or day programs.
Next: What is the outlook for the future? »
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