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<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeFocus HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">Relapse of Schizophrenia</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-aa48178_sec"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="b4cb0a40" fingerprint-exact="e7c3d1bb">Overview</h2><h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="3d34eefb" fingerprint-exact="f33b841a">Preventing a relapse</h3><p fingerprint="ebbca6ab" fingerprint-exact="a9e14ebb">When you have schizophrenia, your symptoms can sometimes come back. This is called a relapse. There are things you can do to help prevent a relapse.</p><ul fingerprint="74912795" fingerprint-exact="db99b7ad"><li>Be active in your own recovery. Work with your doctor and take care of yourself. </li><li>Take your medicine, even if you're feeling better. Not taking medicine is the main cause of relapse. </li><li>Talk to your doctor about your medicines. If side effects are making your life hard, talk with your doctor to see whether you can try a different medicine. Your doctor may be able to change the medicine or how much you take. </li><li>Stay in counseling or therapy. Go to your sessions, and continue with your recovery plan. </li><li>Get support from family. If your doctor recommends family therapy, be sure to have all family members attend each session. </li><li>Join a self-help or support group. Self-help and support groups are usually run by the members of the group, not health professionals. </li><li>Find ways to reduce stress in your life. </li><li>Avoid drinking alcohol or using drugs. </li><li>Learn how to recognize the first signs of relapse. And share them with your friends and family. Have a plan for what you'll do when you notice signs, and get help right away. Common signs of relapse include: <ul><li>Staying away from or not being interested in other people. </li><li>Forgetting things. </li><li>Having problems concentrating. </li><li>Daydreaming. </li><li>Not paying attention to what is going on. </li></ul></li></ul><h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="872f7276" fingerprint-exact="aa84dc8b">Relapse action plan</h3><p fingerprint="4efaf59c" fingerprint-exact="fe1f8f98">An action plan says in writing what you can do to help prevent a relapse of schizophrenia and what you need to do if you have signs of a relapse. You will need the help of others to get through a relapse. </p><p fingerprint="d14d1af3" fingerprint-exact="f06645cc">An action plan also lists the general signs of a relapse and those that may be special to you.</p><ul fingerprint="c5ed7d6a" fingerprint-exact="fbb565b5"><li>Write down the common signs of a relapse. They include: <ul><li>Staying away from or not being interested in other people. </li><li>Forgetting things. </li><li>Having problems concentrating. </li><li>Daydreaming. </li><li>Not paying attention to what is going on. </li></ul></li><li>Work with your doctor to find out if you have any special relapse signs. </li></ul><p fingerprint="94b7bec5" fingerprint-exact="1fa48d32">An action plan lists things that need to be taken care of during a relapse. Think about:</p><ul fingerprint="bdd9b5d3" fingerprint-exact="01912eac"><li>Who will take care of your children if you have any. </li><li>Who will manage your money and finances. </li><li>Which hospital or other facility you'd like to go to. </li><li>Who to tell if you have a relapse. </li></ul><p fingerprint="b4c3e7b4" fingerprint-exact="f7ba7864">Action plans also can include legal documents. Write these when you have few or no symptoms, and ask your doctor and lawyer to help you.</p><ul fingerprint="576e5869" fingerprint-exact="02ab100f"><li>An advance directive tells your wishes for treatment during a relapse. It can be very useful if you have severe symptoms of fear or suspicion of others during a relapse. </li><li>A durable power of attorney says who will be in charge of making decisions when you can't decide things yourself. This document is very helpful if you refuse treatment during a relapse when you would otherwise accept it. </li><li>A power of attorney lets you choose someone to help you deal with money during a relapse. Find someone you trust to co-sign financial documents, such as credit card applications or mortgages, to protect yourself financially while you are having a relapse. </li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionRelatedInformation" id="sec-aa48178-RelInfo"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="d5f858e0" fingerprint-exact="c0ffe04b">Related Information</h2><ul fingerprint="d34788f2" fingerprint-exact="1f234b6c"><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Major" data-hw-document-href="aa46937" data-hw-section="aco6091" hw:document-type="Major" hw:document-href="aa46937" data-hwid="aa46937" hw:section-href="aco6091" href="?id=aa46937#aco6091">Schizophrenia</a></li><li class="HwOptionalAny"><a data-hw-type="Focus" data-hw-document-href="aa48198" data-hw-section="aa48198_sec" hw:document-type="Focus" hw:document-href="aa48198" data-hwid="aa48198" hw:section-href="aa48198_sec" href="?id=aa48198#aa48198_sec">Schizophrenia: Social Skills Training</a></li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwCreditsSection HwCreditsWithoutNavstack HwSectionCredits" id="sec-aa48178-Credits"><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Credits</h2><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span> July 31, 2024</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</span></a><br><span><b><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Clinical Review Board</span></a></b></span><br>All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"> 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