1. Help Yourself
Avoid comparing yourself to others. When you are suffering from schizophrenia, it is easy to look at poor academic achievement, inability at work, or relationship discord as signs of inadequacy or personal failure. Don't give in to this temptation. Instead, realize that your great worth is not tied to the achievements of those around you. Search your strengths and allow your gifts and abilities to shine despite schizophrenia; make yourself the best you can be with each new day.
Pay attention to your thoughts. When paranoia manifests, recognize the delusions for what they are and strive to refute them with the facts around you. Notice how you interact with others, and then elicit feedback about how your social skills are progressing. Don't be afraid to try a new approach if a friend recommends it. Keep track of your emotions. Do they match the circumstances? Are you overreacting or ignoring important emotional cues? Doing so will help you remain calm and in control.
Examine your environment. Are things being placed where they don't belong? Have you noticed your house is cluttered and disorganized? Strive to maintain order in both your home and your mind. If necessary, leave yourself notes, make lists and invite friends to help. Keep your body in good physical shape, and pay attention to hygiene, rest, exercise and taking medication as prescribed. Relax and enjoy life. Recreation and times of play are important for optimal mental health.
2. Let Your Family Help
Accept aid from family and friends. The greater your social support system is, the more hands you have to lift you should you stumble or fall. Friends and family provide companionship and allow you to vent frustrations, share your joys and find encouragement when weary. Remember also that your illness affects the entire family. At times, they will experience frustration, denial and grief just as you do. Therefore, it is important to maintain close ties, so that mutual compassion can strengthen everyone involved.
Unfortunately, some people suffering from schizophrenia have the added disadvantage of living with critical, tense, and hostile families. In this case, therapists can help the family improve its functioning and thereby enhance its support of all members. To do this, the family is educated about their conduct's negative effects. Family members may voice pent-up frustrations or fears, receive training to control emotional outbursts and eventually find healthier ways of interacting. In some cases, families refuse to change behaviors even after intervention occurs. Should you find yourself in this position, it might be best to minimize contact with your negative home life and focus on building a strong support system composed of others in your community.
3. Seek Professional Help
Trained mental health professionals know the impact schizophrenia has upon the person suffering with it and are attuned to the needs of the family and community in which that person lives. In addition to medication, regular counseling sessions will help you to make long-term plans, manage your symptoms, improve relationships, cope with stress and increase overall functioning.
Beyond this, professionals provide opportunities for education about the course and treatment of schizophrenia, answering questions you may prefer to voice in private. Some agencies offer comprehensive information, such as the National Schizophrenia Foundation and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Taking a moment to learn more about the disorder is always a wise decision.
