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Throughout recorded history, the disorder we now know as schizophrenia has been a source of bewilderment. Those suffering from the illness once were thought to be possessed by demons and were feared, tormented, exiled or locked up forever. In spite of advances in the understanding of its causes, course and treatment, schizophrenia continues to confound both health professionals and the public. It is easier for the average person to cope with the idea of cancer than it is to understand the odd behavior, hallucinations or strange ideas of the person with schizophrenia. As with many mental disorders, the causes of schizophrenia are poorly understood. Friends and family commonly are shocked, afraid or angry when they learn of the diagnosis. People often imagine a person with schizophrenia as being more violent or out-of-control than a person who has another kind of serious mental illness. But these kinds of prejudices and misperceptions can be readily corrected. Expectations become more realistic as schizophrenia is better understood as a disorder that requires ongoing -often lifetime -- treatment. Demystification of the illness, along with recent insights from neuroscience and neuropsychology, gives new hope for finding more effective treatments for an illness that previously carried a grave prognosis. Schizophrenia is characterized by a broad range of unusual behavior that cause profound disruption in the lives of people suffering from the condition, as well as in the lives of the people around them. Schizophrenia strikes without regard to gender, race, social class or culture.
Social isolation and withdrawal Irrational, bizarre or odd statements or beliefs Increased paranoia or questioning others' motivations Becoming more emotionless Hostility or suspiciousness Increasing reliance on drugs or alcohol (in an attempt to self-medicate) Lack of motivation Speaking in a strange manner unlike themselves Inappropriate laughter Insomnia or oversleeping Deterioration in their personal appearance and hygiene
While there is no guarantee that one or more of these symptoms will lead to schizophrenia, a number of them occurring together should be cause for concern, especially if it appears that the individual is getting worse over time. This is the ideal time to act to help the person (even if it turns out not to be schizophrenia).
Schizophrenia Symptoms
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by at least 2of the following symptoms, for at least one month:
Delusions Hallucinations Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence) Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior A set of three negative symptoms (a "flattening" of one's emotions, alogia, avolition; see below)
Only one of the above symptoms is required to make the diagnosis of schizophrenia if the person's delusions are bizarre or if the hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.
Negative Symptoms Affective flattening - The person's range of emotional expression is clearly diminished; poor eye contract; reduced body language
Alogia - A poverty of speech, such as brief, empty replies Avolition Inability to initiate and persist in goal-directed activities (such as school or work)
Although the above symptoms must be present for at least one (1) month, there also needs to be continuous signs of the disturbance that persist for at least six (6) months. During this period, the signs of the disorder may be present in a milder form, for instance as just odd beliefs or unusual perceptual experiences. During this 6 month period, at least two of the above criteria must be met, or only the criteria of Negative Symptoms must be present -- if even just in milder form. For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset of the symptoms (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational achievement). Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features have been considered as alternative explanations for the symptoms and have been ruled out. The disturbance must also not be due to the direct physiological effects of use or abuse of a substance (e.g., alcohol, drugs, medications) or a general medical condition.
If there is a history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder, the additional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least a month (or less if successfully treated).
Paranoid schizophrenia -- a person feels extremely suspicious, persecuted, grandiose, or experiences a combination of these emotions. Disorganized schizophrenia -- a person is often incoherent but may not have delusions. Catatonic schizophrenia -- a person is withdrawn, mute, negative and often assumes very unusual postures. Residual schizophrenia -- a person is no longer delusion or hallucinating, but has no motivation or interest in life. These symptoms can be most devastating.
The kinds of symptoms that are utilized to make a diagnosis ofschizophrenia differ between affected people and may change from one year to the next within the same person as the disease progresses. Different subtypes of schizophrenia are defined according to the most significant and predominant characteristics present in each person at each point in time. The result is that one person may be diagnosed with different subtypes over the course of his illness.
health professionals refer to this particular symptom as blunted or flat affect. Additionally, these people may have an inappropriately jocular or giddy appearance, as in the case of a patient who chuckles inappropriately through a funeral service or other solemn occasion. People diagnosed with this subtype also may have significant impairment in their ability to communicate effectively. At times, their speech can become virtually incomprehensible, due to disorganized thinking. In such cases, speech is characterized by problems with the utilization and ordering of words in conversational sentences, rather than with difficulties of enunciation or articulation. In the past, the term hebephrenic has been used to describe this subtype.
Developmental neurobiologists have found that schizophrenia may be a developmental disorder resulting when neurons form inappropriate connections during fetal development. These errors may lie dormant until puberty, when changes in the brain that occur normally during this critical stage of maturation interact adversely with the faulty connections. This research has spurred efforts to identify prenatal factors that may have some bearing on the apparent developmental abnormality. In other studies, investigators using brain-imaging techniques have found evidence of early biochemical changes that may precede the onset of disease symptoms, prompting examination of the neural circuits that are most likely to be involved in producing those symptoms. Meanwhile, scientists working at the molecular level are exploring the genetic basis for abnormalities in brain development and in the neurotransmitter systems regulating brain function.
Most people who have schizophrenia do not experience a complete remission of symptoms. However, this disorder can be managed by a combination of psychosocial therapies and medications. A psychiatrist, who attends to the biological or medical needs of the patient, directs the treatment of schizophrenia. Social workers and other mental health professionals devise and supervise a plan to address the socialization and educational components of the treatment. Difficulties in social skills are addressed by involvement in group treatment and planned group activities that include appropriate behavioral interaction and conversational topics. To be better able to cope with day-to-day living, the patient learns or re-learns more productive, acceptable behavior. Other aspects of treatment deal with personal care, living skills, managing money and other practical matters. In many areas, people who have schizophrenia are able to receive assistance from local community mental health facilities and possibly qualify for a case manager. A case manager is someone who helps to ensure that the patient can get to appointments and group activities, monitors the progress of the patient and helps him apply for other available assistance. The case manager may become a very important resource for the schizophrenic patient, especially for cases in which there is no family member available to become involved. The case manager may come to serve as the patients major advocate in dealing with landlords, social service agencies and utility companies. The case manager is trained to know local, state and federal programs that may be accessed to meet the particular needs of each client. The specific programs available at community mental health facilities differ from one facility to another, but most offer some helpful programs. The importance of involvement in regular activities cannot be overemphasized. This part of the treatment addresses the social and interactional skills that are necessary for everyday life. When these services are provided in an environment that the patient views as safe and nonthreatening, the opportunity exists for the patient to develop greater trust in others. Such treatment can help the patient to re-integrate into society more comfortably. While not all schizophrenic patients will require the services of a case manager, the vast majority are encouraged to follow a psychosocial treatment plan as well as the medical and drug plan supervised by their physician.
Schizophrenia Treatment
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Schizophrenia usually first appears in a person during their late teens or throughout their twenties. It affects more men than women, and is considered a life-long condition which rarely is "cured," but rather treated. The primary treatment for schizophrenia and similar thought disorders is medication. Unfortunately, compliance with a medication regimen is often one of the largest problems associated with the ongoing treatment of schizophrenia. Because people who live with this disorder often go off of their medication during periods
throughout their lives, the repercussions of this loss of treatment are acutely felt not only by the individual, but by their family and friends as well. Successful treatment of schizophrenia, therefore, depends upon a life-long regimen of both drug and psychosocial, support therapies. While the medication helps control the psychosis associated with schizophrenia (e.g., the delusions and hallucinations), it cannot help the person find a job, learn to be effective in social relationships, increase the individual's coping skills, and help them learn to communicate and work well with others. Poverty, homelessness, and unemployment are often associated with this disorder, but they don't have to be. If the individual finds appropriate treatment and sticks with it, a person with schizophrenia can lead a happy and successful life. But the initial recovery from the first symptoms of schizophrenia can be an extremely lonely experience. Individuals coping with the onset of schizophrenia for the first time in their lives require all the support that their families, friends, and communities can provide. With such support, determination, and understanding, someone who has schizophrenia can learn to cope and live with it for their entire life. But stability with this disorder means complying with the treatment plan set up between the person and their therapist or doctor, and maintaining the balance provided for by the medication and therapy. A sudden stopping of treatment will most often lead to a relapse of the symptoms associated with schizophrenia and then a gradual recovery as treatment is reinstated.
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is not the treatment of choice for someone with schizophrenia. Used as an adjunct to a good medication plan, however, psychotherapy can help maintain the individual on their medication, learn needed social skills, and support the person's weekly goals and activities in their community. This may include advice, reassurance, education, modeling, limit setting, and reality testing with the therapist. Encouragement in setting small goals and reaching them can often be helpful. People with schizophrenia often have a difficult time performing ordinary life skills such as cooking and personal grooming as well as communicating with others in the family and at work. Therapy or rehabilitation therapy can help a person regain the confidence to take care of themselves and live a fuller life. Group therapy, combined with drugs, produces somewhat better results than drug treatment alone, particularly with schizophrenic outpatients. Positive results are more likely to be obtained when group therapy focuses on real-life plans, problems, and relationships; on social and work roles and interaction; on cooperation with drug therapy and discussion of its side effects; or on some practical recreational or work activity. This supportive group therapy can be especially helpful in decreasing social isolation and increasing reality testing (Long, 1996). Family therapy can significantly decrease relapse rates for the schizophrenic family member. In high-stress families, schizophrenic patients given standard aftercare relapse 50-60% of the time in the first year out of hospital. Supportive family therapy can reduce this relapse rate to below 10 percent. This therapy encourages the family to convene a family meeting whenever an issue arises, in order to discuss and specify the exact nature of the problem, to list and consider alternative solutions, and to select and implement the consensual best solution. (Long, 1996).
Medications
Schizophrenia appears to be a combination of a thought disorder, mood disorder, and anxiety disorder. The medical management of schizophrenia often requires a combination of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and antianxiety medication. One of the biggest challenges of treatment is that many people don't keep taking the medications prescribed for the disorder. After the first year of treatment, most people will discontinue their use of medications, especially ones where the side effects are difficult to tolerate. As a recent National Institute of Mental Health Study indicated, regardless of the drug, three-quarters of all patients stop taking their medications. They stopped the schizophrenia medications either because they did not make them better or they had intolerable side effects. The discontinuation rates remained high when they were switched to a new drug, but patients stayed on clozapine about 11 months, compared with only three months for Seroquel, Risperdal or Zyprexa, which are far more heavily marketed -- and dominate sales. Because of findings such as this, it's generally recommended that someone with schizophrenia begin their treatment with a drug such asclozapine (clozapine is often significantly cheaper than other antipsychotic medications). Clozapine (also known as clozaril) has been shown to be more effective than many newer antipsychotics as well. Antipsychotic medications help to normalize the biochemical imbalances that cause schizophrenia. They are also important in reducing the likelihood of relapse. There are two major types of antipsychotics, traditional and new antipsychotics. Traditional antipsychotics effectively control the hallucinations, delusions, and confusion of schizophrenia. This type of antipsychotic drug, such as haloperidol, chlorpromazine, and fluphenazine, has been available since the mid-1950s. These drugs primarily block dopamine receptors and are effective in treating the "positive" symptoms of schizophrenia. Side effects for antipsychotics may cause a patient to stop taking them. However, it is important to talk with your doctor before making any changes in medication since many side effects can be controlled. Be sure to weigh the risks against the potential benefits that antipsychotic drugs can provide. Mild side effects: dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, drowsiness and dizziness. These side affects usually disappear a few weeks after the person starts treatment.
More serious side effects: trouble with muscle control, muscle spasms or cramps in the head and neck, fidgeting or pacing, tremors and shuffling of the feet (much like those affecting people with Parkinson's disease). Side effects due to prolonged use of traditional antipsychotic medications: facial ticks, thrusting and rolling of the tongue, lip licking, panting and grimacing. There are many newer antipsychotic medications available since the 1990's, including Seroquel, Risperdal, Zyprexa and Clozaril. Some of these medications may work on both the serotonin and dopamine receptors, thereby treating both the "positive" and "negative"symptoms of schizophrenia. Other newer antipsychotics are referred to as atypical antipsychotics, because of how they affect the dopamine receptors in the brain. These newer medications may be more effective in treating a broader range of symptoms of schizophrenia, and some have fewer side effects than traditional antipsychotics. Learn more about the atypical antipsychotics used to help treat schizophrenia.
Self-Help
Self-help methods for the treatment of this disorder are often overlooked by the medical profession because very few professionals are involved in them. Adjunctive community support groups in concurrence with psychotherapy is usually beneficial to most people who suffer from schizophrenia. Caution should be utilized, however, if the person's symptoms aren't under control of a medication. People with this disorder often have a difficult time in social situations, therefore a support group should not be considered as an initial treatment option. As the person progresses in treatment, a support group may be a useful option to help the person make the transition back into daily social life. Another use of self-help is for the family members of someone who lives with schizophrenia. The stress and hardships causes of having a loved one with this disorder are often overwhelming and difficult to cope with for a family. Family members should use a support group within their community to share common experiences and learn about ways to best deal with their frustrations, feelings of helplessness, and anger.
Your daughter has schizophrenia, I told the woman. Oh, my God, anything but that, she replied. Why couldnt she have leukemia or some other disease instead? But if she had leukemia she might die, I pointed out. Schizophrenia is a much more treatable disease. The woman looked sadly at me, then down at the floor. She spoke softly. I would still prefer that my daughter had leukemia.
This book is a product of a thousand such conversations, writes research psychiatrist and schizophrenia specialist E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., in Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Patients And Providers. Getting a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be devastating. Families and patients alike think theres no hope. What follows may be shock, shame and confusion. But schizophrenia isnt a death sentence or an inevitable descent into psychosis and violence, as some movies and shows would have you believe. Even though it may be terrifying, receiving a proper diagnosis is a good thing: Its one step closer to the right treatment. Earlier treatment and shorter duration of untreated psychosis is associated with better treatment response, less likelihood of relapse and better clinical outcome, said Sandra De Silva, Ph.D, psychosocial treatment codirector and outreach director at the Staglin Music Festival Center for the Assessment and Prevention of Prodromal States (CAPPS) at UCLA, departments of psychology and psychiatry. Heres a look at what effective treatment for schizophrenia entails, how you can manage the disorder and what to do if you notice early warning signs.
Treatment of Schizophrenia
The longer an illness is left untreated, the greater the disruption to the persons ability to study, work, make friends and interact comfortably with others, De Silva said. A combination of treatments is best for individuals with schizophrenia. Medication is the mainstay of treatment, used to minimize hallucinations, help the individual think more clearly, focus on reality and sleep better, according to Dawn Velligan, Ph.D, professor and co-director of the Division of Schizophrenia and Related Disorders at the Department of Psychiatry, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio . However, decades of research have shown that psychosocial treatments are also important in improving symptoms and quality of life, she added.
Page: 1 2 3 4View All Team-based care also is pivotal. A treatment team may include a psychiatrist, licensed therapist and case manager. There are many other professionals who may help, including psychiatric nurses, vocational therapists and rehabilitation therapists. When building a team, Robert E. Drake, M.D., Ph.D, professor of psychiatry and of community and family medicine at Dartmouth Medical School, suggests keeping in mind people who will:
Serve as the primary contact person to help patients navigate through the system Help patients achieve functional goals (e.g., finding an apartment and job) Ensure patients get good medical care, understand medication options and learn to use them appropriately Treat co-occurring problems. Substance abuse is the most common co-occurring disorder in individuals with schizophrenia, but physical health conditions also may be present. Try to find the appropriate professional to treat the co-occurring issues. When looking for a psychiatrist, search out professionals who specialize in schizophrenia. Ask other families or professionals, like your primary care physician, write Irene S. Levine, Ph.D, and Jerome Levine, M.D., in Schizophrenia for Dummies. You can find families at the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) by checking out your local affiliate. Also, check with the psychiatry or psychology department of a local university or medical school. Visit two to three different providers and ask them about available resources, their outcomes, their team (i.e., do they have a typical team of
professionals they work with? How do they put together a team?) and what they can do for you, Dr. Drake said.
Cognitive Remediation/Related Treatments. While hallucinations and delusions can be devastating, it is thecognitive decline problems with memory, attention, problem solving, processing information that complicates daily life. Because medication doesnt treat problems with attention, concentration and memory, treatments that address these issues are vital. Cognitive remediation strives to strengthen patients cognitive skills, helping them pay attention, remember, process information and plan better, Velligan said. This is usually done with cognitive exercises and compensatory behaviors (things like checklists that help individuals compensate for memory loss). For instance, Demian Rose, M.D., Ph.D, medical director of the University of California, San Francisco PART Program and director of the UCSF Early Psychosis Clinic, and his research team have developed a cognitive training software package thats shown good results. Velligan and colleagues use environmental supports tools that help manage the day-to-day, like checklists, signs, pill boxes and alarms in their program, Cognitive Adaptation Training, to bypass cognitive impairments and help with taking medication, grooming, housekeeping, managing money and participating in leisure activities.
Family psychoeducation. Families may be confused about schizophrenia and what they can do to help their loved one. Supportive families can be a godsend for people with schizophrenia. They function as de facto case managers, filling in the gaps of the fragmented system that exists in many communities, Irene Levine said. Family psychoeducation gives families an accurate understanding of schizophrenia and teaches them how to help. Individual psychotherapy. This can take many forms, such as a cognitive-behavioral approach. Dr. Rose recommends individual therapy for various reasons. For one, by the time most individuals have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, they have many problems with relationships. Also, individual therapy gives patients a better understanding of their own symptoms. I see so much suffering and misunderstanding purely because no one has told (patients) whats going on, Dr. Rose said. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). Though using CBT to treat schizophrenia is fairly new, research has shown that it holds promise, according to Dr. Rose. In addition to grasping their symptoms, CBT helps individuals set goals, form new ways of relating to people, examine and challenge persistent beliefs and cope with hallucinations. Supported employment. This program helps individuals find a job based on preferences and abilities and usually assists with training and any issues that may come up on the job. For ideas on what questions to ask, this handbook (in PDF format) offers a detailed questionnaire.
Become an active participant. Watching your treatment or the treatment of a loved one on the sidelines doesnt help anyone. Taking an active role leads to more successful treatment. Educate yourself. Whether you or your loved one has schizophrenia, educate yourself about the various drugs and potential side effects, Irene Levine said. Invest the time in learning everything you can about these medications. But, if you come across personal experiences (whether the accounts concern pharmacological or psychosocial treatments), keep in mind that this is an idiosyncratic experience, Dr. Drake said. So dont rule out a certain medication or treatment because of negative information but do raise the concerns to your provider and do more research. Be sure its a partnership. Because finding the best balance is already a hard process, not having a provider you trust can make it even harder, Dr. Drake said. Make sure that your provider welcomes a collaborative relationship with patients. Create a medication list. Keep an updated list of your medications handy. Your list should include all medications taken, the length of time they were taken, the dose and the adverse effects, Dr. Torrey writes in Surviving Schizophrenia. Create a wish list. Another excellent tip from Dr. Torrey: Write out a list of things you wish you could do but that schizophrenia prevents you from doing. What did you do prior to your illness that you wish you could do again? On your list, you might write read a book, go into a crowded room without panicking, hold a job at least half-time, have a boyfriend, Dr. Torrey writes. Essentially, this list includes goals youd like to attain with the help of medication and other treatments. The list serves as a reminder of why youre taking medication and why youre open to trying new medications to improve symptoms, he writes. Take medication as prescribed. Do you forget to take your medication? You dont want (the prescribing physician) to raise the dose because you forgot to take the pills half the time, Velligan said. Have you decided to stop taking them altogether? Speak up. Maybe youve stopped taking your medication because it just doesnt feel right. Maybe youre experiencing bothersome side effects. Communicate with doctors on an ongoing basis to make sure that the medications are safe and effective, Levine said. Consumers and doctors constantly need to evaluate medication regimens and weigh the pros and cons of any treatment. Create reminders. No one is very good at remembering to take every dose of medication, Velligan said. To stay on track, find reminders that work for you. Velligan suggests pill containers, voice alarms, signs and checklists.
Minimizing Relapse
A relapse occurs when symptoms worsen or reappear. Here are some ways you can reduce your risk of relapse:
Stay on medication. Medication is the cornerstone of treatment, and discontinuing use without informing your physician is dangerous. Talk to the team. Ask your psychiatrist, case manager, therapist and other providers youre working with how to avoid a relapse. They should have many preventative tips. Be aware of warning signs. Watch out for general warning signs, unique-to-you precursors and changes in sleeping and eating patterns. For instance, bad relationships may trigger a relapse for one person, whereas excessive sleep and desire for isolation do for another. If a relapse happens, know what to do. Talk with your providers about the best ways to manage a relapse should it happen. Stay in regular contact with clinicians. Others will usually pick up on the warning signs before you do, so even when symptoms are in remission and function is good, stay in contact, Dr. Rose said. Stay in contact with your support system. Stress is a risk factor for relapse. Dr. Rose suggested staying involved with loved ones as much as possible.
This is a time of great hope for individuals with schizophrenia, said Velligan. There are many new medication treatments and psychosocial treatments that work to improve a broad range of outcomes. References Green, A.I., Drake, R.E., Brunette, M.F., & Noordsy, D.L. (2007). Schizophrenia and co-occurring substance use disorder. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 164, 402-408.
People with schizophrenia often encounter challenges when it comes to their friends and family. Family often try and cope with someone who has schizophrenia for a period of time, but can become frustrated by their seeming lack of progress in treatment or staying in treatment altogether. A familys emotional support may wane, and some families cut off all contact with their schizophrenic son, daughter or sibling. Friends can also not understand a person with schizophrenias experiences, and quickly lose interest in continuing the friendship when a person with schizophrenia deteriorates or drops out of treatment. The most common complaint amongst friends and family members of a person with schizophrenia is not understanding how to help them, or give them continued, long-term support that help keeps them from becoming homeless or unemployed. A persons support system may come from several sources, including the family, a professional residential or day program provider, shelter operators, friends or roommates, professional case managers, churches and synagogues, and others. Because many patients live with their families, the following discussion frequently uses the term family. However, this should not be taken to imply that families ought to be the primary support system. There are numerous situations in which people with schizophrenia may need help from people in their family or community. Often, a person with schizophrenia will resist treatment, believing that delusions or hallucinations are real and that psychiatric help is not required. At times, family or friends may need to take an active role in having them seen and evaluated by a professional. The issue of civil rights may enter into an attempt to provide treatment to someone with schizophrenia. Laws protecting patients from involuntary commitment have become very strict, and families and community organizations may be frustrated in their efforts to see that a severely mentally ill individual gets needed help. These laws vary from state to state; generally, when people are dangerous to themselves or others due to a mental disorder, the police can assist in getting them an emergency psychiatric evaluation and, if necessary, hospitalization. In some places, staff from a local community mental health center can evaluate an individuals illness at home if he or she will not voluntarily go in for treatment.
Those close to people with schizophrenia are often unsure of how to respond when patients make statements that seem strange or are clearly false. For the individual with schizophrenia, the bizarre beliefs or hallucinations seem quite real they are not just imaginary fantasies. Instead of going along with a persons delusions, family members or friends can tell the person that they do not see things the same way or do not agree with his or her conclusions, while acknowledging that things may appear otherwise to the patient. It is very important not to challenge the persons beliefs or delusions. They are very real to the person who experiences them, and theres little point in arguing with them about the delusions or false beliefs. Instead, move the conversation along to areas or topics where you both agree upon. 5. Keep a record. It may also be useful for those who know the person with schizophrenia well to keep a record of what types of symptoms have appeared, what medications (including dosage) have been taken, and what effects various treatments have had. By knowing what symptoms have been present before, family members may know better what to look for in the future. Families may even be able to identify some early warning signs of potential relapses, such as increased withdrawal or changes in sleep patterns, even better and earlier than the patients themselves. Thus, return of psychosis may be detected early and treatment may prevent a full-blown relapse. Also, by knowing which medications have helped and which have caused troublesome side effects in the past, the family can help those treating the patient to find the best treatment more quickly. 6. Help the person set attainable, simple goals in his or her life. In addition to involvement in seeking help, family, friends and peer groups can provide support and encourage the person with schizophrenia to regain his or her abilities. It is important that goals be attainable, since a patient who feels pressured or repeatedly criticized by others will probably experience stress that may lead to a worsening of symptoms. Like anyone else, people with schizophrenia need to know when they are doing things right. A positive approach may be helpful and perhaps more effective in the long run than criticism. This advice applies to everyone who interacts with the person.