1. Stay Organized With Treatment
It is not easy to cope with a family member who has schizophrenia. This is a destructive and distressing disease, and one which can rob nearly every family gathering warmth and trust. If you have a family member who is suffering with schizophrenia, it is essential to stay on top of the medications and other treatment regimens the physician or therapist has put in place. Often family members can maintain some semblance of control and normalcy simply by monitoring the treatment carefully and speaking with specialists whenever something unexpected occurs.
2. Get Help for Yourself
Organization can only do so much, however, which is why experts recommend seeking some therapy of your own. Schizophrenia is a terrible burden on any family, and it's not unusual for parents and siblings who have been thrust into caretaker roles to experience guilt and depression over time. Joining a support group, online or in person, is a good way to share the load and gain support. A number of national organizations such as Schizophrenia.com offer advice and guidance for the family of mentally ill patients, and your local hospital may be able to get you in touch with a community as well.
3. Protect Your Family
One of the greatest sources of guilt for family members of schizophrenics is the effect this disease can have on children in the family. As painful as it may be, experts recommend insulating young people from the damaging behaviors of schizophrenia, even if that means they cannot have a lot of contact with a suffering individual. The medical literature is rife with stories of episodes that have turned suddenly violent and dangerous, and the last thing you want is for a normal child to suffer needlessly because of another family member's disease. Sometimes separation and gentle explanation is the best way to keep everyone healthy.
