When someone you love is schizophrenic

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that involves a detachment from reality.

Along with symptoms that affect concentration and memory, people living with schizophrenia experience psychosis, which can include hallucinations and delusions. Individuals might lose interest in their usual activities, struggle with self-care, and withdraw from loved ones. These symptoms not only make daily life difficult and contribute to emotional distress, they can also lead to isolation, sleep problems, or substance use, any of which can affect well-being and complicate treatment.

If your loved one lives with schizophrenia, you might wonder how you can best offer support. Here’s a list of seven ways to help, along with a few things to avoid.

•One — Learn more about schizophrenia and what it is about. There is a lot of stigma surrounding schizophrenia, so it is important to be educated about what it really is and what the individual experiences. These include: Delusions, or beliefs not supported by factual evidence; hallucinations, seeing, hearing, and feeling things no one else can; and, cognitive symptoms such as concentrating, speaking clearly and answering questions.

They might repeat phrases, say things you don’t understand, or use words that do not make sense. There is a lot more that goes into the symptoms of schizophrenia, so explore this in greater detail.

•Two — Listen to the individual and validate them. Give them time to express themselves in their own way. Let them talk without trying to finish their sentences or fill in blank spaces. It may take more time to have a conversation, but making the effort can help them feel supported and connected.

•Three — Remember they are still their own person and rather thinking you have to do things for them, ask them how you can help. If they say they do not need help and there isn’t a safety risk, respect that. When you insist on doing something they do not want to do, you will more than likely be met with resistance.

•Four — Be sure to stay connected to them. Keeping in contact provides them with important social and emotional support. Staying connected also gives you the opportunity to encourage them if they seem reluctant to get support or continue treatment. Make a habit of checking in regularly in person, by phone, or by texting.

•Five — Help them make a crisis plan of what to do if their symptoms get worse. Keeping phone numbers of their treatment provide or a crisis line available; writing down specific coping strategies they can look at and do; keeping a list of medication; and having a list of people to contact that can help them.

•Six — Encourage them to continue with treatment. Individuals with schizophrenia need a long-term treatment plan. Medication can help with symptoms, but therapy can help them learn to recognize signs of an episode and explore strategies to manage symptoms and the distress they cause.

•Seven — Help them create small, achievable goals. Especially goals you can do with them, such as taking a 30-minute walk every day, going for a hike, eating a regular meal together, or trying something new.

Things to avoid? Challenging or denying hallucinations and delusions. Their symptoms are very real to them and denying them could push them away. They may decide they can’t trust or confide in you since you don’t believe them. A lack of trust can make it more difficult to support them and encourage them to get help for symptoms.

Offering support does not mean pretending their hallucinations and delusions are real, but simply validating their experience, such as, “it must feel so stressful to hear those voices.”

Also avoid doing things for them. Encourage them to take steps toward independence and teach them self-sufficiency.

Most of all, avoid blaming and judging. They can’t help having schizophrenia, and they can’t control the symptoms they experience. Offering compassion and respect is the best way to support them and maintain your connection, even when their behavior confuses or frustrates you. If you start to feel overwhelmed, make sure you have a support system to help you.