The Schizophrenia Support Center

Every person is unique, but when you face a challenge like schizophrenia, you are never alone.  Countless men, women and even children have faced exactly the same diagnosis and have survived and thrived.  The following guide is designed to help you navigate your journey with the best information and resources that helped other survivors when they faced the same challenge. 

TSC has scoured the Web to gather together links to the very best schizophrenia resources: articles, blogs, forums, and tools that can help you make better decisions and take action to overcome the range of emotional, physical, and other challenges that you're facing now.

As you’ll see, we always welcome your ideas and suggestions to make this schizophrenia guide even more helpful to survivors like you.   

JUST FOUND OUT

Survivors Say: The Best Resources for Schizophrenia

• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): Schizophrenia
• Mental Health America: Factsheet - Schizophrenia
• Schizophrenia.com
• National Alliance on Mental Illness: Communities - Schizophrenia
  

The Big Picture

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that affects about 1.1 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices others don’t hear, believe that others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world, or become convinced that others are plotting to harm them. These experiences can make them fearful and withdrawn and cause difficulties when they try to have relationships with others.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms usually develop in men in their late teens or early twenties and women in the twenties and thirties, but in rare cases, can appear in childhood. They can include hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, movement disorders, flat affect, social withdrawal, and cognitive deficits.

NIMH: What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Your Schizophrenia

It may help to understand possible causes of schizophrenia, different types, and what to do if you think you are schizophenic:

NIMH: When does schizophrenia start and who gets it?

Schizoprenia.com: The Causes of Schizophrenia

Psyweb.com: Schizophrenia (covers types of schizophrenia)

Psychcentral.com: Schizophrenia Screening Quiz

5 Questions You Should Ask Your Doctor

• What type of schizophrenia do I have? WebMD: Schizophrenia - Symptoms & Types
• What can I do about it? Revolutionhealth.com: Schizophrenia
• Will I have this forever? Schizophreniaforum.org  
• What medications will I take? Schizophrenia.com: Medication Treatment
• Should I tell my family, friends, and employer? Psychcentral.com: Helpful Hints About Schizophrenia for Family Members

Your World

Dealing with a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be very difficult. On one hand you and those closest to you may feel relieved that you've found a reason for the extreme stress and difficulties you've been struggling with so far. But schizophrenia is a very serious mental disorder and one that can be hard to manage, so don't be surprised if you're feeling anxiety, anger, or frustration now. Here are some resources to help you now:

Schizophrenia.com: Diagnosed Discussion Forum

WebMD: Schizophrenia - Support & Resources

Schizophrenia Myths

• "I will have to tell my employer that I am a schizophrenic."
• Mental Health Works A look at the legalities and risks of informing your boss about your illness.
• "I will probably also become bipolar or develop multiple personality disorder."
• The Differences Between Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Multiple Personality Disorder A definitive source for distinguishing between these conditions. 
• "Schizophrenics are likely to become suicidal." 
• Prognosis and Recovery Factors of Schizophrenia An honest review of suicide rates in schizophrenics and how to protect yourself. 
• "Once my symptoms improve I can quit taking my medications." 
• Can Schizophrenia Patients Stop Taking Their Medication? A discussion about regular medication is essential in controlling schizophrenia.
• "I will become violent." 
• Are People With Schizophrenia Likely To Be Violent? A resource reviewing violence in schizophrenics.

Types of Treatment

National Institute of Mental Health: How is schizophrenia treated?

Medications

Antipsychotic drugs are typically used to manage schizophrenic symptoms:

WebMD: Schizophrenia - Medications

Psychotherapy

Numerous studies have found that psychotherapy (counseling) can help patients who are already stabilized on antipsychotic medications deal with difficulties with communication, motivation, self-care, work, and establishing and maintaining relationships with others:

About.com: Can Psychotherapy Be Used To Treat Schizophrenia?

Self-Help

There are things you can do in your daily life, too, that will help you stay healthy and support your efforts to successfully manage your symptoms:

Delicious Living Magazine: Schizophrenia - Dietary Changes and Lifestyle Changes

Possible Treatment Side Effects

Healthyplace.com: Side Effects of Medications Used to Treat Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia.com: Side Effects of Some Schizophrenia Medications

Wellsphere.com: Psychotherapy Risks

Alternative Treatments

If you're interested in trying natural approaches to treating schizophrenia, such as dietary supplements, herbs, and acupuncture, be sure to tell your doctor, as some of these therapies may interact with antipsychotic medication:

Schizophrenia.com: Complementary Schizophrenia Treatments

Books Survivors Recommend

• Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manuel for Families, Consumers, and Providers by E. Fuller Torrey
• Living with Schizophrenia by John Watkins 
• Getting Your Life Back Together When You Have Schizophrenia by Roberta Temes 
• Reconstructing Schizophrenia” by R. Bentall
  

Recommended Information for Co-Survivors

What to Say

• "Let’s find out what type of schizophrenia you have." WebMD: Schizophrenia - Symptoms and Types
• "Let's find a doctor and work with him to determine the best therapy for you." Medicinenet.com: Schizophrenia Symptoms - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
  

What Not to Say

• Don't be discouraging; a positive outlook is important.
• Don't patronize your survivor or try to do everything for them.
• Don't pretend it'll be easy or quick to treat the schizophrenia.

Things You Can Do for a Survivor Today and Every Day

• Provide support by phone and email.
• Share your own experience with a health crisis or other hardship, and how you got through it.
• Share reliable references for information and support.

How to Build a Support Network

• Set up your TSC co-survivor profile.
• Create a support group for your friend or family member.
• Interact and provide updates on how your loved one is doing.

Remember that you are not alone; many thousands of people have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and many have gone on to lead fulfilling lives. The key to their success is what will work for you as well: Focus on your treatment, not your illness. Continue to see your doctor regularly and keep up with medication and counseling as prescribed, and maintain a support network around you continuously -- these things will be a tremendou help as you make your way toward a successful recovery.

How You Can Thrive With Schizophrenia

Sometimes it helps to hear how someone else is not just surviving, but thriving: 

Schizophrenia.com: Personal Success Stories of Coping with Schizophrenia 

TheScientist.com: Schizophrenia - The Disease: Robin Cunningham

Schizophreniadiaries.com: True Stories by Real Schizophrenics

Suicide Prevention

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Schizophrenia and Suicide Prevention

If you or someone else is thinking or expressing suicidal thoughts or actions, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-SUICIDE immediately.