Nervous about male client with Schizophrenia. SEEKING INFORMATION/EXPERIENCE OF CONDITION

@Aniela

I am really sorry you have been put in this position and it shows some of the poverty of trainings around MH, and thus, the service delivery

Without knowing you or the human you are supposed to help, but having had a lot of experience over the years with different people with schizophrenia ... here are some ideas:

Dont worry too much, anxiety fuels anxiety, and def talk with a supervisor...

In the sense that if the person is actively psychotic ...and you should be able to tell that ... it may not be the wisest to have them in the front seat, but many people have that diagnosis and experience a range of mental states in daily life, from quite calm and capable of driving themselves ... it all depends on the individual. Maybe back seat might be better, until you get to know them better. Ask them if they feel safe or are in the midst of struggling with hallucinations and what type of hallucinations they typically experience.... it should give you some idea.

Hmmmm. I'm wondering how much of this is the relational chemistry. Sometimes it's as much about different people as it is different conditions. I'm also wondering what this client felt like before the diagnosis was communicated and whether it was a surprise.

Hey @Aniela

I have been in this position before and to be honest, from my experience, you can get a sense of how the person is feeling fairly quickly by how reactive they are too simple questions such as "how are you feeling today?" and just talking about things present such as the weather, interesting things around you etc. Facial expressions and body language will give you indicators as well if they are having internal conversations.

However, can I point out the ABC episode of you can't ask that as a simple reference point?

https://iview.abc.net.au/video/LE1717H006S00

Are you generally aware you're having hallucinations? And wouldn't it feel like a rejection if I asked them to sit in the back seat of the car? And make them more aggitated?

Why why why why is this condition so misunderstood 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

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@Aniela wrote:

Can you educate me?

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Not tonight sorry, I'm in a very dark headspace. Thank you for asking @Aniela

Sorry if I upset you

Hi @Aniela I think it's really resourceful of you to come here to SANE to ask this question. To me this shows how much you care in seeking info from people with more experience. I see you as conscientious to seek to be better prepared for your professional service to this client.

I'd like to tag @Bunniekins who has a lot of experience with schizophrenia.

I am mates with one man who has schizo-affective disorder. I believe this is a combination of schizophrenia and bipolar. He is truly a darling in so many ways, a great hugger! I am not close to him but see him semi-regularly at a community event. We often talk about mental health matters (I am diagnosed bipolar). We are both at these events because we love writing.

As another member said earlier, it really depends a lot on the individual, who they are aside from their diagnosis.

Perhaps there's someone at your workplace, a more experienced person, who could give you some ideas of care strategies when people are in different states of mind, asking for skill sharing in that way, from fellow support workers, or a supervisor, for example.

It seems to me that your workplace should have some kind of duty of care for your safety and it would be valid to seek more information and guidance.

Well wishes.

@Aniela Hi I have schizoaffective disorder and when I am seeing or hearing things sometimes I can tell that others aren’t sharing my experiences but it depends on what it is like if I am seeing shadow people normally I assume no one else is seeing that because they aren’t reacting to it or because it isn’t something most people talk about seeing often. Other times it is confusing but it really depends. Honestly when things are really bad for me and everything is very intense I tend to shut down and go very quiet so wouldn’t likely cause an accident. But it depends everyone is different but I don’t believe you should be sacred most people with schizophrenia are just that, people.