Conditions & Symptoms - Level 1
Goal: Explore with the individual their understanding of the language of Schizophrenia.
Possible Action Steps
- Find out what the individual knows about their health.
- Talk with the individual about their understanding of Schizophrenia.
- Have the individual talk about words and phrases they have heard used in the discussion of Schizophrenia that they don't fully understand.
- Reassure the individual that it is OK to not fully understand all things related to Schizophrenia.
- Explore the individual's feelings about having a diagnosis of Schizophrenia and what this means to them.
Goal: Build awareness in the individual of Schizophrenia's symptoms and learn how to respond.
Possible Action Steps
- Ask individual to identify any recent Schizophrenic symptoms (positive or negative).
- Ask individual about other physical or emotional symptoms they may not identify as being related to Schizophrenia.
- Together, identify some common indicators for Schizophrenia relapse (e.g., increase in symptoms, non-adherence to medications, alcohol or drug use, poor diet, etc.)
- Provide individual with a simple and informative resource on Schizophrenia's symptoms.
- Find out whether the individual has experienced any indicators for Schizophrenia relapse.
- Talk about what the individual should do to correctly respond when they experience indicators for Schizophrenia relapse.
Goal: Work with the individual to increase their understanding of Schizophrenia.
Possible Action Steps
- Find out if the individual can summarize what their doctor told them about their diagnosis of Schizophrenia.
- Assist the individual in developing a simple sentence that simply describes Schizophrenia (e.g., Schizophrenia is a condition that affects how I think.)
- Elicit any questions individual has about Schizophrenia and respond to the questions or work to find answers. Provide clear and simple answers to individual as soon as possible.
- Provide individual with a supporting resource that will help with their understanding of Schizophrenia.
Goal: Help the individual focus on and verbalize questions or fears associated with having a diagnosis of Schizophrenia
Possible Action Steps
- Encourage the individual to ask questions about their diagnosis.
- Ask the individual to talk about their fears related to Schizophrenia.
- Talk with the individual's family or support system about their own fears about Schizophrenia.
- Gently clarify any inconsistent or illogical fears by providing simple, accurate information.
- Together, make a plan for the individual to move closer to full functioning in a specific setting.
Goal: Encourage individual to learn about the importance of having a support system and to identify a system that may already be in place.
Possible Action Steps
- Together, discuss what a support system is and why it is important for persons with Schizophrenia to have "significant others" in their lives.
- Talk with individual about an experience they have had where a supportive "other" could have been helpful.
- Ask the individual to identify and talk about persons in their life who are supportive right now (emotionally, physically, financially, etc.) Are there persons who are currently not helpful or have a negative influence on the individual?
- Ask individual to think about whom they already know who might have a positive effect on their life.
Goal: Help individual identify what is a priority for them with regard to how they feel and function.
Possible Action Steps
- Ask individual about their life priorities. What priority do they rank #1?
- Discuss with individual how their priorities conflict with how they feel and function.
- Find out if the individual has any ideas about what might help them feel better and function better.
- Together, identify an important person in the individual's life who can help them achieve life priority #1.
Goal: Help the individual get more out of interactions with healthcare providers, family and friends.
Possible Action Steps
- Together, identify key members of the individual’s care team – doctor, nurse, spouse, partner, family member, friend, neighbor, etc.
- Discuss with the individual how to best use a loved-one or close friend for support.
- Together, role-play to help individual feel comfortable asking questions of a healthcare provider.
- Together, role-play to help individual feel comfortable asking friends and loved-ones for support and assistance.
- Ensure that all necessary appointments are scheduled.
- Find out whether the individual has transportation to get to clinic appointments. If not, make a workable transportation plan with/for the individual.
Goal: Build awareness about the danger of tobacco and non-prescription drug & alcohol use with Schizophrenia.
Possible Action Steps
- Discuss negative health effects of smoking and use of all other tobacco products.
- Highlight risk factors for drug and alcohol abuse in persons with Schizophrenia (e.g., negative health effects include increased symptoms of schizophrenia, especially positive symptoms; increased aggression/hostility, increased risk of medication non-adherence of prescriptions, etc.).
- Ask individual to talk about their current or past use of tobacco products, drugs or alcohol. Find out if the individual wants to quit.
- Together, make a plan to cut back on tobacco/drugs/alcohol in the upcoming week.
- Ask individual to commit to cutting back, even if just a small amount, in the upcoming week.