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Schizophrenia is a long-term and serious mental health issue. It affects a person’s thoughts, feelings and actions. Below are some common warning signs of the issue that can happen between the ages of 16 and 30.
A person may:
“Lose touch” with reality
Have changes in normal feelings and actions
Show changes in memory and thinking
Schizophrenia can be caused by many factors. It may be part of one’s genetics or part of changes in the brain between birth and puberty. Other things can also play a role:
Giving care and support to a loved one with schizophrenia can be hard. It may be tough to know how to react to someone with symptoms you may not fully understand.
Help your loved one see a mental health provider. Treatment may include one or more of these forms of help:
The mental health provider will suggest the right levels of care based on the patient’s needs.
Keep in mind, a person with schizophrenia fully believes their thoughts or perceived senses are very real. Their illness is caused by a complex brain disorder that they have no control over.
Above all, be kind and treat them with respect. It is okay to offer support, but do not stand for unsafe or inappropriate actions. A caregiver support group can help you cope.
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