Skip to content Admissions Search for:. Can Schizophrenics Live Normal Lives? Schizophrenia Symptoms and Diagnosis It is not possible to live a normal life if schizophrenic symptoms go ignored, undiagnosed, and untreated.
There are certain factors that make some people more likely to see the best improvement in function, such as: Functioning well before the onset of schizophrenia Being older when the symptoms first began Not having a family history of schizophrenia Having symptoms begin suddenly, rather than beginning slowly Having a higher IQ While these factors seem to contribute to greater success in recovery from schizophrenia, anyone with this condition can improve and live normally with good treatment.
The Importance of Residential Treatment for Schizophrenia Symptoms of schizophrenia can be very troubling and disruptive. Medication to Manage Symptoms The most important part of treatment for schizophrenia is medication. Begin Your Recovery Journey Today. Therapy to Make Positive Changes Medication is so important to managing schizophrenia, but therapy is also crucial for learning to live with this disease.
Social and Family Support Medication and therapy are the traditional and necessary elements of treatment for schizophrenia, but support cannot be overlooked for helping patients live with this illness. Vocational and Social Services While treatment and support can help successfully manage symptoms of schizophrenia, patients still may be left with deficits in function.
Self-Care and Management at Home Once treatment ends in a residential setting and patients are set up with social services and sources of social support, self-care becomes important. This may mean taking advantage of socializing opportunities whenever possible, but also more specific strategies, including: Managing stress with relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or meditation Getting regular exercise Eating nutritious foods and maintaining a healthy weight Getting enough sleep Maintaining good overall physical health Avoiding drugs and alcohol Getting treatment for and managing any other mental illnesses, like depression Asking for help when needed.
Call For a Confidential Phone Assessment. Email Us. Ongoing, Lifelong Treatment One of the most important things that people with schizophrenia must understand about living a normal life is that this is a lifelong disease. Is Schizophrenia Affecting Your Family? Get Help Today Is Schizophrenia Genetic? Can Schizophrenia Be Cured? Does Schizophrenia Run in Families? Further Reading. Related Blogs.
July 15, March 31, Learn More. Take the first step. We're here to help. Call for a free confidential assessment. We're here to listen. How Can We Help? Contact Us. Thank you for your request for information.
It may also be useful to read the information leaflet that comes with the medicine about possible interactions with other drugs or supplements. It's worth checking with your healthcare team if you plan to take any over-the-counter remedies, such as painkillers, or any nutritional supplements, as these can sometimes interfere with your medicine. As well as monitoring your mental health, your healthcare team and GP should monitor your physical health.
A healthy lifestyle, including having a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and taking regular exercise, is good for you and can reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
You should also try to avoid too much stress and have a regular sleep pattern. You should have a check-up with a GP at least once a year to monitor your risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
This will include recording your weight, checking your blood pressure, and having any appropriate blood tests. Rates of smoking in people with schizophrenia are 3 times higher than in the general population.
If you're a smoker, you're at a higher risk of developing cancer, heart disease and stroke. Stopping smoking has clear physical health benefits, but it's also been shown to improve the mental health of people with schizophrenia. Find out how stopping smoking can improve your mental health. Research has shown you're up to 4 times more likely to quit smoking if you use NHS support as well as stop smoking medicines, such as patches, gum or inhalators. If you take antipsychotic medicines and want to stop smoking, it's very important to talk to your GP or psychiatrist before you stop.
The dosage of your prescription drugs may need to be monitored and the amount you have to take could be reduced. While alcohol and drugs may provide short-term relief from your symptoms, they're likely to make your symptoms worse in the long run. Alcohol can cause depression and psychosis, while illegal drugs may make your schizophrenia worse. Drugs and alcohol can also react badly with antipsychotic medicines. If you're currently using drugs or alcohol and finding it hard to stop, ask your care co-ordinator or GP for help.
In the course of your treatment for schizophrenia, you'll be involved with many different services. Some are accessed through referral from a GP, others through the local authority. Avoid too much stress, including work-related stress. If you're employed, you may be able to work shorter hours or in a more flexible way. Under the Equality Act , all employers must make reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, including people diagnosed with schizophrenia or other mental illnesses.
Several organisations provide support, training and advice for people with schizophrenia who wish to continue working. Your community mental health team is a good first point of contact to find out what services and support are available for you. Mental health charities such as Mind or Rethink Mental Illness are also excellent sources of information on training and employment. If you're unable to work as a result of your mental illness, you're entitled to financial support, such as Incapacity Benefit.
Many people find it helpful to meet other people with the same experiences for mutual support and to share ideas. It's also an important reminder that you're not alone. Charities and support groups allow individuals and families to share experiences and coping strategies, campaign for better services, and provide support.
There are also other places that offer support to people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Even if you do not have a job or are unable to work, it's still important to go out and do everyday things and give a structure to your week. Many people regularly go to a day hospital, day centre or community mental health centre.
Just as they deserve honest answers that they can trust, so do families that are facing schizophrenia. Nelson oversees the mental health and addiction treatment programs at FHE Health, so can speak with authority about the impact of schizophrenia on quality of life, function and other factors. When we put this question before Dr. Nelson was referring were the severe symptoms that can accompany a diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Nelson said. What that means is the earlier the intervention and treatment, the better the outcome for everyone concerned.
What might that process look like? Here is how Dr. Nelson answered that question:. A patient who is willing to take medication, participate in counseling and access services as part of their treatment can stabilize and be at a better level of functioning.
Patients often present to an inpatient treatment when they are off medications, have had legal or other consequences of poor decision-making and are not able to care for themselves. Treatment for schizophrenia typically involves a period of stabilization voluntary or involuntary in a psychiatric unit, Dr. During this time of inpatient treatment, the patient should begin receiving a combination of medication, therapy and other supports…. Antipsychotic medications like Risperdal, Abilify and others help to ease the delusions and hallucinations of schizophrenia and improve treatment outcomes.
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