Information
Fact Sheets

Whilst some people with schizophrenia recover, others have fluctuations in their mental health over time. When well, they should be treated just like anyone else. When ill their ability to concentrate and think clearly is severely reduced and their thinking and behaviour can be very disorganised.

We can help them cope by speaking slowly and clearly and keeping our messages short. Repeating important points may help the person understand. If the conversation keeps drifting from the topic, just gently bring the topic back to major issues at hand.

Why is the technique useful?

A person with schizophrenia replies:

"My concentration often floats in and out so that I only hear part of a sentence. Maybe I will miss two or three words which will make it very difficult to understand. Recently I went on a family outing. There were other families there and I could hear everything that everyone was saying to everyone else. The sound and all the people moving about came in on me so much I began to get quite frightened. I was agitated and irritated at the same time. My dad took me to a quiet place where we sat and had a cup of tea. We didn't talk about it. We just sat and drank our tea and I began to feel less threatened."

Structure and routine can be helpful for people with schizophrenia. Some people may experience a loss of verbal expression, flattening of emotions, reduced motivation and problems with hygiene. Those with such symptoms may find it hard to plan or initiate things. We can help them cope by reducing unnecessary change and, if it is acceptable for the person, by gently prompting them on day-to-day activities when appropriate.

Is it possible to achieve this?

Some people with schizophrenia become very disabled from time to time. It is not always possible for them to follow a schedule, although it is beneficial to try to maintain a routine. However, when the person attempts a task but isn't able to complete it correctly it is not helpful to say things like: "Can't you get anything right?" Breaking tasks into simple components creates the opportunity for success and encourages the feeling of being useful. Give only one instruction at a time.

Sometimes you may feel you are walking on broken glass when your relative or someone you know is having a difficult time. You need to summon up all your energy to earn their trust whilst at the same time maintaining equilibrium at home.

Do not be afraid to seek help from professionals.

Here are some ideas:

• Be friendly, accepting and encouraging
• Make time to listen
• Include them in things you say and do
• Treat them with respect
• Assist the person to get help or get help for yourself when difficult situations or behaviour arise
• Help the person to recognise and respond to their own early warning signs of a recurrence of acute illness
• Plan in advance with them the actions you both will take when this occurs - you will need to get their permission.

Avoid:

• Being patronising and critical
• Pushing them into uncomfortable situations
• Being gloomy
• Arguing with them or with others while they are present
• Giving them a lecture or talking too much
• Playing along with delusions or paranoia

When a person has schizophrenia a crisis may occur, and it may seem difficult to help. However, there are things you may do to reduce the impact of the crisis.

Here are a few pointers:

• Check with the person in advance about what helps.
• Sit down and ask the person to sit down with you
• Ask the person what you could do to make them feel better
• The person may be terrified by their feelings or lack of control
• Decrease distractions - turn off the TV, radio or dishwasher
• Ask casual visitors to leave - the fewer people the better
• Do not express irritation or anger
• Do not shout
• Do not use sarcasm as a weapon
• Avoid direct continuous eye contact
• Avoid touching the person
• Get help for the person and support for yourself (eg - Mental Illness Fellowship or the Association of Relatives and Friends of the Mentally Ill).

A relative or friend may move or change circumstances without informing anyone. Some mental health professionals are inclined to tell carers "Let him take responsibility for doing this" or "It will be a learning experience for her". However, when a person has schizophrenia a different approach is advisable.

We know from experience that often people with schizophrenia are unable to take responsibility for informing others about such matters. If we leave them to do so we are likely to end up dealing with a complicated mess. Examples are: pension cheque fails to arrive and the person is cut off from benefits; bank communications are ignored, bills are not paid, premises are left uncleaned. Our advice is to negotiate with them on these issues and to look after these matters yourself if you suspect your relative or friend won't.

Do you help frail old ladies across the street? Use a similar attitude to rethink your interaction with a person who is experiencing an episode of schizophrenia. This doesn't mean being overly friendly, but do not ignore them, engage them in friendly conversation, without being intrusive.

People with schizophrenia can live successfully with support. Some people with schizophrenia require support only when unwell, whilst a minority require ongoing support with day to day tasks of life.

Take into account that sometimes the person may be anxious and may withdraw. Let people withdraw, but leave the door open. Maybe ask them to visit you when they are able. Offer a cake or a plant or some other friendly gesture. Send a greeting card with a friendly message.

People like to feel in control of their lives. Sometimes it is difficult to persuade someone with schizophrenia to do what is best for them. It is useful to offer a choice. "Will you take a walk now or after lunch", might be a way to suggest a walk, a shower or any useful or enjoyable activity.

People with schizophrenia often have feelings that change frequently, so that what someone may refuse now they may agree to do later.

Remember, people with schizophrenia deserve our respect and support. It is impossible to imagine what it is like to live with frightening delusions and hallucinations, as well as public stigma and ignorance.

Really, people with schizophrenia should be hailed as heroes.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES

POETS CORNER

BROCHURES

Acrobat reader is required to read these documents. If you require acrobat, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the link.
 
 To download the documents, right click on the newsletter links and chose the option 'save as' to save the pdf files to your computer.

FACTS - Bipolar Disorder (10 KB)

FACTS - Cannabis & Psychosis (8 KB)

FACTS - Psychosis (10 KB)

FACTS - Schizophrenia (10 KB)

FACTS - Mental illness (8 KB)

Coping With Difficult Behaviour (31 KB)

How To Help Someone Who Stops Taking Their Medication (9 KB)

Clozapine (25 KB)

Practical Points to Enhance The Effectiveness of Medications (29 KB)

When A Parent Has Mental Illness: Helping Children Cope (33 KB)