You might have heard the word schizophrenia, but let me tell you that this is much more than that.
In its simplest forms, schizophrenia is a serious mental illness or disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, which can be distressing for them and for their family and friends. Moreover, they can feel and experience hallucinations, delusions, disorders in speech, emotional distress, anxiety, stress, depression, and negative symptoms that are sometimes can be deliberate and uncontrollable.
Having a loved one living with schizophrenia can be daunting and challenging. However, your support and love can make a huge difference in helping them regulate and manage schizophrenia.
Here are some suggestions to help someone living with schizophrenia:
Educate Yourself
Schizophrenia is a difficult mental illness to understand. Therefore, learn and understand as much as you can. The more information you have, the better prepared you will be to deal with the situation and assist someone or yourself in need. Furthermore, you will be in a better position to offer them encouragement, increasing the likelihood that they will stick to their treatment even when things get tough.
Speaking of understanding schizophrenia, Diana Dirkby’s “The Overlife” can help!
Dive into the raw and unflinching reality of schizophrenia with “The Overlife: A Tale of Schizophrenia” by Diana Dirkby. This captivating novel delves into the lives of a family grappling with this complex mental illness. Join Sarah, a young woman thrust into the role of caregiver for her mother, Jodie, both diagnosed with schizophrenia. We witness the profound impact of schizophrenia on their lives. From various challenges to struggles and pain, this book showcases the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of love and care in the face of immense challenges. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of mental health and the transformative power of empathy and family support.
Get your copy on Amazon: amazon.com/dp/B0CHQZ6WYL/.
Listen And Validate
Do you know that your love and support can significantly help someone deal with schizophrenia? Therefore, when your loved one or someone with this mental illness describes their condition — such as hallucinations or delusions, don’t feel uncertain about how to respond. Instead, validate their confusion, frustration, and fear — and try to stay there for them, even when you don’t fully understand their experience. While it is normal not to know what to say,
instead of dismissing these symptoms as lies or stories, you can try to perceive, hear, and believe them and remain completely real to them. Even if it seems difficult, consider how you would feel and how you would want others to react if you were certain of something that everyone else denied or dealing with schizophrenia.
Encourage Them To Take Medications On TIme
It is important to encourage your loved one to take medication regularly. Even with side effects under control, some people with schizophrenia can refuse medication or have trouble remembering their daily dose. Medication reminder apps, weekly pillboxes, and calendars can also help. Some medications are available as long-lasting weekly or monthly injections instead of daily pills. Therefore, remember to take notes of these and help your loved one avoid any pitfalls in drug interactions by giving the doctor a complete list of the drugs and supplements they’re taking.
Read Books
While it might sound out of context, reading books is a great way to help immensely with schizoaffective disorder and schizoaffective anxiety. Interestingly, several studies indicate that reading works of literacy fiction, such as “Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies,” can benefit people with mental health difficulties.
“Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies” by Diana Dirkby is a suspenseful horror novel that plunges you into the idyllic town of Vrayboro, now a stage for a nightmare. Three teenagers vanish without a trace, leaving a trail of terror in their wake. As the investigation intensifies, a chilling connection emerges — the disappearances eerily mirror the vengeful acts of the Three Furies from Greek mythology. Through the eyes of a resident with a unique perspective shaped by both knowledge of mythology and personal battles with mental illness, the narrative delves into the darkest corners of human nature.