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Treatment for negative schizophrenia

Brownie7Casual Contributor28 Oct 2026, 6:30 pm AEDT

Treatment for negative schizophrenia

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has witnessed any type of treatment working for negative symptoms of schizophrenia (such as severe avolition, social withdrawal and lack of speech)? I have a complicated relationship with someone I deeply care about & have a romantic history with, but he won't take medication or accept professional help in any form. His mother and I are the only people in his life at the moment, however I had to come back to Australia recently (he lives in another country) and I feel extremely helpless.

He was hospitalised for the first time in April this year for 4 months (on medication), and has now been discharged for 3 months (stopped taking meds). When I am with him, especially for prolonged periods, I see his personality come back - we talk and laugh as if there is no illness. It has been a month since I left and I hear that he barely speaks anymore and has basically turned nocturnal.

I am worried that he is regressing and it feels like all we can do is watch as things get worse. I don't know if I made a mistake leaving him. He will not say it. He will go outside (albeit reluctantly) and be more social and active with my encouragement in a way that he will not with anyone else. Yet even with me there, I could not convince him to take the necessary steps to get back on his feet - such as fixing his phone, recovering his passport & email, accepting professional help, etc. I don't know what to do. I had to leave because I couldn't find English-speaking work in his country and my unemployment/lack of autonomy was starting to really affect my mental health (as well as his refusal to accept treatment).

Yet being apart also affects my mental health a lot, especially knowing that things are getting worse for him. It's incredibly lonely without him, but if I knew that he was doing ok it wouldn't be so bad. The goodbye was extremely difficult. I left with the intention of focusing on my career and financially recovering a bit before returning, but when I don't know.

He stopped medication as soon as he was discharged from hospital, against doctors' advice. It doesn't seem like any positive symptoms have returned yet, but the negative symptoms continue to persist and seemingly get worse. What does the trajectory of someone in this situation look like? Can anyone with negative schizophrenia actually make meaningful recovery without medication? I don't know how to adjust my expectations and how best to help him. The first signs of delusion I noticed in him were in early 2024 and it took a severe turn in mid 2025 before being hospitalised this year. Is functional recovery at all possible for him?

I appreciate any advice or personal recounts.

5 replies

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In response to: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

2026Contributor28 Oct 2026, 6:55 pm AEDT

Re: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

Hi I'm trying to help my son who is resistant to help I just wanted to say what a beautiful caring person you are and I wish you and your friend all the best, I hope he gets well.

In response to: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

JynxModerator28 Oct 2026, 9:12 pm AEDT

Re: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

Hey @Brownie7 I'm sorry to hear how challenging it has been but I think this person is lucky to have someone so kind and caring in their life.

Recovery for schizophrenia will look different for everyone and it can take time to find the right balance with medications and supports. It is definitely possible to recover functionality and live a full life.

Keep holding onto hope, and of course please don't hesitate to get some support for yourself along the way too.

In response to: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

RadderSenior Contributor28 Oct 2026, 10:07 pm AEDT

Re: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

Hi @Brownie7 it's a common problem that people refuse their meds. I can only speak to the Australian context - unless there is risk of harm to self or others, he can't be forcibly treated. He needs to want treatment.

The traditional Western medical approach is mainly meds, but as @Jynx mentioned other supports are important too - this is the basis of the Open Dialogue movement as explained here: https://opendialoguecentre.org.au/the-issues/ and in more detail here: https://imhcn.org/bibliography/recent-innovations-and-good-practices/open-dialogue

So if there is an Open Dialogue centre in his country they may be a more acceptable alternative to him: https://www.dialogoaperto.com/centersList

However, the priority is your own mental health - you can help him better if you are well yourself (the old "fit your own oxygen mask first before helping others"). Do you have support and therapy options?

In response to: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

AppleblossomSenior Contributor28 Oct 2026, 11:42 pm AEDT

Re: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

@Brownie7

I have known a lot of people with so called Schizophrenia, Yes, many diagnosed individuals have different outcomes and can work and study and live fully. The most important thing is that they are treated as a whole person, not just a diagnosis.

You said

"When I am with him, especially for prolonged periods, I see his personality come back - we talk and laugh as if there is no illness." I think that is beautiful and revealing.

Ultimately I believe the symptoms are caused by trauma, but not necessarily caused by the parents. We shouldnt get too simplistic about etiology. The science is not conclusive about experiences of distress and despair and dissociation.

Being a carer, we want to trust the experts, but I believe it is worth looking around and doing your own research as well. Medications may alleviate some symptoms, but your friend was hospitalised whilst taking his meds. Psych meds are not a treatment in the sense of Bloodpressure medication. True treatment looks at life and emotion, psychosocial circumstances and helping the person to flourish.

Good luck

In response to: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

Dk5Senior Contributor29 Oct 2026, 1:38 pm AEDT

Re: Treatment for negative schizophrenia

@Brownie7 he should be taking meds but thats not up to anyone but his treating team. I don't think its possible to come off them unless equipped with a power house of tool's.

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