Caregivers: Be Ready For a Relapse

If your loved one has schizophrenia, it’s important to be prepared in the event a relapse or acute psychotic episode occurs. Unfortunately, relapse among people with schizophrenia is common. Encouraging your loved one to take his or her antipsychotic medications regularly can greatly reduce the risk of relapse, but it isn’t foolproof. Having a crisis plan in place is necessary to ensure that if an event happens, your loved one gets the help he or she needs.

How to Put Together a Plan

A crisis plan gives you the resources and tools to make quick decisions if your loved one is at risk. And it offers comfort to everyone involved that there is an agreed-upon plan to follow. It’s important that the person who struggles with schizophrenic symptoms be involved in developing the plan, since it gives the person a voice in how he or she is cared for.

A crisis plan should include:

• Symptoms that indicate your loved one is no longer in control. Examples include not sleeping, social withdrawal, increasing paranoia, deteriorating personal hygiene, and/or increasing hostility.

• A list of people your loved one has chosen to care for him or her in the event of a crisis.

• Emergency contact names and numbers, including doctors, therapists, and the police. Remember, if your loved one is very ill and not willing to go to the hospital, professional backup and support may be needed. In those cases, call 911.

• The address and phone number of the hospital to go to for emergency psychiatric admission. Hospitalization may be necessary to help your loved one regain control from a psychotic episode and to ensure his or her safety.

• An emergency medical form that includes a list of medications your loved one is taking and any allergies.

• A list of friends or relatives who have agreed to take care of children, other dependents, or pets during the crisis.

• A list of things people should do to help your loved one feel better. Examples may include speaking with a calm voice, allowing him or her to pace, turning on music, avoiding physical contact, listening without criticizing, and avoiding eye contact.

Review the Plan Together

Once the plan is created, make copies and keep it handy. Review the plan with everyone involved, including your loved one. Remember, people with schizophrenia are rarely dangerous, even during a psychotic episode. But a crisis plan is a positive tool to help transition out of a crisis as smoothly and quickly as possible.

SAMPLE CRISIS PLAN

Note: Sample plan adapted from Mental Health America.