Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Learn More About Schizophrenia
• Method 2 of 2: Maintain a Conversation
• Tips
• Warnings

Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder that can significantly affect the thinking ability and health of the person affected. People with schizophrenia can hear voices, can be emotionally disturbed, sometimes difficult to talk to, and often meaningless. Regardless, there are steps you can take to improve the quality of your conversation with someone with schizophrenia.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Learn More About Schizophrenia

1. 1 Learn to recognize the symptoms of schizophrenia. Some of the symptoms of schizophrenia are easier to notice than others, but by identifying symptoms that are not visible at first glance, you have a better understanding of what the person with whom you are talking is going through. Signs of schizophrenia can include:
   • Unreasonable expressions of suspicion.
   • Unusual or strange fears, such as the fear that someone might harm someone with schizophrenia.
   • Signs of hallucinations or changes in perception by the senses, for example, visual, gustatory, olfactory, auditory, or sensations that other people in the same situation, at the same time and in the same place, do not feel.
   • Disorders of speech and writing. Erroneous comparison of facts that are not related to one another. Conclusions that do not correlate with the facts.
   • “Negative” symptoms (that is, changes in typical behavior or thought processes) such as lack of emotion (sometimes called anhedonia), lack of eye contact, lack of facial expressions, poor hygiene, or social isolation.
   • Unusual adornment of oneself, for example, extraordinary clothes in an inappropriate manner (sleeve or pant leg rolled up for no reason, incongruous colors, etc.).
   • Inappropriate movements, such as strange postures or pointless excessive / repetitive movements, such as constantly unbuttoning and fastening a twist.
2. 2 Compare symptoms with schizoid personality disorder. Schizoid personality disorder is a disorder of the schizophrenic spectrum, and both of these conditions are characterized by difficulty in expressing emotions or making social connections, however, there are some visible differences. The person with schizoid personality disorder does not lose a sense of reality and does not have hallucinations or prolonged paranoia, his speech is normal and easy to communicate with.A person with schizoid personality disorder develops and expresses a desire for loneliness, has little or no sex drive, and can be confused by normal social interactions.
   • Although this condition is referred to as a schizophrenic spectrum disorder, it is not schizophrenia, so the interactions described here for communicating with a person with schizophrenia are not suitable for communicating with someone with schizoid personality disorder.
3. 3 Do not assume that you are dealing with a person with schizophrenia. Even if a person develops symptoms of schizophrenia, do not automatically assume that they have schizophrenia. You don't want to get it all wrong by assuming the presence or absence of schizophrenia.
   • If you are unsure, ask the person's acquaintances or relatives.
   • Do this tactfully by saying something like, “I want to make sure I don’t do or say something wrong, so I’d like to clarify: does this person have a mental disorder, such as schizophrenia? I'm wrong, I just noticed some symptoms, and I would like to treat this person with due respect. "
4. 4 Treat the person with empathy and understanding. If you find out about the symptoms of schizophrenia, try to put yourself in the shoes of the person suffering from this debilitating disorder. Understanding a person's condition, empathically-sensually or mentally, is key to a successful relationship, as it helps to be less critical, more patient, and also gives the ability to better feel the needs of the other person.
   • While it is difficult to imagine some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, you can still imagine what it means not to control your own mind and perhaps not even realize the loss of control or not fully understand the reality.

Method 2 of 2: Maintain a Conversation

1. 1 Speak more slowly, but not condescendingly. Remember that the person may hear noises or voices in the background of your conversation, making it difficult to understand you. It is important to speak clearly, calmly, and fairly quietly, as the person can be jittery due to constant voices.
   • These voices can criticize him while you are talking.
2. 2 Don't forget about delirium. Delusional states occur in 4 out of 5 people with schizophrenia, so keep in mind that when you talk to them, the person may be delusional, such as delusions that you or an organization is controlling the mind of a person with schizophrenia, or you can appear for him in the form of an angel of God or many other options, in fact.
   • Learn about certain delusional states to get an idea of ​​what information is best to filter out in your conversations.
   • Don't forget about megalomania. Remember that you are talking to a person who may consider himself a famous person, an authoritative person, or the chosen person.
   • Agree as often as possible in the conversation, but don't overdo it with corny flattery and compliments.
3. 3 Never speak as if the person is not there. Do not isolate him, even if he has a prolonged hallucination. Usually, the understanding of what is happening remains, as does the resentment from the manner in which you ignore the conversation.
   • If you need to talk to someone else about a person with schizophrenia, speak in an appropriate manner or in private.
4. 4 Chat with other people who know the person with schizophrenia. You can figure out how to best communicate with this particular person by talking with a friend, family member, or (if there is one) guardian. There are certain questions that you will want to ask them, for example:
   • Does this person have a state of hostility?
   • Was there lethargy?
   • Are there any special hallucinations I should be aware of?
   • Are there any special ways of responding to situations in which I might find myself with this person?
5. 5 Create a contingency plan. Consider how you will leave the room if the conversation goes in the wrong direction or if your safety is at stake.
   • Consider in advance how you can gently get the person out of their anger or paranoia. Perhaps there is something you can do to make the person feel better. If, for example, the person thinks that the government is watching him, suggest covering the windows with aluminum foil to stay safe from scanning devices.
6. 6 Be prepared to accept unusual things. Remain calm and don't react. A person with schizophrenia is more likely to behave and communicate differently than a healthy person. There is no need to laugh at a person, mock him or make fun of him if he does something meaningless or illogical. If you feel that you are in danger, call the police.
   • If you imagine what it means to live with such a disorder, you will realize that there is nothing funny about it.
7. 7 Keep him on constant medication. For a person suffering from schizophrenia, it is common to try to give up medication. However, it is very important to take your medication continuously. If the person says they want to stop taking their medication, you can:
   • Suggest to consult a doctor first before making such a serious decision.
   • Remind them that if a person is feeling better, it is most likely from medication, but long-term well-being requires long-term medication.
8. 8 Don't support delirium. If the person develops paranoia and feels like you are plotting against them, avoid too much eye contact, as this can increase the paranoia.
   • If a person thinks that you are writing something about him, you should not type messages in his presence.
   • If he thinks that you are stealing, do not stay alone in a room or house for a long time.

Tips

• Ken Steele has an excellent book called The Day The Voices Silenced (Ken Steele: The Day the Voices Stopped). This book will help you understand what people with this condition go through and how the world changes for them after recovery.
• Visit a person with schizophrenia and let your conversation be no different from what you would have with a healthy person, regardless of the patient's current mental state.
• Do not be patronizing and do not use words or phrases that are commonly used in conversation with children. An adult with schizophrenia is an adult.
• Do not automatically assume that the person will be aggressive or threatening. The vast majority of people with schizophrenia and other psychoses are no more aggressive than ordinary people.
• Don't act like you are bothered by his symptoms.

Warnings

• Schizophrenia has been linked to high rates of suicide when compared to rates in the general population. If you think the person you are talking to is considering suicide, it is important to immediately contact the emergency services or hotline for help.
• If you call emergency services, be sure to mention the person's mental disorder so they know what they are dealing with.
• Remember to be safe if a person with schizophrenia has hallucinations. Remember that this is a disease that can cause paranoia and delusions, and even if the person seems completely friendly, unexpected emotional outbursts can occur.