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This article was co-authored by Noel Hunter, Psy.D. Dr. Noel Hunter is a Clinical Psychologist based in New York City. She is the director and founder of MindClear Integrative Psychotherapy. She specializes in using a trauma-informed, humanistic approach for treating and advocating for people diagnosed with mental disorders. Dr. Hunter holds a BA in Psychology from the University of South Florida, an MA in Psychology from New York University, and a doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D) from Long Island University. She has been featured in National Geographic, BBC News, CNN, TalkSpace, and Parents magazine. She is also the author of the book Trauma and Madness in Mental Health Services.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 11,190 times.
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder that may make you feel like you have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is considered a chronic mental illness, it is treatable. In fact, many people with schizophrenia lead positive and productive lives with jobs, passions, and healthy relationships. Schizophrenia is best treated by an experienced mental health provider. See a doctor, get needed support, and implement positive lifestyle habits to manage schizophrenia.
Steps
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:
Seeking Professional Help
See a doctor for a thorough diagnosis. To receive an adequate diagnosis of schizophrenia, start by visiting your family physician. This doctor may be your first line of treatment for schizophrenia. They can conduct a physical examination, review your medical history, and help rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.[1]
Undergo testing. If your doctor doesn’t find any medical explanation for your symptoms, they may refer you to a mental health provider for further testing. A psychiatrist or psychologist may perform a battery of tests to check your mental status and ask questions about your symptoms.[2]- Be honest and upfront about any symptoms you experience. Giving your mental health provider the full picture of your symptoms ensures that you receive the right diagnosis.
- Your doctor may ask whether you have seen or felt things that others didn’t (hallucinations) or have unshakable beliefs that aren't based in reality (delusions).
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Discuss medication options with your doctor. Medication is typically at the foundation of treatment for schizophrenia. These medications work by improving the balance of chemicals in the brain that make you lose touch with reality. Talk to your doctor to determine which medication is right for you.[3]- The most effective medications for schizophrenia include antipsychotics, particularly second-generation medications that have fewer serious side effects (also known as atypical antipsychotics). Keep in mind, however, that you may have to try several medications before finding the one that best helps you manage your schizophrenia symptoms.
- Follow your doctor’s orders when taking your medications. Never stop taking your meds unless your doctor has instructed you to, as doing so could lead to serious side effects.
- If you experience negative side effects from your medication, let your doctor know as soon as possible. They will likely be able to switch you to a different medication.
Consider psychotherapy. Although medication is the best way to reduce schizophrenia symptoms, many people also find that talk therapy also helps them manage schizophrenia. Psychotherapy may involve educating yourself about how schizophrenia impacts your functioning, helping you cope with stress that exacerbates symptoms, and conducting reality testing.[4]- In addition to one-on-one therapy, you might also consider group therapy or family therapy. Both of which can help you learn to better manage living with schizophrenia.
Ask about electroconvulsive therapy. Electroconvulsive therapy, or ECT, is a procedure in which currents are sent through the brain to reverse the symptoms of severe mental illness. When used in combination with medication, ECT has proven to be an effective form of treating severe forms of schizophrenia that are resistant to typical treatments.[5]- If you are failing to see improvements from second-generation antipsychotics, you might ask your doctor about ECT.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:
Getting Support for Schizophrenia
Connect with a community intervention team. After you are diagnosed with schizophrenia, your health care providers should set you up with a community mental health team, sometimes called assertive community treatment (ACT). These teams consist of highly experienced professionals from a variety of backgrounds who can provide day-to-day individualized treatment and support for living with schizophrenia.[6]- Your team might consist of psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health nurses, pharmacists, counselors, social workers, and occupational therapists.
Involve your friends and family. Receiving support from your loved ones is critical to your ability to manage schizophrenia. Include your family and friends in doctor visits, ACT team meetings, therapy sessions, and support groups. Encourage them to ask your treatment team any questions they need to better support you.[7]- You might also make special requests as to how your loved ones can support you. These may include helping you spot early warning signs, helping you remember your medications, accompanying you to appointments, and helping you relearn skills to function in everyday life.
Participate in a support group. Being diagnosed with schizophrenia can make you feel isolated and misunderstood. That’s why it’s a great idea to connect with other people who are living with the condition. Self-help and support groups are designed to help you build relationships with others with schizophrenia.[8]- In support groups, you might discuss helpful coping strategies, get education about managing schizophrenia, and share stories about what’s it like living with the disorder.
- Ask your doctor or therapist about schizophrenia support groups in your area.
Get social skills training. Ask your community mental health team or support group about how you can receive social skills training. These behavioral interventions can help you better function in the community and feel more capable of managing schizophrenia.[9]- Social skills training can improve your quality of life by helping you behave appropriately in social situations, solve problems, communicate more effectively with those around you, and deal with everyday life stress.[10]
Receive vocational rehabilitation. Doing meaningful work in your community can also help improve your quality of life with schizophrenia. Consider getting vocational training to help you develop transferrable skills, look for a job that suits your lifestyle and condition, and learn how to manage your money.[11]- In some cases, vocational training may be grouped in with social skills training.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:
Living with Schizophrenia
Eat a nutritious diet. Since food is fuel for the body and the brain, consuming a nutrient-rich diet can support your mental health. Avoid sugar, refined carbohydrates, coffee, and alcohol. Such foods can worsen your symptoms. Instead, eat plenty of green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, beans, nuts and seeds.[12]- Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to support brain health. Get omega-3s from salmon, mackerel, flaxseed, and walnuts. Or, ask your doctor about taking an omega-3 supplement.
Stay physically active. Exercise offers neuroprotective benefits to the brain while boosting your energy and mood. Aerobic exercise, in particular, has been shown to improve your ability to understand social situations, enhance attention span, and boost working memory.[13]- Get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day. Try aerobic exercises like running, hiking, swimming, dancing, or cycling.
Build a consistent sleep routine. Poor sleep habits can signal a relapse of schizophrenia symptoms or worsen ongoing symptoms. It’s important to talk to your doctor about sleep problems and come up with a game plan for improving sleep quality and duration.[14]- Try sleeping only at night, reserving the bedroom for sleep and sex, and powering off electronic devices at least an hour before bed. You might also create a bedtime routine, such as taking a warm bath or doing some light reading.[15]
- If sleep problems persist, tell your doctor. They may be able to prescribe new medications or change your current meds to help you sleep better.
Practice gratitude for the good days. Living with schizophrenia can mean having many days in which your symptoms are especially bad, leading to loss of contact with reality and even hospitalization. It can help to improve your outlook of living with this condition by starting a gratitude practice.[16]- Gratitude has been shown to benefit brain health and mood. Reap the benefits by jotting down some of the good things that happen on days when your symptoms are manageable.
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Expert Q&A
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- QuestionWhat are the warning signs that someone is having a relapse?
Noel Hunter, Psy.DDr. Noel Hunter is a Clinical Psychologist based in New York City. She is the director and founder of MindClear Integrative Psychotherapy. She specializes in using a trauma-informed, humanistic approach for treating and advocating for people diagnosed with mental disorders. Dr. Hunter holds a BA in Psychology from the University of South Florida, an MA in Psychology from New York University, and a doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D) from Long Island University. She has been featured in National Geographic, BBC News, CNN, TalkSpace, and Parents magazine. She is also the author of the book Trauma and Madness in Mental Health Services.
Clinical PsychologistIt's very individualized. It's hard to generalize. However, I think a big precipitating factor is increased stress, anxiety, and fear. That's probably the first warning sign for the person subjectively. They might start having strange sensations or ideas in their head. If other people are starting to express concern about their behavior, or things that they are saying, it would be probably wise to take heed. A person might start acting erratically or start to talk about things that don't seem to make sense, or don't seem to be based in reality, but it's not full-blown. - QuestionHow can you help someone who is schizophrenic?Noel Hunter, Psy.DDr. Noel Hunter is a Clinical Psychologist based in New York City. She is the director and founder of MindClear Integrative Psychotherapy. She specializes in using a trauma-informed, humanistic approach for treating and advocating for people diagnosed with mental disorders. Dr. Hunter holds a BA in Psychology from the University of South Florida, an MA in Psychology from New York University, and a doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D) from Long Island University. She has been featured in National Geographic, BBC News, CNN, TalkSpace, and Parents magazine. She is also the author of the book Trauma and Madness in Mental Health Services.
Clinical PsychologistIf you're living with anybody who is struggling in any kind of intense way, hopefully you have already established when they were in a more rational state what you can do to best support them. If you haven't, then you support them in the best way you can, while also making sure that you're taking care of yourself. If you're not taking care of yourself, or you're trying to rescue somebody, it's going to be disastrous for everyone involved. The best thing you can do is be supportive, as best you can, within your own limitations and make sure you're taking care of yourself. Reach out to whatever support is needed to help that person if your limits have been reached. - QuestionWhat kind of therapy is used to treat schizophrenia?
Klare Heston, LCSWKlare Heston is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker based in Cleveland, Ohio. With experience in academic counseling and clinical supervision, Klare received her Master of Social Work from the Virginia Commonwealth University in 1983. She also holds a 2-Year Post-Graduate Certificate from the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, as well as certification in Family Therapy, Supervision, Mediation, and Trauma Recovery and Treatment (EMDR).
Licensed Social WorkerMedication is the most used intervention. Social support groups are also effective, as is education. Remember, Schizophrenia is a condition, it does not define the person. A person is first and foremost a human being with interests and needs.
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References
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4568-schizophrenia#diagnosis-and-tests
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4568-schizophrenia#diagnosis-and-tests
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/schizophrenia/treatment/
- ↑ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/schizophrenia/treatment/
- ↑ https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/ect
- ↑ https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Treatments/Psychosocial-Treatments
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/helping-someone-with-schizophrenia.htm
- ↑ https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Treatment/Psychosocial-Treatments
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2632540/
- ↑ https://myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/Pages/conditions.aspx?hwid=aa48198
- ↑ https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-016-1183-0
- ↑ http://www.foodforthebrain.org/nutrition-solutions/schizophrenia-and-psychosis/action-plan-for-managing-schizophrenia.aspx
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201608/3-ways-aerobic-exercise-improves-schizophrenia-symptoms
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/sleep_hygiene.html
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/8-secrets-to-a-good-nights-sleep
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/prefrontal-nudity/201211/the-grateful-brain
About this article
Noel Hunter, Psy.D
Clinical Psychologist
This article was co-authored by Noel Hunter, Psy.D. Dr. Noel Hunter is a Clinical Psychologist based in New York City. She is the director and founder of MindClear Integrative Psychotherapy. She specializes in using a trauma-informed, humanistic approach for treating and advocating for people diagnosed with mental disorders. Dr. Hunter holds a BA in Psychology from the University of South Florida, an MA in Psychology from New York University, and a doctorate in Psychology (Psy.D) from Long Island University. She has been featured in National Geographic, BBC News, CNN, TalkSpace, and Parents magazine. She is also the author of the book Trauma and Madness in Mental Health Services. This article has been viewed 11,190 times.
Co-authors: 7
Updated: August 12, 2022
Views: 11,190
Article SummaryX
Living with schizophrenia can be challenging, but there are ways you can manage your symptoms and live a happy life. For example, if you haven't already, work with your doctor to lay out a treatment plan, which might include medication, psychotherapy, and support groups. While you follow your treatment plan, try to eat a healthy balanced diet, which will help your brain function and take the edge off your symptoms. You should also do some regular exercise that you enjoy, like cycling, walking, or swimming, which will help to boost your mood and keep your brain as healthy as possible. Although you might have trouble sleeping, try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule when you can, since this helps to reduce your symptoms. For more tips from our co-author, including how to involve your friends and family in your treatment plan, read on!
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