Schizophrenia can dramatically alter the life of both the patients and those close to them and those involved in their care.
For those involved in the patient’s care, it is often difficult to cope with psychotic episodes and the positive and negative symptoms experienced by the patient.
Caring for a close friend or family member with schizophrenia is a full time job. This makes it extremely difficult to care for the patient while having a career and caring for other family members.
In addition, those caring for the patient can experience tremendous loss and sadness, which can interfere with family and social life and workplace activities.
Living with schizophrenia
How to give help
Family members play an extremely important role in the life of the patient suffering from schizophrenia due to their financial, emotional and social support.
Employment
Schizophrenia often develops between the ages of 18 and 35, which is a critical life period for studying and for making career and professional decisions.
Social life
One of the common negative symptoms of schizophrenia is withdrawal from social life, and the patients often have emotional, social and motivational issues.