Updated December 30, 2014.

Coping with any chronic disease is difficult. Coping with a chronic disease that makes it difficult to work, study or have meaningful relationships is even harder. Schizophrenia can make you feel inadequate, followed, fearful, anxious, worthless, wonder what is real and what is not. When things are good you might experience only few of these problems. But when things are not good you can expect to face most of the above symptoms.

How can you cope with all this?

Prepare

Remember that many times the symptoms of schizophrenia come and go. When things are good make sure you spend time with people who care about you but also meet people and make friends. The people you can trust are essential resources in times of need. Make sure that your family members and friends understand that you might cross some stormy waters in the future and, when that will happen, you will like to rely on them for support.

Trust your doctor!

Your doctor decides about your treatment based on the information you shared. Your treatment will be only as good as the information you gave your doctor about your symptoms and experiences. If you will tell the doctor that everything is ok because the voices instruct you to do so, there is a chance that your doctor take your word for it. Believe it or not, doctors, and yes, that includes psychiatrists and other types of mental health workers, are not good at mind reading. By being open you can help your doctor get "it" so that in turn he can help you feel better.

Allow your doctor to talk to people who know you well

The more information your doctor has about what is going on, the better his recommendations for treatment will be. At times, due to your symptoms, you might not be able to give the doctors all the information they need for a good assessment; when that is that case it is very important to have someone else fill in the picture.