my friend has paranoid Schizophrenia and would like some help on how to help her?

Question

she is very wary of her husband and is thinking everybody is against her,and she comes out with some really weird things when she's talking to you i've known her for ages and really want to help her

she has been diagnosed with this and is supposed to taking her tablets but she won't as she thinks they are going to kill her

Answer 1

With the issue of schizophrenia the most helpful of things I have come to find in all my research is the writings of a woman called Anne Deveson, she is a film maker in Australia and did a lot of political documentation work in the 80's her son had schizophrenia and committed suicide and she was asked to write a book about the illness but instead she decided to write a book called "tell me I'm here" about his life (this book is how I found out about her and that book was the only thing in all my research that I found helped me) this is a quote from an interview with her:
"It took me quite a while to learn that the most
important thing I could give Jonathan was just to be there. So that in the beginning I was
nervous. I was always trying to fix him up. I didn't have the information about
schizophrenia, so I would be trying to say: did you take your medication?
Have you had a shower? Goodness your clothes are filthy, take them off.
Where have you been sleeping? You know, when are you coming home?
And I realised actually it took me about a few months before I realised that what was
happening then was that all our conversation was focused around his illness. And people's
illness is only a part of their lives. And what was much more important was to acknowledge
him as a person, and to be there as a mother and as a friend, rather than somebody who was
trying to fix up his illness."
So be there for her and teach her husband too but also she needs to take her medication without it she won't get better and once she feels better when she is on it do not let her go off it, if she does it will all happen again maybe try grinding it up into her food (don't let her see this of course) but it is very important she takes it

Answer 2

Your buddy has a difficulty with believe, and concern. a number of her fears do sound like paranoia, schizophrenia encompasses an excellent style of indications, or perhaps the professionals can not seem to agree on all the criteria that should be protected. placed up-tense pressure disease is likewise a threat given her abusive previous. i can not diagnose your buddy, yet she genuinely does opt to be evaluated through a specialist. Is she as in contact about those themes as you're? in case you may communicate her into seeing someone, which will be very effective. she receives a referral from her physician, or can call a community psychological well-being Dept. At 21, she is an man or woman, so therapy will be fullyyt as a lot as her except she's a chance to herself or others (which she isn't). See what you may do to effect her to bypass get evaluated. ideal needs, hon. And through how, you're a superb buddy to care and decide to help.

Answer 3

This is a very difficult situation and I really feel for you. I have supported a number of people with this illness and it is never an easy situation.

If she isn't taking her medication it is unlikely that her symptoms will improve. Many people who have schizophrenia avoid taking their medication for the same reason you have said.

She does need professional help but in the UK it is hard to get this help unless she is showing signs that she is likely to harm herself or others.

It might be worth considering talking to her husband. He will be able to access services more easily through her GP or psychiatrist. It is especially important to act if she is neglecting herself (not eating or drinking for example) or she is putting herself at risk (she may be so preoccupied with distressing thoughts that things like leaving a cooker on or crossing the road become dangerous). Equally if she expresses any ideas of causing harm to someone else you should act immediately.

While it may seem like you are betraying her, talking to her husband about the things she says is probably important.

As in a previous answer, try not to feed into the paranoia by responding to the strange things she says except to keep it fact based. I have included a link from Mind. They are a great organisation and think beyond the medical (symptoms and medications.

Good luck and remember to look after yourself too!

http://www.mind.org.uk/Information/Booklets/Understanding/Understanding+schizophrenia.htm

Answer 4

She needs to go to a psychiatrist and get evaluated and properly diagnosed. Then they'll be able to give her the medication that she needs in order to function in regular society. Since she's paranoid, it could be challenging to get her in, and her husband may have to arrange to have her "taken in" for the evaluation. Interventions like this regarding Schizophrenics are normal. Good Luck!

Answer 5

Dont diminish her concerns, what may seem ridiculous to you is absolutely real to her. Identify and provide reality checks. Dont push her too hard tho. When shes talkin really weird stuff listen to her and try to relate with a more reality based response. Point out things to her that are good. Offer lots of reassurance and get her involved in good activities. Also, I dunno if shes takin meds but there are some great ones out there as well as services, check your phone book for your local mental health services. They can offer programs and advice to family and friends dealing with schizophrenia

Answer 6

Paranoid schizophrenia is probably one of the most serious of the mental illnesses......
It's critical that your friend be stabilized on her medications and followed by a psychiatrist .....You don't play with this disease .....It's no joke that she is so ill....

Her husband needs to get her to that doctor ASAP...Maybe into a mental health facility as well until she is stabilized and ready for the world......

This disease causes delusions , paranoia and other serious types of incidents ....she may seriously hurt herself or others.......Get her to a doc fast ......also be aware that this disease is genetic and her kids can be affected.....

Answer 7

you cannot make her understand what is real and what is not real by explaining to her, she will have to take medicine to be able to comprehend things like you do, schizo have this problem with irrational thinking, thinking people after them, people trying to poison them, people plotting against them, etc. this might be why she does not take tablets. since these things are not real to you, you cannot understand, to her they are real and she will only believe there is something wrong with everyone else, not her self. take her to the psychiatrist this is the only hope. maybe after hours of talking and preaching you might help her some, but most of your attempts will be futile if she is thinking like this now.

Answer 8

how do you know this, has she been diagnosed by a professional or are you just guessing, there are lots of things that could be wrong, maybe she knows something about her husband that you don't and she could be upset or depressed or maybe she is what you say, get her to get real help if your a real friend

Answer 9

Your friend needs to be reassessed by a psychiatrist, for review of medication accompany her and get to speak to the professionals how you can continue supporting her

Answer 10

She really needs to be seen by a psychiatrist to be evaluated for the proper medication that she needs to help her. Followed by a therapist.