Many people do not know how to behave with people with schizophrenia. If a person suffers from this disease, you should behave with him in such a way as not to further aggravate the situation. With schizophrenia, there may be hallucinations, delusions, and confusion. The task of the patient’s loved ones is to minimize the occurrence of recurrent attacks. It is very important to be caring and understanding.
Features of hallucinations
Each person has an individual psyche. Some patients are afraid that they will laugh at their behavior, then they restrain their emotions. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine what state a person is in. Inappropriate mental manifestations are not difficult to understand: the patient can smile, conduct an internal dialogue with himself, chuckle without a good reason. If you observe such signs, you need to make it clear that you understand what is happening to the person and want to help him.
A relative or friend should not get angry, show aggression, or laugh - this will only irritate the patient.
Hallucinations are phenomena that can begin unnoticed. People feel as if they are being called by name. Some patients react to voices without aggression, others ask to be left alone - and this causes suffering. The third group of patients learns not to pay attention to alarming voices, but the problem in this case remains. If hallucinations become unbearable and very frequent, for example, the patient screams at night, struggles with imaginary forces, it is necessary to take more effective sedative measures. If the symptoms become too severe, the patient should be given a dose of an antipsychotic drug prescribed by the doctor.
What should you not do when talking to a patient?
There are actions that should not be taken during periods of mental exacerbation. You should not show that you are surprised by the patient's behavior. Another rule: don’t be scared, try not to convince a person that he is delirious, you cannot convince him of the insignificance of what is happening to him. It is important to show an adequate reaction towards the patient, and you should adhere to certain tactics of behavior. Try not to reproach the person, not to exaggerate, not to minimize the sensitivity of his perception. It is important to remember that people who hallucinate are convinced that they are experiencing reality. Try to give an emotional reaction to the patient’s condition. During attacks, different things can happen to a person: funny and comical, or, on the contrary, frightening. Try to support him. It is important to be interested in what the patient is experiencing at a particular moment, what exactly he hears and feels.
During attacks, try to protect the person by controlling what happens to him. A person who is sick must understand that he is safe. If hallucinations greatly disturb him, try not to interfere with the interaction with the voice that the patient hears. It is worth emphasizing once again: patients with schizophrenia have different personality traits. You can tell the person that you don't like listening to him, but be understanding of the situation: demonstrate that you still understand him. Make every effort to ensure that the patient feels safe, at least at a specific moment. You should not ask a person how to calm him down; this can negatively affect his mental state. To get rid of an attack, find a distracting activity for him yourself: you can offer him a walk, play some exciting food, have lunch.
Schizophrenics do not live long, is this true?
I haven’t heard this “wisdom” from anyone, I judge only by myself. Nerves, nerves, nerves, mental pain, daily breakdowns into a painful viscous state of despair.
How long do schizophrenics live on average? or other psychotics with serious diagnoses?
I know about the statistics of suicides and suicide attempts. But even without the act of suicide, I kill myself with negative emotions every single day.
How long, Lord?
I don't live, I exist. I'm almost gone. It's been like this for a long time, in this state.
As you wanted, you amused yourself all your life, drank with friends and cherished your wives all your life. Before leaving, I looked back - and what? “I dreamed everything, as if I hadn’t lived my whole life.”
Why grass?
A child surrounded by ridicule learns to be distrustful;
A child surrounded by shame learns to feel guilt;
. and only strong souls can break this circle. Falkor is still a child. don't you want to feel a different state?
Wikipedia says -
According to research, taking antipsychotics is associated with a higher mortality rate than in the population, and the relationship between the number of antipsychotics taken and mortality is statistically significant (with polytherapy, the risk of premature mortality increases). Antipsychotics are associated with cardiovascular and pulmonary impairment, which at least partly explains the increased risk of mortality.
The names of the characters have been changed.
The problem of confusion
When faced with such a problem, it is recommended to show care and respect for the patient. Accept the fact that a person does not have the same mindset as you, perceive his words as if he is now speaking an unfamiliar language, but do not try to contradict and claim that he is wrong. It is often impossible to grasp the meaning of what the patient says. If he is in a moderately calm state, do not worry, show restraint. When thinking is confused, you need to understand the general emotional state of the patient. If he is in a good mood and rejoices at something, try to rejoice with him. If necessary, you can touch on one of the topics that worries him, you can pay attention to one of his incoherent thoughts and try to give an answer to it. The main thing a person needs is support. Always look for techniques to help you adapt to the problems of confused thinking. If these symptoms recur frequently, it may be a sign of relapse. Consult your doctor; you may need to increase the dose of prescribed medications.
To help the patient, and not aggravate the situation, you need to pay attention to his problems. During attacks, the patient should be reassured; the reasons for his anger should be studied when he is in a calmer state. It happens that a person behaves provocatively: he can throw objects, shout and even disturb neighbors. To stop such attacks, you need to clearly tell him that if he does not stop, you will have to break up with him. Try to get him to agree to meet you halfway. You can say that if he stops, you will give him an interesting thing that he will simply be delighted with: try to intrigue and interest the person. If he listens to you, hand him the thing he has long dreamed of.
How to help a person during the interictal period
Schizophrenia is a special disease. Even after the exacerbation is eliminated, some symptoms will remain. Over time, patients become unemotional, they have no motivation to act and no interests. They are immersed in their own world and have little interest in anything.
The task of relatives during the interictal period is to preserve the social adaptation of such people as much as possible. It is necessary to encourage any physical activity, stimulate a person to take action, and ask for help. Most people suffering from schizophrenia can easily cope with simple physical work - washing and peeling vegetables, digging up a small plot of land, painting a fence, helping to clean a room.
Even despite the changes that are taking place, such people still have a need to communicate with other people, with the opposite sex. Therefore, you should not limit them in communicating with others. If you still have friends or acquaintances, you need to encourage communication with them.
It is necessary to take medications even during the interictal period. Even when the symptoms of a mental disorder are not very pronounced. In this way, you can slow down the course of the disease as much as possible and prevent the development of exacerbations. If a person refuses to take pills daily, then you can resort to long-acting medications. They are given as injections once every two to four weeks. The drug is gradually released and modified in the body, thereby maintaining its constant concentration in the blood.
Remember that schizophrenia is a chronic disorder. It is characterized by gradual progression, an increase in irreversible personal changes. But if you start adequate treatment in a timely manner and take it constantly, then you can significantly slow down the development of the disease. You can even prevent the occurrence of personality changes or reduce their severity. Treatment is especially effective in the first years of development of a mental disorder!
That is why it is necessary to monitor whether a person regularly takes prescribed medications and whether they tolerate them well. And if problems arise with therapy, you should definitely contact a psychiatrist.
Be sure to read the articles:
- Symptoms and signs of schizophrenia: simple about the complex.
- Schizophrenia: help yourself!
- about the author
- Recent publications
Anna Nikolenko (Zaykina)
The author is a practicing psychiatrist with 11 years of experience. Master of Medicine and compassionate doctor. More information about the author is on this page.
Actions during aggression
Relatives and friends are very worried when the patient behaves aggressively. Don’t be afraid ahead of time and immediately remember myths about psychopathic killers. If the person previously behaved normally and was not prone to violence, there is no need to worry. The patient may be aggressive, nervous, hot-tempered, but only at a specific moment, this does not mean that he will rush at you. The main rule when interacting with a patient is not to try to act as if you are putting pressure on him. A person should not feel that he is being driven into a trap, otherwise he may panic, break down and behave unpredictably. Correct behavior tactics are extremely important. If you behave correctly, you will be able to keep the situation under control. Try to avoid physical contact with a sick person: when indoors, leave free space for yourself so that you can always leave.
Who can provide communication therapy for schizophrenia?
It is impossible to fully apply this method without knowing about the syndromes of the disease and its consequences. Therefore, communication treatment can only be carried out by a psychiatrist. He can take into account the characteristics of the course of the disease, the patient’s temperament and his individual character traits.
After using this treatment method, patients gradually return to normal life, begin to go to work, and expand their circle of acquaintances and interests. The main thing is to overcome one’s own fears, because this is what a person experiences when there is rejection from the environment.
How to learn to accept mental illness?
If you see that the situation is out of your control and the patient does not agree to go to the meeting, it is recommended to take extreme measures - call the police. Few people will dare to take such a serious step, however, such a way out of the situation is sometimes necessary. You can ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.
In the modern world, people do not hesitate to talk about physical illnesses, for example, rheumatism or diabetes, but not everyone wants to talk about mental illnesses. There are many similarities between rheumatism, diabetes and mental illness. These diseases have their own manifestations, which either intensify or subside; such diseases manifest themselves in everyone to varying degrees. Comparing mental illness with rheumatism and diabetes makes it possible to understand the scale of problems we all have to face.
Refusal to take medications.
With schizophrenia, in addition to thinking and the emotional sphere, the patient’s critical attitude towards himself also suffers. Patients often ask the doctor to reduce the dosage of medications, and often they themselves “quietly” stop taking the medications. They motivate this with the words “I feel better.” It is not possible to influence the patient's decision through persuasion. The result of refusing to take medications is placement in a hospital. After discharge, the scenario repeats. What can you offer relatives?
Connection with others. Social interaction with someone who cares about you is the most effective way to relieve stress. This person may be a friend, family member, clergy member, or professional therapist. Exercise regularly. Physical activity reduces stress and releases endorphins, powerful chemicals in your brain that fuel your mood and make you feel good. Whether you exercise alone, with a friend, or with a loved one with schizophrenia, on most days you can do 30 minutes of activity, or, more simply, three 10-minute sessions.
In modern psychiatry, there are prolongation drugs - medications that are prescribed by injection once or twice a month. They are as effective as tablets and are more convenient to take.
There is such a known case: a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia, a young beautiful woman, after discharge, independently stopped taking medications. Over the course of a month, there was a sharp deterioration in his condition: delusions of religious content, aggression towards relatives and, as a result, forced hospitalization. This was repeated until a certain point, until something changed her attitude towards treatment. Perhaps it was the reluctance to end up in the hospital again. Maybe the endless conversations with the doctor had an impact. But the following happened: she began to regularly take medications and visit her doctor. The woman directed her irrepressible energy to help homeless people. She picked them up on the street, gave them food and shelter in her home for a while, then accompanied them to a shelter for the needy. She spoke enthusiastically about her charitable activities. This patient was never admitted to the hospital again.
Aim for 30 minutes of activity on most days, or, if it's easier, three 10-minute sessions. Eat a healthy diet. What you eat has a direct impact on how you feel. Minimize sugar and refined carbohydrates, foods that quickly lead to a crash in mood and energy. Increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids from fatty fish, fish oil, walnuts and flaxseeds to improve your focus, energy and perspective. The same nutritional tips can help manage your loved one's symptoms.
Acceptance of practice. Instead of dwelling on the injustice of your loved one's diagnosis, accept your feelings, even the negative ones. This can have a significant impact on your ability to manage stress and balance your moods.
