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This article represents an attempt to elucidate how to cope with some aspects of psychosis and schizophrenia, in particular. There are many qualities of this type of mental illness that render it intractable and impervious to intervention. However, there are also some pieces of advice contained herein that will allow the individual suffering from psychotic illness some relief. Essentially, schizophrenia is a treatable mental illness, and treatment can assume measures that are represent more than simply biochemical treatment by a psychiatrist.
The first piece of advice that this writer would give the individual suffering from psychotic mental illness is to avoid making a judgment about hallucinations. This applies specifically auditory hallucinations. Avoiding making a judgment entails resisting the urge to form an opinion or some kind of determination about what they are and from where they are derived. It may seem inadequate to the schizophrenic simply to attribute hallucinations to biochemistry, however, the schizophrenic should not infer, for example, that auditory hallucinations are aliens, people or spirits that are communicating with him. Essentially, if the schizophrenic individual is uncomfortable with attributing hallucinations to biochemical causes alone, he should try to become as comfortable as possible with simply not knowing the source of his auditory hallucinations.
As another aspect of the psychotic presentation, schizophrenics often have delusions of reference regarding aspects of her environment. Delusions of reference represent strongly held beliefs about random events that the schizophrenic maintains to have a significant association or pertinence to himself. If the schizophrenic listens to the radio, for example, he may think that the songs on the radio refer to him, in particular. In order to combat these delusions of reference, he might try to listen to classical or jazz music, or any music that has not lyrics. This will diminish the sense that the songs pertain to him specifically.
As another aspect of delusions of reference, the schizophrenic should try not to watch television programs that tend to provoke delusional ideas. This might entail resisting the urge to watch new shows or fantasy television programs that may contribute to delusions of reference. The schizophrenic may be aware of what television programs incite their delusions of reference. She should try to avoid the kind of television shows that promote her unique delusional beliefs.
If the psychotic individual has a manic element to his illness, for example, that which is seen in schizoaffective disorder, bi-polar type, he should endeavor to resist his urges to engage in impulsive activities. Many manic behaviors are ultimately harmful to the individual. Engaging in indiscriminate sexual activity can lead to obtaining a sexually transmitted disease, and reckless spending can lead to problems with money and bad credit. The individual possessing manic tendencies should defer gratification whenever it is possible.
The individual with schizophrenia may try to acquire friends with whom he may communicate about his mental illness. This may involve self-revelatory behavior that is enacted incrementally over an extended period of time. For example, he may start by speaking to another person about some of his less serious problems; then he might convey to another person that he takes medication; then he might reveal to another person that he has a diagnosis. If the schizophrenic individual tells another person about his mental illness in a way that conveys social skills, the recipient of this information will be less taken aback when the information is revealed to them. It is important to have friends with whom one can share one’s problems. Isolating oneself by remaining completely silent about one’s mental illness may lead to rumination on one’s hallucinations and delusions.
The schizophrenic should also try to maintain healthy relationships with her friends and family members. These are people who care about her. Although they may never fully comprehend her life circumstances and what she endures in terms of psychosis, they may be able to empathize with how she feels.rnThe individual should also take her medications as prescribed. This means taking the correct medication at the correct dosage at the correct time of day or night. She should have a realistic view of the benefits of medication. While medication may help manage her symptoms, they will not cure all the problems that she encounters. She must also maintain appropriate communication with her psychiatrist regarding one’s medication. Tell the doctor if it is helping, how it is not helping and what the side effects of the medication are. She should also be aware that illicit drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana, will counter the positive effects of one’s medication, and they should be avoided. Also, she should try to avoid addictive medication, such as benzodiazepines.
If the schizophrenic individual has suicidal feelings, he must convey this fact to others. Although it is important to persevere in the face of difficulties, knowing when he needs help is crucial to his wellbeing. If suicidal feelings are pressing, call 911 and a paramedic provide him with a ride to the hospital. Although a hospital may not be a favored location to the schizophrenic, it may be a necessary one.
The schizophrenic individual should continue to do all that he can in a practical way to ameliorate symptoms of mental illness. Often, the individual may know what works for him in terms of managing his mental illness. Some coping techniques are self-discovered and some come from the insights of other people. Importantly, he should try to learn to respect himself and love himself, and this is probably the most important piece of advice contained in this article.