1. Take Them to a Clinic
Schizophrenia is a treatable disease, but generally it requires medication and close monitoring for schizophrenics to lead a normal life. People who tell you diseases such as this one can be cured with lifestyle changes or herbal remedies are mistaken: It takes a prescription drug such as Haldol to resolve the symptoms of psychosis associated with schizophrenia. If your family member is suffering from hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders or a general disconnect from reality, experts recommend visiting a clinic for immediate care. The cost of waiting can be measured in injuries to the patient and others.
2. Ask a Specialist
Finding good therapy for family members with schizophrenia is easier if you have an expert resource like WebMD to point the way. Psychiatrists who work in association with local hospitals can help your family member find the highest standard of care, including newer drugs and the most appropriate program possible. Many of these programs include additional therapy for family members too, offering everything from essential tips and coaching to palliative talk therapy to help ease the burden of this crushing diagnosis. Generally, people with schizophrenia do better when those around them understand and sympathize with the many confusing symptoms.
3. Commit Them to a Hospital
The trickiest step to take is committing a family member to hospital care without their consent. Anyone who has been through this process knows how wrenching it can be, and situations that aren't managed properly can even become dangerous. The legal standard for forced commitment is threefold: if the person is a suicide risk, a danger to others or too disorganized in thought and habit to function safely in the world at large. Often an evaluation is needed for this very serious action to win legal sanction, and even then, experts will likely advise you to protect your family before going through with the commitment process.
