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Paranoid Schizophrenia
Coping with Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia paranoid schizophrenia may make it hard to lead a stable life. You may feel that paranoid schizophrenia symptoms are getting in the way of doing the things you want.
Help with schizophrenia medicine
Take your Paranoid Schizophrenia schizophrenia medicine the way your doctor tells you. This can help you stay well.
Ask a friend or family member to help you stay on track with your paranoid schizophrenia medicine.
Consider counseling
Many doctors recommend combining medicine with talk therapy or counseling.
These can:
- Help you understand paranoid schizophrenia symptoms
- Allow you to talk about long-term plans
- Help you learn how to manage your paranoid schizophrenia symptoms
- Help you deal with stress
- Help you improve family or marital/romantic relationships
- Help you deal with other people's misunderstandings about schizophrenia
Get a good night's sleep
You may have problems with sleep as a part of your paranoid schizophrenia illness. Maybe you don't get enough sleep. Other times you may sleep too much.
Here are some other things that may cause sleep problems:
- Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol or not exercising enough may add to sleep problems. Try to avoid caffeine and alcohol so you can sleep better.
- Some medications might cause drowsiness.
- Disturbances in your sleep can mean something else is wrong. If they continue, talk to your doctor.
Get help for addiction
Drug and alcohol addiction may also make you less likely to follow the paranoid schizophrenia treatment plans that your doctor recommends.
Smoking is bad for your health. It may be hard for you to quit smoking. Nicotine withdrawal can make paranoid schizophrenia symptoms worse for awhile. There are treatments that may help. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting smoking.
Have a crisis plan
Talk with someone you trust about what to do if you should have a crisis or very severe paranoid schizophrenia symptoms.
Let your loved one know about:
- Names and phone numbers of your doctor and pharmacy
- The medicine you take and your dose
- What to do about taking care of your children, pets, and bill paying
- Where you work and how to reach your employer
- Your insurance plans, coverage, and approved providers
Take time to enjoy life
Feeling good is something we all need. Find time for things you enjoy. Make it a goal to do more things that make you happy and give you a sense of peace.
Get immediate help
People with paranoid schizophrenia schizophrenia and their loved ones should know that there are times when medical attention may be needed right away. You may need to call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Some examples of behaviors that may need professional medical care right away include:
- Thoughts of suicide or suicide attempts
- Acting in ways that might hurt themselves
- Acting violently toward people, pets, or property
- Not eating
- Not being able to care for themselves
Know the risk of suicide
Having suicidal thoughts is a dangerous emergency situation for someone with paranoid schizophrenia schizophrenia. About 10% of people with paranoid schizophrenia schizophrenia who attempt suicide succeed. This is particularly true of adult males with the paranoid schizophrenia condition.
If you or your loved one is having thoughts of suicide, call the doctor immediately and seek help in dealing with these feelings.
Know that people are there to help
In addition to your family and friends, remember that doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care providers are there to help you if you have questions, concerns, or problems.
Do your best not to miss appointments. Ask a family member or friend to help you if you sometimes forget about appointments or if travel is a problem.
