When you are first diagnosed with schizophrenia it can be very difficult to accept and understand it. Sometimes the diagnosis comes after being hospitalized and that can be very traumatizing. Taking your medication as prescribed is very important. Medication accompanied by psychotherapy gets the best results. The following are indications that the condition is well-managed.
IMPROVEMENT OF SYMPTOMS
When you drink your medication exactly as prescribed, you will start seeing your symptoms decrease in intensity as well as frequency. You will have fewer psychotic episodes and that will improve every aspect of your life.
TAKE LESS DAYS OFF
Whether it be school or work, you take less days off when your condition is managed well. It is easy to fall behind at work at or school when you experience psychotic episodes. Less hospital admissions may also be a result of the condition being well-managed. One can establish a productive daily routine once the right combination of medication is found.
PREVENT COMPLICATIONS
You will have decreased risks of developing complications, such as developing a substance abuse problem, financial and legal issues. Managing your condition well can lead to less chances of needing more medication and, therefore, decrease the risk of developing side effects.
GOOD RELATIONSHIPS
One of the advantages of well-managed schizophrenia is being able to communicate with people around you. Psychotic episodes can negatively affect your relationships. You can mend these relationships and help people you love understand and support you adequately.
LESS STRESS
Feeling extremely uncertain about when the next psychotic episode will happen, can cause stress. When schizophrenia is unmanaged an episode can happen at any time. Not only is this stressful for you, but it can also be stressful for your loved ones. When you adhere to the proper treatment prescribed to you, you will have less stressful days and more days where you feel in control.
The aim is to live a life that is as unaffected by the diagnosis as possible, to feel that you have control again.
Written by Dr Ruusa Shivute | Health Window
Reference: Cheng SC, Schepp KG. Early Intervention in Schizophrenia: A Literature Review. Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2016 Dec;30(6):774-781
