Schizophrenia is an illness that doesn’t just affect the people who have been
diagnosed, but that also affects their friends and families. Relationships will
change, but the best way to deal with these changes is to keep the channels
of communication open. Provide plenty of support and loving care for the person
with schizophrenia. Help him or her to accept the diagnosis. Be positive about
the future; there are support and treatment options available. For more information
on schizophrenia and the family, you can check out this family or caregiver manual.
What should I do if my friend or family member with schizophrenia is
going through a crisis situation?
When someone with schizophrenia is having a psychotic episode, it’s called
a “crisis situation.” If the person is having delusions, hallucinations or a
thought disorder, you should get medical help for the person as quickly as possible.
This could mean hospitalization. If the person has been receiving medical help,
phone his or her doctor, or help the person to get to an emergency department
or mental health clinic.
Here are some tips for dealing with a person living with schizophrenia who
is experiencing a crisis situation:
DOs
- Do try to remain as calm as possible. Showing
too much emotion can be even more upsetting for the person.
- Do decrease distractions.
Turn off the TV, radio, etc.
- Do give the person space in the room.
- Do ask other people to leave the room to
make more space and quiet.
- Do say things like, “Let’s sit down and talk”
or “Let’s sit down and be quiet.”
- Do speak slowly and clearly in a normal voice.
- Do talk about the behaviour you’re seeing.
For example, you can try saying things like, “I feel you’re afraid/angry/confused.
Please tell me what’s making you afraid.”
- Do repeat your questions or statements if
you have to, using the same words each time.
DON’Ts
- Don’t crowd the person’s space.
- Don’t block the doorway.
- Don’t argue with other people about what
to do.
- Don’t shout. If the person doesn’t seem to
be listening to you, it may be because other voices caused by hallucinations
are even louder.
- Don’t criticize. Avoid saying things like,
“You’re acting like a child,” or “You’ll do what I tell you to.”
- Don’t make continuous eye contact.
Crisis situations are hard on both your physical and emotional strength. You’ll
be better able to help the person in crisis and to cope yourself if you can
stay in control of your reactions.
Planning ahead
Families can’t fully prepare for a crisis situation in advance, but you can
establish an emergency plan to help guide you through the crisis. This may include:
- Keeping a list of phone numbers, including the person’s psychiatrist, doctor,
psychiatric treatment centre or hospital emergency department, and a crisis
hotline number or crisis response team, if those are available in your community.
- Finding out in advance from the person’s doctor or psychiatrist which hospital
to go to in case of an emergency.
- Knowing which family members, friends and caregivers the person might trust
most in an emergency and who might be able to get them to go to the hospital
voluntarily.
Additional resources
For more information on schizophrenia please contact the Schizophrenia Society of Canada.
This web site will give you access to helpful online resources and connect you
with the national and provincial societies across the country.
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