Tayla tells us about her personal experience of schizophrenia and first time psychiatric ward admission.
Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that's closely linked to psychosis. Learn more about the symptoms of schizophrenia and how to support a friend or family member living with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a complicated mental health condition, but each person’s experience of schizophrenia is unique.
Schizophrenia is often related to psychosis, which is when you view reality in a very different way from other people around you. It’s important to note that things like paranoia, hearing voices and hallucinations are types of psychosis, and not everyone with schizophrenia will experience these symptoms.
Most commonly, people with schizophrenia can experience:
You might find it difficult to keep up day-to-day tasks, like going to work or taking care of yourself. People with schizophrenia can also become upset, confused or suspicious of other people or particular groups (like strangers or authority figures).
On average, about 1 in every 100 people are diagnosed with schizophrenia at some point in their life. Most people diagnosed with schizophrenia are aged between 18 and 35 and it seems to affect roughly the same number of men and women.
Diagnosing schizophrenia is complicated and medical professionals’ views on diagnosis keep changing, but if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor.
Your GP or mental health professional can offer medical advice including more information about medication and other treatments for schizophrenia.
Our service users who have schizophrenia told us it can be difficult for them to find people to talk to about the emotional and mood impacts of their condition, because these are much less recognised. But low mood, sleep and other effects of schizophrenia can be just as difficult to deal with, and when not treated or managed successfully can lead to worsening psychotic symptoms rather than the other way round.
You can support a friend, loved one or colleague with schizophrenia by focusing on how they’re feeling, not what they’re experiencing.
You might feel unsure what to say or do when someone sees or believes something you don't – but it's important to remember that their experiences feel real to them.
Instead of denying their experience, it can help to say something like ‘That sounds really frightening, is there somebody you could talk to about it?’
You should also try to notice what’s going well. It can be hard watching someone close to you living with schizophrenia, particularly if they’re having trouble perceiving what’s really happening, but you should try to notice any positive things too.
Try focusing on what they can do, rather than what they’re finding difficult. You could also try helping them set small realistic goals for themselves (if this is something they want to do).
We offer a range of mental health support across Hampshire, depending on what you’re looking for.
Our peer support services offer the opportunity for you to meet and talk to others who have had their own experiences. These conversations can be invaluable when it comes to mental health diagnoses like schizophrenia, which are often misunderstood and can be difficult to people to talk about generally.
There’s also our Lighthouse and Safe Haven crisis services, where we offer non-judgemental support 4.30pm to 11pm, 365 days a year. We offer face-to-face drop-ins, via telephone or text, or via video link using Attend Anywhere.
The national Mind website has some great self-care tips for looking after yourself when you’re living with schizophrenia.
And whether you’re looking for support for yourself or someone you know, there are a range of other organisations and charities that may be able to help.
We’ve listed their details below:
Carers UK
0808 808 7777
029 2081 1370 (Carers Wales)
advice@carersuk.org
carersuk.org
Advice and support for anyone who provides care.
Hearing Voices Network
hearing-voices.org
Information and support for people who hear voices or have other unshared perceptions, including local support groups.
Hub of Hope
hubofhope.co.uk
UK-wide mental health service database. Lets you search for local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support. You can filter results to find specific kinds of support.
National Paranoia Network
nationalparanoianetwork.org
Information and support for people who experience paranoid thoughts.
Rethink Mental Illness
0808 801 0525
rethink.org
Provides support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems, including local support groups.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
rcpsych.ac.uk
Professional body for psychiatrists. Includes information about mental health problems and treatments.
Samaritans
116 123 (freephone)
jo@samaritans.org
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
samaritans.org
Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).
Time to Change Wales
timetochangewales.org.uk
Campaign to end stigma and discrimination against people with mental health problems.
Tayla tells us about her personal experience of schizophrenia and first time psychiatric ward admission.
Shaun has a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and his partner Vicky is living with borderline schizophrenia. In this blog, Shaun explains one of the biggest myths about his and Vicky’s conditions.