How to manage schizophrenia patients and how to make theirs and our lives better?
337850
I worked at this fully integrated reintegration program.  We had psychiatrists, case managers, therapists, emergency services staff, day program (clubhouse) and residential workers.  I was part of the residential program and I worked with people coming out of the state hospital and helped them with budgeting and banking, medication management and medical care, nutrition and cooking, cleaning, recreation, housing, community resources, hygiene..basically any skills you need on a daily basis, I tried to teach them.  The program was aimed at improving quality of life and preventing decompensation and the return to the hospital.  There is a magazine called Reintegration Today that focuses on the rehabilitation of people with schizophrenia and programs like this.  The magazine is quarterly and free.  I put the link below.
321026
I am mentally ill. I can say it. I have had to endure 30 brain surgeries and I suffer, believe me- I SUFFER- some lingering side effects of it. The surgery was for a birth deffect that wasn't detected til I was 19. \n I now suffer from severe bio-polar disorder and, without my meds, I can have mild schitzophrenic tendencies .  Ok, cool. As Long as I knowwww what is wrong with me and how to treat it, I'm ok. I can handle it. \n\n   This person in your house, that might or might not have mental problems, may not even realize they have a problem. I know it took 3 years for us to decide/realize what was wrong with me.  Ever hear of an intervention. or are you the only one who feels this person has a problem? \n    No , you don't have the right to tell someone to 'get off the drugs' when they aren't on any and you KNOW that for a fact. ( Maybe tell them to start taking the RIGHT ones..it took me 8 years to get to the right 'cocktail' of meds I am on now so that I don't talk to the trees and don't cry when they don't answer me. LOL its not thaaat bad,  just kidding  a little But it does take time and cooperation on EVERYONE's part. ) Go to the person , offer what you've observed and offer to HELP said person get the help that they NEED, or to at least see someone and determine if they need anything. It sounds simple, but it isn't. I know. I had to hospitalize my husband twice in the first year we were married before we got him properly diagnosed/medicated for bipoler problems. It stinks and its hard, but up front is the only way to go. Just don't let that person doubt your love and  support for them. \nBy the way... you don't wanna know what all I am on!!
525383
If you are looking for a serious answer on this one, you really should talk to a physician/specialist dealing in geriatric psychiatric disorders.\n\nHere, your most likely answers are going to be... you still hear the voices but you keep forgetting what they told you to do.
138301
To better understand the mechanics of human thought. Map the psyche. Study the social/mental operation of society. Differentiate between mental illness and psychosis. The list goes on and on.
229772
yeah...ummm...you should check with a doctor.  Some people seem fine on 100-200mgs for schizophrenia; other people ramp it up to 600-900+mgs/day.  It varies wildly.
21524
Be kind to them and be patient with them.  People with schizophrenia are just people who are tormented by hallucinations which are caused by a chemical imbalance.  People with schizophrenia are very rarely violent people, although sadly that's what most people are mislead to think.
330161
Schizophrenia is much like other mental disablities, even if you take your medication and then stop there is always a greater risk that it will happen again, I have a son that is bipolar and every time they change his meds. or take him off of them we go through hell, but as long as he takes his meds. life is just fine. I suppose as sad as it seems I am saying that it is very hard to be completely cured of something like this, it is most likely to be a lifetime situation with taking medications. Here is a website that shows relapse times and alot of other information that may be useful to you.
530932
Either Psychology or Psychiatry are your best bets. It depends on how much close contact you want with those you are working with. In Psychology you'll have more book study time and learning about the mind in general, but as a Psychiatrist you'll have time to work with individual patients on their problems. Also keep the ideas of Counsellor, Social worker, or Therapist on your mind. The best thing to do would be to talk to an expert career finder. Hey, you may end up doing that for a living yourself! There are plenty of job opportunities open for people who like to help, I'm sure you'll find what fits you best if you look into it.
527694
If it’s a serious mental illness (bi-polar, schizophrenia, psychosis, etc) then the person needs to recognise that they have a problem, and seek professional help. Otherwise it could be quite dangerous for both of you, especially if you’re living together. You may get seriously hurt or worse, without them realising what they’re doing at the time.\nMany of these disorders can be treated with medication these days.\n\nIf they’re just obsessive over the fact that their ego has been damaged, tell them to grow up, and if necessary, you can always seek professional legal advice.\n\nAnyone in a violent or emotionally abusive relationship, male or female, should leave.\n\nWhat to expect…\nAfter you’ve left, they’ll tell you they’ve changed, things will be different, they ‘understand’ now, can see where they were wrong, and it’ll never happen again...\nlet’s root. \nCategorise all that with ‘the cheques in the mail’. \nExcept for the root, which isn’t going to be worth the hassles anyway, so forget it.\n\nDon’t listen to your heart because it’s ‘rationally challenged’ and pre-programmed to override the brain. It’s a retarded instrument devoid of sound logic or reasoning… but they’d make an ideal aquarium pump.\nYour brain will tell you what’s right… that leopards don’t change their spots and if you don’t make the break, you’ll be stuck in an endless loop. \n(“do a I say, not as I do”:)\n\nSo be on your own for a while and see how much less miserable you are. It’s better than having someone use you as a punching bag or making themself feel great in comparison to how lousy they can make you feel.\nSingle and celibate is cool, you don’t need anyone.
198093
The World Health Organization has identified Schizophrenia as one of the ten most debilitating diseases affecting human beings. \n\nSchizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder that affects approximately 2.2 million American adults, or 1.1 percent of the population age 18 and older. Schizophrenia interferes with a person's ability to think clearly, to distinguish reality from fantasy, to manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others.\n\nAnother serious thought disorder is Schizoaffective Disorder. The symptoms of Schizoaffective Disorder look like a mixture of two kinds of major mental illnesses - mood disorders (depression, bipolar disorder) and schizophrenia.\n\nWhile there is no cure for Schizophrenia or Schizoaffective Disorder, they are highly treatable and manageable illnesses. However, people may stop treatment because of medication side effects, disorganized thinking, or because they feel the medication is no longer working.\n\nStigma is another major problem facing both the sufferer and family members. Those involved with schizophrenia are concerned about the dozens of misconceptions about the illness. Many believe that people with schizophrenia are violent and dangerous, which is not true. One parent stated that he was often accused of abandoning his daughter when he took her to the hospital. Another parent said that clerks in stores ignored her son when he asked for help or tried to make a purchase. Some religious groups hold the view that the illness is one of God's punishments.\n\nIf you think you or a family member have a thought disorder, you should seek information and treatment. At HealthyPlace.com, we believe that the more you understand about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder and issues like antipsychotic medications, the more likely you are to get the full benefit of treatment. We want to help you learn as much as you can about Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder and to offer you support in your or your loved one's recovery.
69626
http://www.hsmh.state.ut.us/locationsmap.htm is your state's resource and\n\nthis group has discussion boards\nhttp://www.schizophrenia.com/contact.html
696455
Umm, yeah sure. They should be more understanding of people with mental illness.\n\n(Don't forget to take your meds)\n\nCheers.
432922
just try to read this site and brief it , it is really nice:-\nhttp://www.helpguide.org/mental/schizophrenia_symptom.htm
166474
This is a general site that helps you find the right help for all such needs...\n\nhttp://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/index.cfm
562488
EVERY one has issues, and some people find different ways of coping.\n\n\nWhat is happening to you at the moment is your minds way of finding a way of coping with the thing that has caused your illness.\nBUT it is possible for you to make a full recovery, there are many routes for you to take, there's medication, counseling and all round support.\n\nTo get well you first have to have a good talk with your nurse, build up a level of trust with him/her and find the route cause of what is happening to you. Form there it will become clear to you what you need to do.\n\nNo-one on here can give you the answers, you have to find them for yourself.\n\nHope this helps, if you need and more help then contact me via yahoo answers, I have been where you are now.
480446
I used to work with people with schizophrenia who were recently discharged from the state hospital and now I am a 4th year clinical psychology grad student.  I would love to give you some interesting (deidentified) cases, but I don't feel comfortable leaving my e-mail here.  You can contact me through my profile.
913698
If a person is inpatient at a psychiatric hospital, they are usually a danger to themselves or others.  There they can be medically monitored, medicated and restrained if necessary to be safe.  Once they have calmed down, they will have therapy several times a day and try to fix what can be fixed.  Hopefully when they leave and stay on their medications, continue outpatient therapy.....they will no longer be a danger to anyone and can work and live normally.  That's how it's supposed to work.  For the most part it does.  Some people are just unable to live outside of an institutional setting and that's a damn shame.