An innocent moment between a baby and a tiny kitten — a pure glimpse of natural childhood Image Courtesy: AI-generated illustration. 🌼 Introduction Children have always been symbols of purity. Their smiles, their innocent eyes, their tiny movements, their first steps, and their sweet babbling are moments that enrich the lives of parents and fill their homes with joy. But today, a serious question troubles my mind: How will the innocence of children survive in this modern lifestyle? We see very young children losing their natural innocence far earlier than they sho...
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🎗Schizophrenia and Relatives' Behaviour
When a loved one struggles with schizophrenia, the entire family feels the impact — emotionally, mentally, and socially. I have personally seen how misunderstanding and fear can make relationships even harder. But with awareness, empathy, and patience, families can create a more positive environment for recovery. In this blog, I share simple insights that can help relatives understand and support better.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness. The word comes from Greek, meaning “split mind.” It affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviour. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 24 million people worldwide are affected, which is about 1 in 300 people.
Despite being rare, schizophrenia is often misunderstood. Many people are unaware of the symptoms and treatment, leading to delayed diagnosis and additional suffering. It can occur at any age and has genetic links. Treatment usually requires long-term medical supervision and medication.
I am not a psychiatrist. I am simply sharing my observations of how relatives, acquaintances, and society react to this illness. These are reflections based on real-life cases, but with names and details kept aside. Some points may be right or wrong — but worth thinking about.
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The First Struggle
When a family realizes that a member may have schizophrenia, the journey begins with the first psychiatrist visit.
The patient usually resists going to the hospital.Family members struggle and use different methods to bring them.
Doctors need to stay alert so the patient does not run away.This initial stage itself is a big emotional challenge.
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Harsh Social Reaction
Relatives’ first thoughts often are:
“Leave her or he”
“Divorce him.”
Is this the response of a modern, intellectual society? These reactions show our insensitivity.
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Family Worries
Beyond the patient, family members worry about:
Who will take care in the future?
How to afford medicines and treatment?
Sadly, extended relatives rarely show readiness to help financially or emotionally.
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Unwanted Advice
Without knowledge, people advise:
“Do BA.BCOM”
“Take a job.”
“Get married.”
But very few take the effort to listen with love, behave patiently, and give comfort.
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Marriage Pressure
If the patient is a girl, guests shamelessly give advice about marriage. This reflects the double standards of our so-called modern society.
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Misinformation and Fear
Information about schizophrenia is limited. Wrong stories spread by relatives create fear and confusion, damaging both the patient’s and the family’s mindset.
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🕯️ Living in the Shadow of Stigma
One of the heaviest burdens faced by families of individuals with schizophrenia is the weight of social stigma. People often whisper, avoid eye contact, or even create distance once they learn someone in the family has a mental illness. Relatives silently carry this invisible label, sometimes feeling ashamed or judged. This stigma not only hurts the person with the condition but also makes families hesitant to seek help. Silence becomes their shield, but deep inside, they long for understanding and acceptance from society.
Families with schizophrenia patients are often looked at with disdain.Close relatives avoid contact.
Talking to the patient is treated as a low priority.This stigma worsens the problem.
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🤲The Silent Caregivers
Behind every patient is usually a mother, father, sibling, or spouse who takes on the role of caregiver. These caregivers sacrifice sleep, personal dreams, and sometimes even their own mental health while standing by their loved one. The constant fear of relapse, the pressure of ensuring medication is taken, and the responsibility of watching over unpredictable behaviour can be overwhelming. Many caregivers live a dual life—outwardly trying to stay strong, but inwardly exhausted and emotionally drained.
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💰Financial and Emotional Struggles
Schizophrenia treatment is not just about therapy and medicine; it often means long-term financial commitment. Hospital visits, counselling, and medications add up, stretching the family budget. Relatives also struggle with guilt—some blame themselves, some question fate, and some constantly worry about the future. Emotional strain often leads to conflicts within families, because not everyone carries the burden equally. This imbalance can cause frustration, resentment, and loneliness, yet love often keeps them tied together in the fight.
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Social Avoidance
Spending time with the patient is seen as a burden.
Walking or talking with them is avoided — forgetting that anyone could face mental illness in life.
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Superstitions and Exploitation
In societies where superstition is strong.
Patients are taken to sorcerers or tantriks instead of psychiatrist.
This worsens the disease and increases suffering.
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Media Misuse
Television serials and movies exploit mental illness for TRP.
Patients are shown as “mad.”
Superstition is mixed into stories.
This increases fear and misconceptions about schizophrenia.
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Impact on Small Families
In today’s nuclear families, even one schizophrenic patient can shake the entire family system. Relatives, except for rare exceptions, do not think about this.
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The Need for Compassion and Support
What relatives often need the most is not sympathy but genuine compassion. A kind word, a listening ear, or even a simple “I understand” can lighten their load. Community support groups and awareness campaigns can play a vital role in breaking isolation. When families realize they are not alone, the hopelessness slowly turns into courage. Society has the power to either deepen their wounds or help them heal, and that choice lies in collective awareness.
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🌱Holding on to Hope
Despite the struggles, many families discover a hidden strength within themselves. They celebrate small victories—like a day without conflict, a smile from their loved one, or progress in therapy—as if they were miracles. This journey is not easy, but it teaches resilience, patience, and unconditional love. Relatives often say that while schizophrenia changed their lives forever, it also showed them the true meaning of empathy and the value of human connection.
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📢Awareness
Raising awareness about schizophrenia is as important as medical care. 🌍 Schools, workplaces, and communities must learn that it is not a curse or weakness, but a health condition that needs understanding. Public talks, media campaigns, and open conversations can reduce fear and stigma, replacing them with empathy and informed support. 🤝
It is the need of the hour, Psychiatrists and counselors, NGOs and health departments State, national, and international institutions to spread correct awareness about schizophrenia.
Along with medication and counseling, there must be continuous public education. Otherwise, World Schizophrenia Awareness Day (May 24) will remain only a symbolic ritual.
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🌸Final Thought
Schizophrenia is not just a patient’s problem; it is a family and social issue.With Empathy, empathy, knowledge,awareness and supportive behaviour💖, the journey can become easier and more hopeful.🌱
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Your Thoughts Matter!
Have you ever seen how relatives react to a mental illness like schizophrenia?
Share your views in the comments section.
Spread Awareness!
If this post was meaningful, please share it with your friends and family.
Together, we can fight stigma.
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👉 Read also: Read also: Are We Truly Living or Just Existingl
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A good post, and all very valid points. Now there is a lot more awareness about such mental health issues. But unfortunately, we still don't live in an ideal world and, like you pointed out, the worst part is that relatives and close friends, who should actually be helpful, turn out to be not so.
ReplyDeleteI have seen parents suggesting many of the options that you have already listed. It is sad, but unfortunately, true.
Only hope is that with more and more awareness, there will be a change, sooner than later.
(My latest post: Real-world lessons from younger folks)