Schizophrenia and Family: How to Manage the Condition Together
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Schizophrenia and Family: 7 Tips for Coping Together

Schizophrenia and Family: 7 Tips for Coping Together
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Updated on December 4, 2024
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A strong family support system can be invaluable for a person who’s been diagnosed with schizophrenia. But the condition is a serious one, and it can take its toll on people with the illness and their caregivers.

“The first thing I tell a family to do is to contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and use their support and educational resources,” says Andrew Savageau, MD, a psychiatrist and the chief clinical officer at Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare in Columbus, Ohio.

Here are more steps your family can take to help a relative cope with schizophrenia.

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1. Learn as Much as You Can About Schizophrenia

There are many misconceptions about schizophrenia in popular culture. By learning as much as you can about schizophrenia and educating others about the disease, you can separate the myths from facts and start to destigmatize the condition.

Plus, the more you know about schizophrenia, the better you’ll be at making informed decisions about your loved one’s care. Some key facts about schizophrenia:

2. Seek Family Counseling

“Receiving a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be stressful for the entire family, so family therapy can be very helpful, especially early on,” Dr. Savageau says.

For example, couples counseling can strengthen a marriage or partnership when one person (or the couple’s child) has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. “Living with schizophrenia can be a strain on a marriage,” he says, “and a struggling marriage makes it harder to be supportive for the person with schizophrenia.”

A doctor may be able to recommend a good local counseling program that can help your family learn coping strategies, better ways of communicating, and problem-solving skills.

3. Develop a Home Treatment Plan

The goal is for people with schizophrenia to live in the community, not in an institution, Savageau says. That often means relatives need to know exactly how they’re going to manage their family member’s condition.

Work with your loved one and their doctor to develop a plan that includes medication adherence strategies, a list of possible relapse signs, and a plan for what to do when a relapse occurs, says Savageau. “This plan should be written out, and everyone should know what their responsibilities are,” he says.

4. Make a Legal Plan

A person with schizophrenia may go through periods where they are too ill to understand that they need to be treated.

 Because of this, you should have a legal document — called a psychiatric advance directive — that spells out what to do in that situation.

“An advance directive should specify what hospital to go to, what doctor to call, and what family member is making decisions,” Savageau says. “It must be legal and binding.” You can access specific state-by-state information on these legal documents through the National Resource Center on Psychiatric Advance Directives.

5. Make Your Home a Safe Place

Part of family education and counseling is learning how to create a supportive home environment. It’s important to be respectful and kind but not tolerate inappropriate or dangerous behavior.

“Avoid arguments and confrontations, make every effort to be in alliance with your family member, and validate their feelings,” says Savageau. “It can be a challenge, especially when a person with schizophrenia is dealing with delusions or hallucinations, but you need to use your communication and problem-solving skills.”

6. Boost Your Loved One’s Self-Confidence

Your home should be a safe space, not a hiding place. It’s important to encourage your relative to take some responsibility for their health and become as self-reliant as possible.

“Allowing your loved one to drop out of school or not have a job is unhealthy,” Savageau says. “Even a part-time job or a few classes can help foster responsibility and create a sense of independence. If you're overprotective it can prevent them from developing the confidence and social skills they need to succeed.”

7. Don’t Forget to Take Care of Yourself

Caring for someone with schizophrenia can be stressful, and it’s not uncommon for people who assume this role to experience burnout. According to research, caregivers for people with schizophrenia report that the role has a significant impact on their own physical and emotional health.

One way to get the support you need is to join a support group. This can help you connect with others going through similar challenges and allow you to talk openly and honestly about what you’re going through, feel less isolated, learn new coping skills, and receive support without judgment. Visit NAMI to find a caregiver support group in your area.

The Takeaway

  • If someone in your family has schizophrenia, it can be challenging for the entire family, but there are several strategies to help you cope.
  • Educate yourself about schizophrenia and understand the key facts around it to help you make informed decisions, and create a safe and supportive home environment for your loved one.
  • Family counseling can help to develop relationships and communication skills, while a treatment plan and legal plan are great tools to help the entire family cope, especially if the condition worsens.
  • Remember that caregivers can experience burnout, too, so if you are caring for a family member with schizophrenia, be sure to take care of yourself, too.
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Angela-Harper-bio

Angela D. Harper, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Angela D. Harper, MD, is in private practice at Columbia Psychiatric Associates in South Carolina, where she provides evaluations, medication management, and psychotherapy for adults.  

A distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, Dr. Harper has worked as a psychiatrist throughout her career, serving a large number of patients in various settings, including a psychiatric hospital on the inpatient psychiatric and addiction units, a community mental health center, and a 350-bed nursing home and rehab facility. She has provided legal case consultation for a number of attorneys.

Harper graduated magna cum laude from Furman University with a bachelor's degree and cum laude from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, where she also completed her residency in adult psychiatry. During residency, she won numerous awards, including the Laughlin Fellowship from the American College of Psychiatrists, the Ginsberg Fellowship from the American Association of Directors of Psychiatric Residency Training, and resident of the year and resident medical student teacher of the year. She was also the member-in-training trustee to the American Psychiatric Association board of trustees during her last two years of residency training.

Harper volunteered for a five-year term on her medical school's admission committee, has given numerous presentations, and has taught medical students and residents. She currently supervises a nurse practitioner. She is passionate about volunteering for the state medical board's medical disciplinary commission, on which she has served since 2015.

She and her husband are avid travelers and have been to over 55 countries and territories.

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Chris Iliades

Chris Iliades, MD

Author

Chris Iliades, MD, is a full-time freelance writer based in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. His work appears regularly on many health and medicine websites including Clinical Advisor, Healthgrades, Bottom Line Health, HeathDay, and University Health News. Iliades also writes a regular blog for The Pulse, a website for fetal health and pregnancy.

Iliades is board-certified in Ear, Nose and Throat and Head and Neck Surgery. He practiced clinical medicine for 15 years and has also been a medical director for diagnostic research and a principal investigator for clinical research before he turned to full-time medical writing.

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Resources
  1. Schizophrenia. National Alliance on Mental Health.
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  3. Hahlweg K et al. Family therapy for persons with schizophrenia: Neglected yet important. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience. March 2022.
  4. Schizophrenia. National Institute of Mental Health. April 2024.
  5. Citrome L et al. Perceived Burdens and Educational Needs of Caregivers of People With Schizophrenia: Results of a National Survey Study. Patient Preference and Adherence. January 2022.
  6. Support groups: Make connections, get help. Mayo Clinic. March 16, 2023.