It’s often challenging to fight the symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia and find pleasure in engaging with others. That can drive you to remain in the confines of your home rather than venture outdoors. This gut reaction to stay inside can be overwhelming at times. My spouse helps me fight this problem by driving me to a place where we can have a pleasant walk without speaking to anyone. Then, he usually takes me shopping to let me interact with others I know who work in the stores. Even in a city, there are usually parks where you can enjoy the outdoors. As well as these outings with my spouse, about once a week, I force myself to go out alone for about an hour and a half to prove that I can manage a walk and a shop without my spouse. These outings reassure my spouse and me that I can go out alone if I need to and enjoy a pleasant walk as part of these adventures. If you don’t live alone, ask whoever lives with you to accompany you on walks and try them alone if you can. If you live alone and have trouble going outside, try to join a group that meets regularly and use it as your motivation to engage with others. A book club or volunteering at an animal rescue center or a food bank is possible, as well as a mental health support group.
