Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects the way a person understands and interact with his or her surroundings. People with schizophrenia experience problems concentrating, communicating, or taking part in their daily routine. Schizophrenics may experience breaks from reality called psychosis. These could be hallucinations or delusions. Some may experience changes in mood, motivation, and the ability to complete tasks, and are usually restless.
Schizophrenia can affect anyone as young as teenagers. Causes are still unknown. Fortunately, studies have shown that early treatment can help reduce the impact of schizophrenia among affected people including their families and loved ones. While there is no cure for schizophrenia, people can recover. The journey to recovery requires the right medication, care, understanding, and support.
Supporting a person with schizophrenia can be hard. It can be difficult to understand what they are going through, and their behaviour may be confusing at times, but love and support can go a long way.
One of the best ways to show support for people with schizophrenia is by helping them feel that you care, and you understand their situation. Talk to them calmly in a quiet place and avoid arguing with delusions or hallucinations; but focus more on what they feel. Creating a crisis or emergency plan with them will be also helpful.
To learn more about schizophrenia and how you can get involved, visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website at ontario.cmha.ca.