Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder affecting 1% of the world’s population. The illness is characterized by hallucinations, paranoia and inaccurate perceptions of reality and may stem from several causes, including genetic and neurobiological factors. If you suspect a person close to you has schizophrenia, wanting to help them is natural. Here’s how to help someone with schizophrenia who refuses treatment or is struggling with their diagnosis.
Recognizing Early Warning Signs and Symptoms
Most cases of schizophrenia are diagnosed when a person is between their late teens and early thirties, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Subtle changes caused by the condition may begin to appear months or years before a case is confirmed. Cases of childhood-onset schizophrenia are also possible, but they’re extremely rare, affecting 0.4% of children. Knowing how schizophrenia manifests, especially early on, means you may be able to help a loved one get treatment as soon as possible.
Early signs of schizophrenia include:
- Self-isolation
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Sudden noise or light sensitivity
- Poor posture
- Extreme fear of specific objects or situations
- Moodiness
- Lack of emotional expression
- Unusual shyness
- Jumbled speech
- Inappropriate social behavior
- Sudden confusion
As the condition progresses, more severe symptoms will likely manifest. These symptoms can be broken down into three categories: negative, positive and cognitive.
Negative Symptoms
Negative schizophrenia symptoms involve a loss of typically normal functions. These are sometimes misdiagnosed as clinical depression and may include:
- Trouble completing daily tasks
- Reduced desire to socialize
- Expressionless facial features and lack of intonation when speaking
- Trouble putting words and thoughts together
- Disinterest in hobbies and other pleasurable activities
Positive Symptoms
Unlike negative symptoms, which represent an absence of typical behavior, positive symptoms involve the presence of behaviors that shouldn’t be there, including:
- Auditory, visual or physical hallucinations
- Delusions, such as paranoia or extreme jealousy
- Catatonia (lying abnormally still for extended periods)
- Unusual jumpiness
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive symptoms impact brain functions, making it more difficult for people with schizophrenia to complete everyday tasks. These include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Disrupted short-term memory
- Disorganized speech
- Lack of personal awareness
How to Talk to Someone With Schizophrenia
Communicating properly is one of the best ways to offer support to someone with schizophrenia. Because it can be a sensitive topic involving difficult emotions, it’s important to approach the subject thoughtfully. Here are some tips for communicating and offering support:
- Focus on feelings. A person with schizophrenia might see or hear things that aren’t there, but it’s important to remember that these things seem very real to them. Rather than discussing what is and isn’t true, try to focus on how they’re feeling. Consider showing empathy with statements like “That sounds frightening. Let’s focus on something else.”
- Highlight the positives. It can be easy to let positivity slip in light of mental illness, but staying optimistic is one way to help a person with schizophrenia cope. If they managed to brush their teeth after getting out of bed in the morning, celebrate the achievement as you would any other.
- Make a plan. In the event of a crisis, it helps to have a plan. On the days when their symptoms are mild, encourage them to prepare a set of guidelines to follow in case an episode occurs. This can involve a discussion of their symptoms and triggers, updating the emergency contact information with their doctor’s office and familiarizing yourself with the address of the hospital they’ll attend in an emergency.
Encouraging Treatment and Medication Adherence
A person with schizophrenia might not understand that they have a mental illness, especially if they haven’t yet had any form of treatment. Deciding to seek treatment at all can be stressful, and it’s important to avoid pushing your loved one too hard. Follow these tips to help someone with schizophrenia who refuses treatment:
- Emphasize the importance of early intervention. The sooner your loved one starts treatment, the better. Try reminding them that early intervention can reduce the condition’s severity.
- Listen more than you speak. Make sure your loved one has a voice when it comes to making decisions about their recovery.
- Offer your help. If you can, offering to remind them to take their medication regularly can help them stay on track. Keeping track of their mood changes in a shared journal may also help them identify any side effects they might experience.
- Avoid judgment. Try to avoid using hurtful language, even when frustrated, to prevent your loved one from feeling ashamed about their condition.
Setting Boundaries and Practicing Self-Care
Part of learning how to deal with a schizophrenic person is setting healthy boundaries. Though you may be eager to help, overextending yourself can lead to burnout. Instead, set a limit on what you can handle at the outset to ensure any assistance you offer is sustainable. Educating yourself about schizophrenia can help you decide how far you’re willing to go with your help.
Seeking therapy can give you a safe space to vent any concerns or questions you have about offering your support to a loved one with schizophrenia. Searching for support groups in your area can also connect you with people experiencing similar relationships. Both of these outlets can provide you with coping strategies that may preserve your own mental health.
Finally, it’s important to make time for yourself, whether it’s through hobbies, exercise or spending time with friends and family. Maintaining your personal well-being makes you better equipped to be there for a loved one suffering from schizophrenia.
How to Help Someone With Schizophrenia Who Refuses Treatment: Reaching Out for Support
Professional help is crucial in treating schizophrenia, and the team at Restore is prepared to offer their support. Our compassionate team can develop a personalized treatment plan for your loved one to ensure they get exactly what they need from their care. With the right help, they can find the freedom from their condition that they’ve been seeking. Contact us today to get started.
