Immediate families living with a

schizophrenic
By: Itzel Narvaez
 Families are the first people we interact with. A
mother, father, sister or brother are people we create a
bond with. They are our primary group. The people
who nurture us when we are babies. Who protect us
from danger. They help create our Self.
What if our mother or father or our siblings or
children have schizophrenia? The roles in the family
will have to change. It will affect them differently
than from living in a normal family.
What is schizophrenia?
 Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that causes the
patient to experience strange behavior, feelings and
unusual thoughts.
What causes schizophrenia?
may be caused by an imbalance of the chemicals on the
brain.
Genetics
Environmental
Schizophrenia affects approximately 2.4 million
American adults and 0.9% world population
Men and women equally at risk to develop the illness.
Schizophrenia usually emerges at the ages of 18-25
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
 Symptoms of schizophrenia can be divided into two
categories
Positive symptoms (adds behavior, feelings, thoughts)
Hallucinations
Auditory hallucinations
Visual hallucinations
Delusions
Self-aggrandizing delusion
Paranoid delusions
Thought Disorder
Disorganized thoughts
Blocking Disorder
Movement Disorder
Negative symptoms ( takes away behavior, feeling, thoughts)
Flat Affect
Loss of Motivation
Neglect of Hygiene
How it affects the family
members without schizophrenia
 Parents
If the parents child is diagnosed The story of Maisies mom
with schizophrenia they will be
worried, confused, and stressed.
The parents might even blame each
other. It will be challenging for the
parent to help out their child.
In the article caring for a
schizophrenic son, worrying about
the future, it tells about two
loving parents who care about their
schizophrenic child and do
anything to take care of him. At
first it was very difficult for them.
In many cases there are parents Caring for a
who will just give up because the schizophrenic son,
pressure is too much for them. worrying about the
future
Siblings
Growing up with a schizophrenic
brother
The sibling of a schizophrenic has
a different affect than the parents.
In the article The effect of
schizophrenia on siblings she
said she felt frighten, confused,
and emotionally disconnected.
Siblings are even embarrassed of
their schizophrenic brother/sister.
They dont show up to their
house as often or bring their
friends over.
They are afraid they might turn
out like them.
In some cases the siblings
actually care for them and help
them out.
Children
Children often have it harder if one
of their parents have schizophrenia. Growing up with a schizophrenic
Parent
In the article Growing up with a
schizophrenic mom , she explains
how her and her brother were
constantly moving from house to
house because her mother thought
people were out to get her. She also
said she was made fun of in school
because of her mother.
Children sometimes feel
embarrassed of their parent and
often blame them. Sometimes they
are afraid of their parent because
they dont know what is going on.
What to do if you have a
schizophrenic family member
 Get yourself educated about the mental illness
Encourage them to get treatment
Get medication and encourage them to take it
Do not try to convince them that their beliefs are
wrong/ not real
Be calm, listen to them
Do not get frustrated
Care for them. Help them feel safe.
Do not give up on them
Prepare for any breakdowns
Empower them
Take care of yourself too
Functionalist Theory Analysis
In some cases when people figure out their family
member is diagnose with schizophrenia they all help
out.
They try to make the environmental better for the
schizophrenic.
They seek help to get better treatment for the
schizophrenic
The schizophrenic might take his medication to
relieve the burden from the other
They all contribute to make it easier for each other
Conflict Theory Analysis
Other siblings may not get the attention they need.
The children wouldnt get to enjoy their childhood as
much.
The parents may give up on them and send them off
to a hospital.
The schizophrenic might not want to get treatment or
medication.
There would be family problems if no one
contributes.
Conclusion
Society pities families that live with a schizophrenic.
They see it as something very dreadful.
Many more people have an idea what schizophrenia
is so now if families have someone like that they
know what to do.
Schizophrenia is nobodies fault and they should be
cared for by their loved ones. They did not asked to
be ill nor to be a burden to their families.
Work Cited
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZRY1gtPte4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_MFpzWHKGk
https://www.invegasustenna.com/about-schizophrenia/schizophrenia-symptoms
"Caring For A Schizophrenic Son, Worrying About The Future." Weekend Edition Sunday, 24
Nov. 2013. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, login.ezp.pasadena.edu/login?
url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A350610606/OVIC?u=pasa19871&xid=f7b727e3.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2017.
Simon, Clea. "The Effect of Schizophrenia on Siblings." Schizophrenia, edited by Scott
Barbour, Greenhaven Press, 2002. Contemporary Issues Companion. Opposing Viewpoints in
Context, login.ezp.pasadena.edu/login?
url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010204224/OVIC?u=pasa19871&xid=5bdc0761.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2017. Originally published in Mad House: Growing Up in the Shadow of
Mentally Ill Siblings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnYmPuWW4Ds&t=39s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LyQ2vgpy2E
Growing Up With A Schizophrenic Mom." Morning Edition, 5 Nov. 2010. Opposing
Viewpoints in Context, login.ezp.pasadena.edu/login?
url=http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A241372094/OVIC?u=pasa19871&xid=1170cdd2.
Accessed 24 Mar. 2017.
https://www.helpguide.org/articles/schizophrenia/helping-a-person-with-schizophrenia.htm