Schizophrenia and the Family Network

Most of the time, the family members of a patient affected with schizophrenia do not provide the needed support for the person. But it is really very essential to build a solid support network within the family, healthcare providers and other people concerned with the affected person. Friends and family members can play a vital role in re-constructing the lost world for the patient. They can aid in setting realistic goals and boosting the ability of the patients in the normal world.

The support for people affected with any mental disorder is especially needed from

• Family members
• Friends
• Roommates
• Shelter operators
• Healthcare providers
• Caregiver
• Professional case managers
• All those in the community related to the person

People affected with schizophrenia needs constant help to get on their daily activities. The schizophrenic patients may even resist the treatment with the belief that their hallucinations and delusions are in fact real and hence do not seek professional help. But in the case of a crisis, it is the family members and friends who need to take the correct action in order to safe guard their loved one.

There are some issues arising from civil rights to prevent the treatment. There are certain strict laws which protect the patients from involuntary commitment and hence aiding a person who is mentally sick is a frustrating job. These laws differ depending on the states, but in case that the affected person turns out to be violent to himself or his family members owing to his illness and also refuses to get treated, his well-wishers are free to report to the police for the transport of the affected person to the emergency ward or the hospital when he is unwilling to do so. Later a professional healthcare provider reviews the condition of the person and determines if he requires voluntary or involuntary admission.

Some affected people attempt to hide their illness in fear for the treatment. So it is essential for the family and friends to explain the situation to the professional before examining the patient and the happenings at home must be detailed in specific. This will help the doctor in inquiring the patient regarding the situations at home and understand the patient better. The healthcare professionals should witness the unusual behavior and clearly listen to the delusional thoughts of the patient personally before they can prescribe any medications legally.

The professional must also make sure that the patient is under treatment in the correct manner even after his exit from the hospital. This is an important step since the psychotic symptoms tend to reappear when the medications are stopped or quitted by the patient without professional advice. In the worst cases, the affected person can

• Lose the ability to look after him even the basic needs.
• Ignore personal hygiene.
• Result being violent to all people ending up in the streets or the jail.

Family and friends hence need to be very careful in dealing with such people, so that the worst symptoms do not occur. They need to help the patient to recover step by step until the person is able to lead a normal life as others. They must create the supportive feeling that the patient desires or crave for. They must guide and encourage the person constantly to progress in life.

When the patient reports of hallucinations and delusions, the supportive member must respond calmly that things are seen by various individuals in a different manner and each one has their own right to see their way. Hence the members must ne supportive, respectful, patient, and kind and respond calmly to the person in order to avoid any violent behavior of the affected individual.