| It has long been said that while depression is the | | | | help them to not only better understand the challenges |
| "common cold" of mental illness, schizophrenia, on the | | | | you face, but also enable them to provide the type of |
| other hand, is the "cancer". A diagnosis of | | | | support you need. |
| schizophrenia can be devastating and frightening, just | | | | A Good Support System |
| like the symptoms themselves. | | | | We all do much better in life with a good support |
| Hearing voices, feeling paranoid, and having difficulties | | | | system. This is especially crucial for anyone living with |
| distinguishing between what is real and what is not can | | | | a chronic medical or mental health condition. |
| all be very disturbing and difficult to understand, let | | | | Unfortunately, the dilemma with schizophrenia is that |
| alone reveal to someone else. However, while | | | | two of the symptoms of the disorder are often |
| schizophrenia is a life-long mental illness, many people | | | | increased withdrawal and difficulties interacting socially, |
| with the disorder have learned to manage and cope in | | | | making it challenging to develop or maintain a good |
| ways that allow them to lead fulfilling lives in spite of | | | | support system. If you have a supportive spouse, |
| their illness. | | | | family, or friends, you are very fortunate. These |
| Education and Knowledge | | | | relationships can be greatly beneficial to your overall |
| One of the first and foremost factors in coping with | | | | well-being and ability to cope. But if you don't have that |
| schizophrenia, as with any illness, is learning everything | | | | support (or in addition to it if you do) you can also |
| you can about your disorder. As with any health issue, | | | | obtain support from your treatment provider, the local |
| the more you understand the disorder, the better you | | | | mental health community, and support groups such as |
| can learn to manage and cope with it. In this day and | | | | NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). |
| age, with information just a mouse click away, it is | | | | Treatment |
| easy to find a lot of information just by doing some | | | | The symptoms of schizophrenia are often significantly |
| research online. However, it is always best to discuss | | | | disabling. To best manage the illness and live life to the |
| your illness with a qualified mental health professional | | | | fullest degree, following the treatment regimen |
| and learn as much as you can. Also, your treatment | | | | prescribed by your mental health provider is very |
| provider can work with you in terms of helping you | | | | important. This will almost always include ongoing |
| manage your illness. It is also very helpful if your | | | | medication, as well as individual, family or group |
| spouse, children, or other family members and close | | | | therapy, particularly when your disorder is first |
| friends become educated about your illness. This will | | | | diagnosed. |