Schizophrenia is difficult condition to live with. It can also be very dangerous, as was proven by the case of a recent incident where a paranoid schizophrenic man fatally attacked another man. (The attacker has been sentenced to incarceration for life.)
However, not all paranoid schizophrenias are that destructive. You should know that there are others who are harmless. It is important that you remove your stigma about the mental condition because it will only cloud your judgment. If your love one has this kind of mental condition, it will not be easy but you have to be strong because it is not the end of the world. The first thing that you should do is learn about the illness and the difficulties that come with it. Here are some tips that you can consider to help your love one who has schizophrenia:
1. Educate yourself and the people around you
Not all people have a firm knowledge when it comes to mental disorders such as schizophrenia. It is therefore that you learn more about this mental condition and the treatments it requires so that you will know what to do and what to expect.
2. Empower your patients
You have to empower your loved ones but not to the point of spoiling them or overdoing it. As much as you can, encourage independence so that your loved ones knows that you trust them. Your love and support will remind the person that his or her situation is not beyond hope.
3. Lessen stress
Stress can stir schizophrenia symptoms and episodes. You need to lessen the stress in your house by creating a structured system. Never pressure underestimate or criticize your love ones with schizophrenia.
