10 Tips for Supporting a Family Member with Schizophrenia

Learn More: One of the most challenging and frustrating aspects of schizophrenia derives from a lack of knowledge and understanding. Quite simply, the more you learn, the easier it becomes to understand and explain what is happening and why. Although good progress has been made, schizophrenia still isn't fully understood, so don't try searching for the answer or the treatment, because they don't exist. It's far better, and actually fairly easy, to start with a broad understanding of schizophrenia. On this website, you could start with an introduction to schizophrenia, which explains the different forms the illness can take. Then take a look at the What You Should Know article, which explains about the causes & the symptoms of schizophrenia.

It's Not About Blame: The fact that your son or daughter has schizophrenia can tap into deep-rooted concerns and beliefs. For example, some people believe it is a punishment from God, while others may blame themselves or a spouse for a perceived weakness in the family line. The fact is blame of any sort is completely ill-founded. Blame is a negative and eroding emotion that achieves nothing. Far better therefore to focus on the positives and to look for the best.

Or Shame: We spend a good deal of time conforming to the standards of behavior others find acceptable. Whenever the spotlight of unwelcome attention falls on us we feel uncomfortable, worried, irritated and unsettled. Even if you have taken the time and trouble to learn about schizophrenia others may not. People whose only knowledge of schizophrenia comes from the media or gossip are likely to feel anxious, apprehensive and maybe even worried about their safety. What is your role in such circumstances? Is it to feel ashamed and apologetic, or might it be to reassure and educate? If we all adopt the second option we can make a positive impression.

Remember the Person: Amongst the turmoil of diagnosis, unfamiliar behavior, hospitalization, changes in medication, reactions from others and personal concerns, there remains a person in your life with a need for love and compassion. This same person is possibly experiencing a level of turmoil that most of us can't even imagine. At the end of the day they are a person with an illness. As the saying goes, love the person - hate the illness.

Remember Who You Are: When taking on the role of caregiver it's all too easy to see this as your role. The person you give support to knows as much about their future as you. They may recover. They may gradually get worse. They may dip in and out of psychosis for years and carry the burden that comes with years of medication, side effects, discrimination and hurt. The person may be confused so the structure around them needs to be stable. If you are the caregiver you are also just as likely to be the mother or father or sister or brother. Try to hold on to that role, the family structure and the dignity that comes from this.