Family Support is Important for Patients with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that affects the brain, characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disturbances in thought, speech, perception, and irregular behavior.

Family is a major support system that aids in providing direct care for loved ones. Family being the closest unit to a patient, families play a major role in determining the quality of care, and more importantly preventing relapse in patients suffering from schizophrenia.

Their active participation in the patient's life includes initiating treatment at home, forming a support system, and caring for the individual. Studies show that support from family has been associated with a decline in stress levels, which subsequently improves individual symptoms.


Social support is an important coping strategy to protect the family from further harm and stress, as this strengthens the individual and their mental health. Family support is a very important necessity to meet the psychosocial needs of family members, this includes providing care, love, patience, listening, and attention, to improve behavioral outcomes in patients.

How is Family Support Important for Individuals with Schizophrenia?

- Increase enthusiasm and motivation

- Decrease stress in these individuals who are already experiencing mental constraints

- Prevent symptoms of schizophrenia from worsening

- Make patients feel connected, supported, and cared for.

- Maintaining medication adherence - preventing relapse.

Look at the bigger picture- family support can subsequently enhance productivity and improve mental status.

The role family member can play to help individuals with schizophrenia:

- Encourage treatment and rehabilitation

- Evoke an atmosphere of mutual trust

- Explore and implement strategies for coping with stress, and other symptoms

- Encourage an environment for open, honest sharing of feelings without negative reactions or judgments

- Discover ways to overcome the stigma

- Reducing hospitalization

It is also important to remember that a diagnosis of schizophrenia is not a life sentence. Recovery is possible, and relapse is preventable, especially with your love and support.

To help someone with schizophrenia, it’s crucial you:

- Medication monitoring to prevent relapse and also be on the lookout for signs of relapse.

- Accept the illness and its challenges, and discover ways to cope

- You need to truly grasp the concept that someone with schizophrenia can achieve a better, successful, and meaningful life.

- Do your utmost best to actively help your loved one feel better

- Do not neglect your own needs.

- Set realistic expectations and goals.

It is also important families don't lose sight of their own hopes and dreams. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup. In order for us as humans to effectively take care of others, we must first take care of ourselves.

Schizophrenia Crisis - Some helpful tips we can implement in situations of relapse:

- Know it is futile to reason during the phase of acute psychosis

- Try your best to remain contained and do not express feelings of irritation and anger.

- Speak quietly and calmly, if they feel threatened the situation might escalate. Most times they are terrified by their feelings of loss of control.

- Avoid sarcasm

- Eliminate any distractions or trigger

- The fewer people around the better.

- Avoid continuous and direct eye contact

- Avoid trying to touch the individual in an attempt to console or calm them.

It is advised against persons with schizophrenia to live with family if:

- The caregiver is elderly or sick

- The individual with schizophrenia is very sick and has several relapses with a poor chance of leading a normal life.

- The situation cause stress for others, for example, other family members feeling scared, resentful, and imperiled.

- Support services are limited or not available.

Families should avoid feeling guilty if they are unable to house someone with schizophrenia. There are other support systems available, as well as other facilities and housing for patients.

If your family member or someone you know is struggling to cope with their mental health contact your local Board Certifies Psychiatrist/Psychologist for evaluation and treatment.

Kind regards,

Bayhill Psychiatric Associates & Team

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