• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / Health Conditions / Schizophrenia / Words Matter: What to Say to Someone With Schizophrenia

Words Matter: What to Say to Someone With Schizophrenia

how to communicate with someone with schizophrenia

Practicing mental health counselors and counselors-in-training have better attitudes when referring to clients as “people with schizophrenia” rather than “schizophrenic,” according to a study published in the October issue of the Journal of Counseling & Development.

The researchers found that the attitudes of patients with schizophrenia were more authoritarian, more socially restrictive, and less benevolent with the use of the term “schizophrenic.”

“Language matters. The words we use can reduce stigma and improve the quality of care, Granello says in a statement. “The take-home message is clear — all people, even mental health professionals, are affected by the words and labels that we use. We now have empirical evidence that taking the time to utter a few more syllables and include the word ‘person’ has real potential to make a difference in the lives of our clients.”

RELATED: How to Help a Partner With Schizophrenia

You May Also Like
15 Natural Remedies for Aches and Pains

How to communicate with someone with schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia often suffer from hallucinations and delusions that can impact their communication skills. In order to have effective communication with someone with schizophrenia, you must meet them where they are instead of trying to “fix” them.

Try approaching your loved one with schizophrenia in the following ways, according to Healthline:

  • Acknowledge what your loved one may be feeling.
  • Actively listen to what they express they’re feeling, sensing, or hearing, regardless of whether it makes sense to you.
  • Ask them what you can do to help them right now — encouragement can help increase motivation.
  • Let your loved ones know you’re there for them whenever they’re ready to talk with you.
  • Have patience, and allow extra time for your loved ones to gather their thoughts if they wish to speak with you.

What not to say

As we’ve seen with the term “schizophrenic”, saying the wrong thing causes a person with schizophrenia to react in a negative way.

Here are a few more things you should never say to someone with schizophrenia:

You May Also Like
Bacon and other meats May Increase Your Risk for This Lung Disease

Continue Reading

The Latest In Schizophrenia

holiday blues

6 Strategies To Beat The Holiday Blues

The holiday season is usually the time of the year where spirits are high and most people are filled with joy and cheer. This is however not the case for everyone. For some, this time of the year causes stress, read more about 6 Strategies To Beat The Holiday Blues
schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is Becoming a Black Disease, Here’s Why…

Schizophrenia is a debilitating psychiatric condition, considered a psychotic thought disorder. Its symptoms involve a person’s emotions, behavior, attention, perception, and judgment. A psychotic disorder is one that involves hallucinations (i.e., a sensual perception such as seeing or hearing something read more about Schizophrenia is Becoming a Black Disease, Here’s Why…
dating someone with schizophrenia

6 Signs You’re Dating Someone With Schizophrenia

The dating scene can be difficult for anyone these days, but can you imagine dating someone with a mental disorder such as schizophrenia? Schizophrenia and relationships Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts, read more about 6 Signs You’re Dating Someone With Schizophrenia
can marijuana cause schizophrenia

Fact Check: Can Marijuana Use Induce Schizophrenia?

Numerous studies have correlated marijuana use to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a chronic brain condition that affects nearly 20 million people worldwide, causing substantial disability and a high burden of care. To what extent read more about Fact Check: Can Marijuana Use Induce Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia myths

4 Myths About Schizophrenia

According to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), Schizophrenia is defined as, “a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. It is a complex, long-term medical illness. read more about 4 Myths About Schizophrenia
schizophrenia test

New Blood Test May Spot Schizophrenia in Early Stages

Schizophrenia is a debilitating disease that can make navigating daily life a massive challenge. Black people who suffer from depression are more likely to be misdiagnosed with Schizophrenia. However, a new blood test could flag Schizophrenia in its early stages read more about New Blood Test May Spot Schizophrenia in Early Stages

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • The McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On LoveThe McGhee Sextuplets: A Family Built On Love
  • Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)Top 3 Mistakes Cooking Salmon (You Should Never Make Again)
  • Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: “Unresponsive, But Stable”Reality Star Hospitalized After Major Car Accident: "Unresponsive, But Stable"
  • Aleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech PathologistAleisha Allen: From Actress to Speech Pathologist
  • Black Don’t Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes ViralBlack Don't Crack: Mother Of 3 Photo Goes Viral

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2022, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.