Schizophrenia Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, December 2008.
Answers to questions about schizophrenia
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- What should I do if I think my friend has schizophrenia?
- Are people with schizophrenia dangerous?
- Should people with schizophrenia drive a car?
What should I do if I think my friend has schizophrenia?
If you have noticed a change in your friend's behaviour or thinking patterns and you're concerned that he or she has schizophrenia, there are several things you can do to help.
Explanation
If you're worried that your friend has schizophrenia, you may have noticed changes in his or her social behaviour. There are a number of signs that could suggest your friend has schizophrenia. He or she may:
- become anxious
- feel depressed or have suicidal thoughts
- have difficulty concentrating
- become suspicious
- change his or her sleep pattern
- become overly friendly or very distant
- have unusual new ideas or thoughts that make little sense
- become paranoid or have hallucinations
It's important that you talk to your friend and seek medical help early to ensure that he or she recovers quickly. You may find it difficult to talk to your friend at first because he or she may be anxious or frightened. You must remain calm and think about how you would feel in his or her situation. You should encourage your friend to seek professional medical help and offer to book the appointment or accompany your friend on his or her first visit.
It might be useful for you to get help before you confront your friend. You could speak with your GP. It can be helpful to find out more information about schizophrenia so that you're aware of what your friend is going through.
Further information
- Mind (National Association for Mental Health)
0845 766 0163
www.mind.org.uk - Rethink
0845 456 0455
www.rethink.org
Sources
- Cause for concern. Rethink. www.rethink.org, accessed 22 August 2008
- Schizophrenia. The Royal College of Psychiatrists. www.rcpsych.ac.uk, accessed 22 August 2008
- Understanding schizophrenia. Mind. www.mind.org.uk, accessed 22 August 2008
Are people with schizophrenia dangerous?
No, people with schizophrenia are not often dangerous. Occasionally schizophrenia can make people feel angry or upset. This can cause violent outbursts and some people may become threatening or even lash out.
Explanation
People with schizophrenia are more likely to be harmed by other people than to cause harm or become dangerous to someone else. It's common for people with schizophrenia to hear critical or unfriendly voices. Many people are frightened by those who hear voices because they don't understand how the person is feeling. These voices can advise the person with schizophrenia to kill himself or herself rather than harm someone else.
If the person with schizophrenia is admitted to hospital, the staff will make every effort to keep the atmosphere relaxed and calm. The staff are trained to control the situation if things get out of hand and ensure the person with schizophrenia calms down by talking to him or her. Doctors may suggest the person with schizophrenia takes medication to control his or her anger and violence. This medicine is taken by mouth or can be injected if the person refuses to swallow the tablet.
Further information
- Mind (National Association for Mental Health)
0845 766 0163
www.mind.org.uk
Sources
- Schizophrenia. The Royal College of Psychiatrists. www.rcpsych.ac.uk, accessed 22 August 2008
- Schizophrenia: core interventions in the treatment and management of schizophrenia in primary and secondary care. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), 2002. www.nice.org.uk
- Understanding schizophrenia. Mind. www.mind.org.uk, accessed 22 August 2008
Should people with schizophrenia drive a car?
It depends on the severity of the illness and whether or not the person has any side-effects from their medication.
Explanation
People who are ill with schizophrenia should notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and stop driving during any acute episode of schizophrenia.
Once the person has remained stable for at least three months, he or she can drive. If he or she is taking antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia, it's important that he or she doesn't have any side-effects from the medication such as poor concentration and tiredness as this could impair driving. Specialist mental health services can carry out a detailed assessment to ensure that the person is fit to drive.
If a person continues to have symptoms of schizophrenia, he or she can apply for re-licensing but only if the symptoms don't affect his or her concentration or cause short attention span. If he or she is distracted while driving, it could affect other drivers and pedestrians and be very dangerous.
Further information
- Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency
0870 240 0009
www.dvla.gov.uk
Sources
- Schizophrenia. Management. What advice should I give about driving? Clinical Knowledge Summaries. www.cks.library.nhs.uk, accessed 26 August 2008
- At a glance. Guide to the current medical standards of fitness to drive. Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, 2008. www.dvla.gov.uk
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Bupa doctors. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: December 2008
Schizophrenia factsheet
Visit the schizophrenia health factsheet for more information.
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