Challenges of Caring for Someone With Schizophrenia
Reviewed by: HU Medical Review Board | Last reviewed: August 2023
Being a caregiver is an important job. And it can be very rewarding. However, caregiving has challenges. This is especially true when you are supporting someone with a complex condition like schizophrenia.1
Each person’s situation has different obstacles. Physical location, financial status, symptom severity, and more can all play a role in how difficult caregiving may be. Below, you will find some common examples of challenges you may face and ideas for managing them.1,2
Information overload
A great first step in becoming a caregiver is researching the health condition your loved one has been diagnosed with. Because it is rare, you may not know much about schizophrenia. Try to learn and understand the basics around symptoms, treatment, and progression. This can help you best prepare for what comes next. It also will give you ideas for questions to ask your loved one’s healthcare team.1-4
But as you learn, beware of information overload. Especially with social media and the internet, this can happen quickly. You may become easily overwhelmed by lots of technical terms and complex information. You may also stumble upon information that is not accurate. This can lead to frustration and feeling unprepared to care for your loved one.1-3
One way to avoid information overload is to pick a handful of respected websites and stick to them. You can ask your loved one’s doctor what sites they recommend. National mental health organizations are great places to start, including:5
Limited resources
Caregiving for someone else is hard when one or both of you have limited resources. These resources may include:1,2,6
- Transportation
- Housing
- Money
- Health insurance
Time is also a resource that can be limited. If you have a job or care for multiple people, you may struggle to find time for it all. You may not be able to attend doctor’s appointments during the day or help your loved one with daily tasks.1,2,6
A great option to help you navigate these challenges is a case manager or social worker. Many healthcare clinics have these experts on staff. Case managers can directly connect you with options for support. These options may include access to safe housing, food, or supplies.1,7
Social workers can also connect you with resources. But social workers have more therapy or counseling training. They can work with you, your loved one, and your family as a whole. They will help create plans to deal with challenges and meet the needs of you and your loved one.1,7
Changes to your daily life and routines
Before becoming a caregiver, you may have had a set routine. This routine might need to be adjusted, or it might no longer be possible. If your loved one’s symptoms are not well controlled or need extra attention, you may struggle to plan each day in advance. This can be very distressing for some caregivers.2,8
Embracing flexibility can be a challenge. But family or individual therapy can help you learn how to cope with changes. Having a plan for what to do in a crisis situation can provide some comfort and security, too. A crisis plan is an action plan that you, your loved one, other family members, and the healthcare team have all agreed upon.3,9
A crisis plan outlines what steps you will take if caring for your loved one becomes unsafe. This shift may be due to sudden, severe psychosis symptoms, like delusions or hallucinations. Your crisis plan also applies to times you think your loved one might hurt themselves or someone else.9
Fear of unpredictable behavior
When people with schizophrenia have periods of psychosis, others may feel anxious around them. Negative stereotypes about people with schizophrenia being violent also may make you fearful or wary. But people with schizophrenia usually are not violent. In fact, they are more likely to have acts of violence committed against them than commit those acts themselves.9,10
You also may worry that your loved one will need to be hospitalized when symptoms arise. But it is a misconception that people with schizophrenia need to be hospitalized all the time. It is very possible that your loved one will never need to be hospitalized for their symptoms.10
Being in tune with your loved one’s symptoms and any changes is important. You should tell their healthcare team as soon as you notice symptoms. But there is no need to live in fear. This is especially true if you are working closely with your loved one and their healthcare team over the long term.10
Caregiver burnout
One of the biggest challenges of caregiving is burnout. When you take care of others, it can be easy to forget to take care of yourself. You may miss out on hobbies, trips, or social activities in order to go to doctor’s appointments or help with daily tasks. Being a caregiver can take a big toll on your mental, emotional, and physical health.1,2
Making a commitment to self-care and seeking support is key to preventing burnout. Schedule time for yourself to do the things you enjoy. This can be as simple as setting aside a few minutes a day to go for a walk or read a book. It could also be more formal, like having your own therapist or support group to talk with. This self-care will put you in the best shape possible to take care of someone else.1,2,11
If there is another loved one or potential caregiver available to help you, ask them to. You can split up tasks and keep things manageable for both of you. It is okay to ask for help, especially when it leads to the best care for others.1