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.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Learn why you take each medicine. Ask your caregiver for information about your medicine. Do not use any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver. If you are taking medicine that makes you drowsy, do not drive or use heavy equipment.

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

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Treatment settings: You may need to continue your treatments after you leave the hospital. Your caregiver may want to treat you in the following programs:

• Crisis residential program: This is a program where you live in a home-care facility. Caregivers work in these homes just like in hospitals. This program is helpful especially when you are having a relapse (your symptoms return).
  
  
• Day treatment program: This is also called DTP. This program provides for a place with a sense of belonging and friendship. They have fun things to do and a chance to learn and practice skills. This also provides long-term support so you may have an improved quality of life.
  
  
• Outpatient program: An outpatient program is when you meet regularly with your therapist. You may meet one-to-one with your therapist, or you might meet with your therapist in a group.
  
  
• Partial care program: A partial care program is also called day hospitalization or partial hospitalization. This is a group therapy and lasts 4 to 6 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week. It may help you avoid going into the hospital or get out of the hospital sooner. It may also help you get symptoms under control and avoid a relapse (return of symptoms).

Psychosocial therapy: Your caregiver may want you to have any of these therapies:

• Assertive community treatment: This treatment is also called ACT. A team of caregivers and support groups in your own community help you with your therapy.
  
  
• Cognitive behavior therapy: This therapy helps you to change your behavior. It will help you handle symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
  
  
• Family psychoeducation: Your family will be part of your therapy.
  
  
• Social skills training: This trains you how to get along with other people.
  
  
• Supported employment: This is a form of therapy where you are placed into a job that fits you. It will help give you independence and self-confidence.
  
  
• Teaching illness-management skills: This type of therapy teaches you what you can do to help your disease.

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.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page