The love and support of family can be one of the cornerstones of treatment and recovery. You can help your loved one find the right treatment, cope with symptoms, and work towards their goals. It can be a tough road, but you don’t have to do it alone. Some general suggestions and resources are below.
HOW YOU CAN HELP YOUR LOVED ONE
- Accept the illness and its challenges
- Learn as much as you can about the illness and how to help them manage it
- Take care of yourself, don’t let yourself be consumed by caring for this one person
- Set realistic expectations of your loved one. These may change as recovery progresses.
- Provide options—give the person some control over their situation, they may prefer one doctor over another.
- Encourage your loved one to take their meds regularly.
- Watch for side effects or drug interactions, these are common reasons people stop taking their meds.
- Watch for signs of relapse and have an emergency plan in place.
HOW I CAN HELP YOU
- Learn more about my therapy for parents and family members of people with schizophrenia
- Check out my Resources and Information to find books, support, and other helpful info for families of people with schizophrenia.