How To Help People With Schizophrenia? Health Tips
Schizophrenia can be managed in a number of ways, here’s how you can help your loved one cope with this mental health condition.
A person’s mental health is as important as his physical health. There are many mental health disorders that affect different types of people depending on the severity of the individual. Schizophrenia is a mental health condition often characterized by a disconnection from the real world. People suffering from this disease can experience various symptoms which can actually cause memory loss, delusions, hallucinations, etc. in people. People with schizophrenia may experience isolation from themselves and may now self-care and withdraw from loved ones. As friends and family of someone with this mental health disorder, it is our duty to support them and help them with their situation.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Symptoms may vary from person to person, but some symptoms remain the same. Here are some common symptoms of schizophrenia that most people go through-
- Highly disorganized behavior or abnormal motor behavior
- Delusion – It is a condition of the false belief that the event did not actually happen
- Hallucination- Hearing or seeing something that did not happen or exist
- Disorganized speech and thinking – the person cannot say what they want to say without being understood
- Negative symptoms in humans
How to Help People with Schizophrenia?
1. Validate and Listen to them
It is likely that people with schizophrenia can tell you about their hallucinations and what they mean. This makes them unsure of how they react and feel in different situations. Try to listen to them and encourage them to overcome their inner fears and confusion. Even if you can’t fully understand what they’re going through, try to relate to their stories and lies to make them feel better about themselves. Don’t dismiss them or give them flat feedback as this can make their situation worse.
2. Lend your Help
Ask your friend or person with schizophrenia to help them with their daily needs. Just ask to lend your help in any way that makes their lives easier and better. Maybe you have a lot of advice and suggestions, just humbly make them aware. Here are some ways you can help them or help them-
- Helping them with dinner, maybe going out to eat with them, or just doing some dishes
- After making their bed or cleaning out their closet, you notice some clothes lying around and want to help.
- Helping them get groceries or items from shops or nearby places
- Also understand, they may ask you not to do any of the things mentioned above and you have to respect that. Don’t impose your actions on yourself.
3. Stay connected to them
People with schizophrenia often try to isolate themselves because they feel confused, upset, and afraid. Early symptoms of schizophrenia include self-isolation and social withdrawal, they may even lose interest in meeting you. Don’t try to invade their personal space, but try to connect with them over the phone, ask about their hobbies, their routines, and encourage them to participate in social events. Try to give them emotional support and give them love which makes them more involved in reality.
4. Help to manage crisis
Once the symptoms of schizophrenia appear, it becomes relatively challenging for people to cope with it in their lives. Try to help them by creating a plan for them to regularize their lives and help them improve their confusion in their lives. Here’s how you can prevent your loved one from getting worse symptoms-
- Emergency contacts should be on the speed dial
- Note the main episodes of schizophrenia
- Slide several psychiatrists on their mobiles for professional help
- Develop strategies that help cope with adversity
- Help them talk to experts, suggest attending social events
- Prepare a list of medications, allergies, and other important health information.
- Try to understand how you would like to take care of their children, pets, or household items.
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