Updated on July 17, 2024
Schizophrenia is a mental condition or brain disorder that involves losing touch with reality.
There may be gradual changes that affect thinking, behaviour, and socializing, which leads to episodes of psychosis, and negative and cognitive symptoms.
This makes people with schizophrenia start seeing things that are not there or believing things that can’t be proven to have happened.
Symptoms generally associated with the condition are:
- Withdrawal from reality
- Disorganized thoughts, speech, and behaviours
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Agitations
- Lack of concentration and interest
How can you support someone with schizophrenia?
- Find out all you can about it
You may have no idea what the condition is all about, or know only the misconceptions about the condition. This isn’t very helpful.
It’s usually better to do your research to know the types, triggers, symptoms, treatments, etc.
With the right information, you become more aware and can then take necessary measures to help.
- Motivate them
Motivate them to get treatment, and even on days they don’t want to, encourage them to follow through.
You can also motivate them by offering to drive them to appointments, doing fun activities with them, and even trying family therapy.
This shows them that they are not alone and may encourage them to make efforts to get better.
- Have a listening ear and connect
Listen to them without judgment and try to understand and validate how they feel. Don’t make them feel like they are crazy.
Keep in touch as well, even when it seems like they are already getting better.
You can also connect by building a strong support system around them, either by taking advantage of support groups and services, or by involving family and friends.
That way, everyone can contribute to recovery in whatever way they can.
- Learn how they want to be helped
While it is important to show support in ways you think may be helpful, you should ask them how you can help.
Resist the urge to try to take charge of their lives like they’ve become incapacitated.
They’re human and may still want to show some level of independence. Just assist when and where you’re told to. Except in life-threatening situations, of course, where you would have to make quick decisions for them.
- Look out for yourself too
You can only support someone who is ill when you are in the right frame of mind yourself. Ensure to relax, eat healthy, exercise, and take a break if need be.
Though with its peculiarities, when shown support like this from both friends and loved ones, individuals with schizophrenia are on track to proper management and recovery.
How does Schizophrenia affect individuals?
Lack of interest in socializing: Sometimes, hallucinations and delusions can get really awkward, especially when among a group of people who don’t understand their condition. This may make them to always avoid social settings and also not participate in activities.
Loneliness: People with schizophrenia are sometimes called crazy and violent. This is because their symptoms are usually a lot to deal with. Unless they have a strong support system around them, they tend to become lonely and isolated.
Lack of fulfilment: Because they have short attention spans, it is hard for them to be organized and focus on starting and finishing one thing at a time. So, they begin to do different things at almost the same time that they don’t finish. However, with discipline and help, this can be overcome.
Insomnia and stress: This sleeping problem is common, as it is usually hard to have good sleep, leaving them always feeling tired, thereby reducing productivity.
Clumsiness: They are not able to express themselves and even their emotions properly. This is because disorganized thoughts become jumbled up words which affect their speech.
Activities to try out with someone with schizophrenia
- One-on-one activities like jigsaw puzzles, card games, and chess to help with concentration
- Spa treatments to relax and let off steam
- Volunteering to help productivity
- Gyming to improve physical health
- Art therapy to express themselves through drawing and painting
- Vacationing for increased happiness
Looking for reliable and trustworthy care services?
At Centre Disability Support, we offer tailored support services for individuals with disabilities throughout Australia.
We offer housing options in Logan, Ipswich and Brisbane areas, where we provide independent supported living or assist individuals in finding suitable options for individualised living.
Additionally, we provide day-to-day support for individuals with mental health issues, complex behaviour and other types of disabilities.
We also have support coordinators available to assist with planning, navigating NDIS plans, and offering casework support.
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