If you want to support a friend or family member who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia (or schizoaffective disorder) it can be hard to know where to start.

What do they need?

What do they want?

Am I just a carer now?

Will they be taken away from the home?

How do I deal with them if they’re being difficult?

Am I helping them or making things worse?

Where has the person I knew gone?

Do I need to watch them 24/7?

If it’s too much for me, how can I get help?

It can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re new to all this. But with patience, a willingness to learn and a caring attitude, you might be surprised by what you can do.

Remember that you’re not a trained professional – you don’t need to be a therapist or a nurse. Leave that to the people whose job it is to give your loved one this kind of help. No-one expects you to do everything perfectly. You can only do your best, and you’re only human.

Learning about schizophrenia can help you understand what is happening. That can make it less daunting to deal with. There are lots of online resources where you can read about schizophrenia and the symptoms:

NHS

Mind

Hearing Voices Network

When someone you live with has schizophrenia, it can take over everyone’s lives sometimes: family members may have to take on more responsibilities and make allowances to help manage the illness.2 Remember that you are just as important as the person who has schizophrenia, and you need support too. Don’t be afraid to ask for help – friends and family can take on practical tasks or offer a listening ear, while healthcare professionals are on hand to provide therapy, medication, counselling and other support.