Schizophrenia

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Schizophrenia (skiz-oh-FRE-nee-ah) is a serious mental condition that affects how your brain works. This illness may change how you think, feel and behave. You may not be able to know what is real and what is not real. Your thoughts may not be clear, or jump from one subject to another. These symptoms may go away for some time only to come back again later.

Caregivers do not exactly know what causes schizophrenia. Having another family member with schizophrenia, stress, and use of harmful substances, such as amphetamines, may put you at a higher risk of getting this disease. Certain signs and symptoms must be true for a person to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. These include seeing or hearing things that are not real, and relationship problems with other people. There is no cure for schizophrenia but symptoms may be treated with medicines and other therapies.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

• Do not drink alcohol while taking medicine for schizophrenia.
  
  
• Do not use any medicine other than what was given by your caregiver.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

What can I do to feel better?

• Do not stop taking your medicine: Tell your caregivers if you have any problems or questions about your medicines.
  
  
• Do not stop your therapies: It is normal to have doubts or feel discomfort with your therapy. Tell your caregivers if you are not comfortable or have questions about your therapies.
  
  
• Regular sleep is very important: Try to get 6 to 8 hours of sleep each night. Tell your caregiver if you are not able to sleep, or if you are sleeping too much.
  
  
• Manage your stress: Stress may slow healing and lead to illness. Learn ways to control stress, such as relaxation, deep breathing, and music. Talk to someone about things that upset you.

For support and more information:

Schizophrenia is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have schizophrenia is hard. You and those close to you may feel angry, sad, or frightened. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join a support group with other people who have schizophrenia. Ask your caregiver for contact information for support groups. Contact the following for more information:

• National Alliance for the Mentally Ill
  Colonial Place Three, 2107 Wilson Blvd, Suite 300
  Arlington , VA 22201
  Phone: 1- 703 - 524-7600
  Phone: 1- 800 - 950-6264
  Web Address: http://www.nami.org
  

• National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression
  60 Cutter Mill Road, Suite 404
  Great Neck , NY 11021
  Phone: 1- 800 - 829-8289
  Web Address: www.narsad.org
  

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Public Information & Communication Branch
  6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663
  Bethesda , MD 20892-9663
  Phone: 1- 301 - 443-4513
  Phone: 1- 866 - 615-6464
  Web Address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You feel that you are having symptoms of schizophrenia. The sooner you see your caregiver, the easier it is to treat schizophrenia.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your illness or your medicine.
  
  
• You are not able to sleep well, or are sleeping more than usual.
  
  
• You cannot eat or are eating more than the usual.
  
  
• You cannot make it to your next meeting with your caregiver.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• You think about killing yourself (suicide) or someone else (homicide).
  
  
• You have a rash, swelling, or trouble breathing after taking your medicine.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Learn more about Schizophrenia (Aftercare Instructions)