It can be excruciating to live as someone who cannot trust his own brain. This is the extreme mental anguish that those with schizophrenia face on a daily basis. Schizophrenics often hear voices that are not there, fear others wish to harm them when they don't and have their brains convince them lies are true and the truth is all lies. While schizophrenics can be difficult to treat successfully, there are measures that can be taken to help those with this mental illness lead more comfortable lives.
Step 1
Take your prescribed medications daily. Keep a journal of your experiences with new medicines to share with your health care providers. Do not stop taking a particular drug without first consulting the doctor who prescribed it. Anti-psychotic medication is the best current method of alleviating the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Step 2
Keep your medical appointments and therapy sessions. Be honest with your physician regarding your thoughts and actions as they involve your illness.
Step 3
Avoid ingesting alcohol and illicit drugs. These can make your condition much worse. Do not take any medication not prescribed or recommended by your health care team.
Step 4
Reduce your stress level by engaging in relaxation techniques daily. Take a yoga class or rent a DVD that illustrates relaxation methods such as guided imagery. Lowering stress will help keep your mind clam and allow your medication to work well.
Step 5
Refrain from isolating yourself from others. Though crowds and interactions with numerous strangers are not recommended, you should seek to have at least a couple of close relationships with others who are knowledgeable regarding your illness. The support of family members is also extremely helpful.
Step 6
Learn not to replay negative experiences in your mind. Schizophrenics often feel slighted or even threatened and have a tendency to "relive" these anguish inducing incidents over and over. When you find yourself thinking about these events immediately distract yourself with another topic that is positive in nature. Practice this technique as it works well over time.
Step 7
Instruct those close to you on how best to communicate with you. Explain that criticism, disapproval, resentment and overly emotional responses are likely to trigger psychotic episodes for you. Ask others to speak with you in a low, unexcited positive and warm voice.
Step 8
Avoid situations in which you know you are likely to have a negative response. For example, if you have had negative experiences in a particular grocery store then stop going there and find another market to suit your needs.
Step 9
Learn all you can about your illness by researching the latest medical journals and speaking with professionals in the mental health field. Discuss new medications and other treatments with your physicians as these may be helpful for you to try.
Tips and Warnings
- Remind yourself often that you suffer from an illness that is real though its symptoms are not and that it is not your fault that you have schizophrenia.
Things You'll Need
- Journal
