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Discharge Instructions are details of how one should take care of themselves after getting appropriate medical care for a health problem. While following the discharge instructions is very crucial for any medical condition, it is all the more important for mental health conditions as many mental health disorders are episodic in nature and require continuous care.

In this blog, I have briefed the discharge instructions for Schizophrenia.

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that keeps you from clear thinking. It may also result in you seeing / hearing / feeling things that aren’t true.

How to care for yourself at home? (Discharge Instructions - Schizophrenia)

First step in caring for yourself at home is knowing how to care for yourself at home. So, ask your doctor very clearly what is to be done and what is not to be done. If you do not understand something that is being prescribed, do not hesitate to ask and clarify the same.

•  Ensure that you take the medications exactly as prescribed. The right medication should be taken at the right dosage at the right time. If you have difficulty in remembering, have the prescription by your side when you take the medications till you remember it. It is also a good idea to have a pill box with relevant details. If you are experiencing any side effects, reach out to your doctor. Please note that in many cases, the side effects disappear in a few days or weeks. Your body needs a certain time to adapt to the new regime.
• Now that the medicine part is clear, let’s come to the appointments. Make it a point to attend to all your review or followup appointments. If something urgent comes up on your appointment date, make sure you reschedule and complete the appointment within 2-3 days of the actual appointment. This includes regular consultations, therapy, counseling sessions, support groups, or appointments for medical treatments.
• Learn to cope and live with your illness. Depending on the mental health condition, its stage and severity, the possibility of recovery and cure varies. So, it is important that you use the counseling, therapy and consultation session to know the ways to cope with your illness on a routine basis so that you can aim for and lead a normal life in spite of the mental health condition.
• Most importantly, take care of yourself. Don’t consume alcohol. Start a physical activity like walking / jogging / yoga and make it a part of your routine. It helps you regulate your mood which is very important.
• Know what to do when you're stressed. Find healthy ways of handling the same. Talk with people, meditate, re-start a favorite hobby. Most importantly, get 8 hours of sleep every night.
• Seek the help of loved ones and friends to cope with the condition.
• Discuss with your doctor on how you can make the place where you live a safe one. Avoid having items like knives that can hurt yourselves or others.

Now that you are aware of the discharge instructions for Schizophrenia, I hope you can plan and ensure proper care at your home. Remember, even when you get the treatment for Schizophrenia from the best psychiatrist in your vicinity, the self care component is extremely crucial for coping with it in the best possible way.