Building a Caregiver Team When Living with Schizophrenia

When I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, there were people who absolutely loved and cared about me, but I didn't have a lot of people who I felt like I could trust. As is often the experience of those living with schizophrenia before I started treatment, my behavior and unexplained symptoms led to a growing distance between myself, friends and family. But as I learned how to manage my condition and the challenges that come with it, I made an an effort to let those who care about me back into my life and support me on this journey. When you live with schizophrenia, you face daily battles that aren't always seen by those around you, including the caregivers who provide invaluable support. And due to the nature of this illness, caregiver teams for people living with schizophrenia can look different and be more challenging to build than other conditions. Building them takes time, understanding and care. This is why I've chosen to work in the counseling field and be that support for others. It's an honor to hear the stories of people whose journeys look like mine, and I'm proud that I'm able to be part of their support system. I know how difficult it can be to face a schizophrenia diagnosis and live with this illness, but I hope people know that reaching out for help is the most important step of taking care of yourself. Living with schizophrenia can be an incredibly difficult journey. It's so important to have a caregiver team that you can trust and be open with about how you're feeling and the support you need. At Teva we're inspired by stories like Lesley's. She has gone through her own journey to build her support network and is now helping others to do the same.