What You Can Do To Help A Loved One With Schizophrenia

You know your loved one better than anyone else. You’re the person who knows what they like and doesn’t like, what will make them feel better or worse, how to get through to them when they are in a bad mood. With all of this knowledge, you may find yourself feeling helpless when it comes to helping your loved one with schizophrenia. Just knowing that there is something you can do can be very empowering for you and your loved one. This blog post will give you some tips on how to help out someone who has schizophrenia without even realizing it!

Ask Questions And Lots Of Them

One of the most important things you can do as a loved one is asking questions. This may seem like an obvious suggestion, but it’s something that is commonly neglected. People with schizophrenia often feel misunderstood and alone. By asking questions, you show your loved ones that you care about them and want to understand their condition.

Listen

The number one thing you can do to help someone with schizophrenia is to simply listen to them. This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s something that a lot of people don’t do. They either avoid the topic altogether or try to talk their loved ones out of their delusions. Neither of these approaches works, so it’s important to listen and try to understand what the person is going through. This will make your loved one feel like you care and that you want to help them.

Here’s A Scenario:

Your loved one has been talking about the CIA coming after them for weeks now, accusing their family members of being spies. Instead of trying to change the subject or dismissing their claims, try to ask them more about what they’ve been seeing or hearing. What makes them think that their family is involved with the CIA? What have they done to try and protect themselves from the spies? By asking questions and listening to their answers, you’re not only showing that you care, but you’re also helping your loved ones to understand better what they’re experiencing.

Be Patient

It’s important to be patient with someone who has schizophrenia. This illness can be very frustrating and confusing for the person who has it and their loved ones. Don’t expect your loved one to get better overnight or start following all of the rules you set for them. For example, if your loved one has to take their medication regularly, don’t get mad at them for forgetting or trying to stop taking it. It takes time and patience to deal with this illness, so be patient with yourself and your loved one.

Be Positive

Believe it or not, people with schizophrenia can be affected by other people’s attitudes. If you’re constantly being negative or dwelling on the illness, your loved ones will start feeling worse about themselves and their situation. Try to keep a positive attitude and focus on how well your loved one is doing rather than what they haven’t been able to do yet. Being positive will not only make your loved ones feel better, but it will also motivate them to keep trying.

Let Your Loved One Know That You’re There for Them

At the end of the day, what your loved one wants most is to feel like you care about them and that they’re not alone. Let them know that you’re there for them, no matter what. Whether they need someone to talk to, someone to help them with their treatment, or just someone to listen, let them know that you’re there for them. They’ll appreciate it more than you can imagine.

Keep Them Away Alcohol & Drugs

Not only can drugs and alcohol make schizophrenia symptoms worse, but they can also have negative effects on the person who has the illness. Alcohol may seem like a quick way to relax and forget about the stress of dealing with an illness, but it’s usually not worth it. Even if your loved one is having a really hard time coping with their symptoms, it’s important to encourage them to stay away from drugs and alcohol. They’ll be grateful for your support in the long run.

Conclusion

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can be very difficult for those who have it and their loved ones. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with it, but there are some things that you can do to help your loved one. Always make sure to be patient, supportive, positive, and encouraging. Otherwise, your loved one might stop opening up to you about what they’re going through. Lastly, please talk to a professional about what you can do to help a person with schizophrenia. They will give you better and more specific advice.