How to Care For Schizophrenics

It is only natural to be stressed and feel helpless when taking care of schizophrenics. Yet, recovery is possible if proper medical care, life skills, and coping skills are put to use.

Symptoms

In order to provide the best possible care to the schizophrenics, the caretaker must learn about the disease and its symptoms. This condition manifests itself via a number of behavioral patterns and symptoms. Given below are the characteristic symptoms of the disease:

Other symptoms include the following:

• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Inappropriate affect
• Dysphoric mood
• Depersonalization
• Lack of insight into disorder
• Anxiety and phobias
• Derealization
• Cognitive deficits

Now that you know the symptoms of the disease well, you are ready to take care of your love one suffering from schizophrenia.

Taking Care of Schizophrenics

Schizophrenia is mainly treated by medications. However, there are other ways to treat it as well. You should discuss these other options with your loved one too. Here are some useful alternative treatments for schizophrenia:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for effective stress management
• Life skills training, allowing them to rejoin the workplace
• Social skills training
• Group therapy – this will help them build a social network

In addition to opting for alternative treatment options, you must help your loved one with their social skills. You should know your limits and work on targets to provide maximum help to your protégé. Coordinate with the patient’s doctor and create opportunities for them to socialize in the best possible way under controlled conditions.

Encourage your loved one to seek help from outside as well and take them to support groups. Ask them to discuss it with you as well. Talk to them and help them express themselves. Also, make sure that the person suffering from schizophrenia has a healthy lifestyle with good food, exercise, and relaxation techniques to soothe their nerves.

Being Ready for a Crisis

You might be doing everything in your power to treat your loved one but there is always the chance of a mishap. Despite the best treatments and therapies, a relapse might occur. In case you realize that your patient’s condition is deteriorating, you must take them to a hospital ASAP. Therefore, you should always be prepared in case a psychotic episode ensues.

Here is a workable emergency plan for you to follow:

Now that you are equipped with all the necessary information, you are ready to take care of your schizophrenic loved one. All you need now is compassion, love, and the presence of mind. Be kind and pass the love to those who need it the most.