While many African Americans might be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia each year, the fact remains that more than 16% of Black people have reported dealing with some form of mental illness.
If you are among those living with schizophrenia, it’s important to know how to take care of yourself. Schizophrenia is a lifelong illness so the right self-care tips are what you’ll need to keep living a healthy life.
Maintain Open Communication With Your Doctor
Having been diagnosed with schizophrenia, your doctor would have placed you on a regimen of medication.
This regimen, however, is not set in stone. Most schizophrenics will have their medications changed or dosages tweaked over time.
If you suspect that your symptoms are changing or have been getting worse, it’s essential to let your doctor know. Additionally, always ask your doctor about side effects and any emergency signs that you need to stop taking a specific drug.
Develop Healthy Lifestyle Habits
As your medication is doing its work, you can complement that by taking care of yourself. Health experts recommend staying away from cigarettes, reducing your alcohol intake, getting regular exercise, and sleeping well.
While there isn’t a suggested diet for persons with schizophrenia, foods that are high in antioxidants, lean protein, and healthy fats have been shown to support proper mental health.
Get The Support System You Need
Even with medical intervention, it’s hard to effectively handle schizophrenia on your own. That’s where your support structure comes into play. Typically, a good support system will include close friends, loved ones, or a therapist.
Apart from listening to you when you’re having issues with your disorder, they can also provide helpful feedback if you’re not performing well in social situations or are showing the initial signs of a relapse.
Learn The Signs Of A Relapse
Sources show that a relapse can still happen in 20% of persons who are following their treatment program. It’s best to tackle the problem as soon as it appears by seeing your doctor right away.
Things will only get worse if you wait to get assessed. When having a relapse, you’ll see a flare-up of your typical schizophrenia symptoms.
In the beginning, you may see changes in how you sleep, eat, or manage everyday social interactions.
Practice Stress Management Daily
Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your physical and mental well-being. Persons who are dealing with schizophrenia need to have more detailed stress management skills than others.
It’s helpful to have relaxing activities or techniques that you use even when you’re not feeling stressed. Having hobbies that take your mind off stressful areas of your life will also be effective.
Some persons have gotten great results from keeping a journal about what’s stressing them out and how they can possibly deal with the issues. Don’t forget to lean on your support system as well.
Schizophrenia can completely disrupt your life. It doesn’t mean that you can’t manage the illness, though. By taking care of your overall health and communicating openly with all the persons involved in your care, you will be able to have a fulfilling life.