FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND SCHIZOPHRENIA

Taking Care of a Loved One

"Oh No! Is He Relapsing Again? What Should I Do?"

Fear can overshadow the lives of people who care for those with schizophrenia. It is important that you know how to recognize and deal with the signs and symptoms of the disease, including

Hallucinations
Delusions
Confused thinking and speech
Emotional flatness (lack of expression)

Start by talking to a health care professional about signs and symptoms that your loved one displays and ask for advice on how to handle specific situations. Here are some general guidelines.

Be natural and kind, not condescending
Stay as calm as possible
Do not belittle or argue about delusional beliefs
Don't be overprotective. It's acceptable to leave your loved one alone. However, caregivers should watch their loved one for signs of suicidal thoughts or actions
Define limits regarding which behaviors are not acceptable (for example, dangerous behavior such as smoking in bed)
Don't criticize too much and tell your loved one when he or she is doing something right

Remember, too, that there is only so much you can do. There may be times you wish you could do more, but, unfortunately, you can't make the disease "go away." It's important to accept the reality of schizophrenia and to have realistic expectations of your loved one.

"Will Your Loved One Harm Himself or Herself?"

It is important to know that approximately 10% of people with schizophrenia commit suicide. Between 20% and 40% attempt suicide at least once over the course of their illness. This is another reason why early and appropriate treatment is so important.

Talk to your loved one's health care professional if you are worried. Individuals who experience heightened symptoms of schizophrenia may require intensive treatment, including hospitalization. Hospitalization is sometimes necessary to treat

Severe delusions or hallucinations
Serious suicidal thoughts
An inability to care of oneself

"What Kind of Future Can He or She Have?"

When someone you love has schizophrenia, the illness can get in the way of leading a productive life. Finding an appropriate treatment plan and learning to cope with the day-to-day challenges is an important part of helping your loved one live with schizophrenia.

But try not to lose sight of the fact that you can help your loved one set goals and work to achieve them. Depending on how well your loved one is doing, the goal could be as simple as doing his or her own laundry or as challenging as completing a college degree.

Taking Care of Yourself

"What's Going to Happen After We're Gone? Who Will Take Care of My Loved One?"

It's common for parents and other caretakers of an individual with schizophrenia—especially if he or she is unable to live independently—to become preoccupied with these questions. There are no easy answers. But you may achieve some peace of mind if you discuss your options with your loved one's health care professional or social worker. While the options may not seem ideal, almost any plan you develop will be better than none.

"What Happens If Our Lives Revolve Around Him or Her?"

Providing care to a loved one with schizophrenia may seem overwhelming at times. To help you cope, it is important that you give yourself the attention and care you deserve. Consider these suggestions.

Take time out to relax and enjoy favorite activities or hobbies
Do not neglect your own health. This means getting regular check-ups, good nutrition, adequate sleep, and exercise
Speak openly about your needs, rather than repressing them and growing resentful
Avoid needless frustrations by recognizing limitations—your own, as well as your loved one's
Accept all the help and support you can get. Be creative about ways to share the responsibilities of caring for your loved one
When possible, try to see the humor in situations. Laughter is a great stress reliever

"Was It Something We Did?"

The answer is no. No one should feel shame or guilt, and no one is to blame. Schizophrenia is a disease—not the result of bad parenting, trauma, abuse, or personal weakness.

Sometimes it's good to talk with people outside the family to help learn how to let go of any guilt. Schizophrenia support groups are good for sharing experiences with others. It's always helpful to talk to people who have "been there."

The information on this Web site should not take the place of talking with your doctor or health care professional. If you have any questions about your condition, or if you would like more information about Seroquel XR, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Only you and your health care professional can decide if Seroquel XR is right for you.

Important Safety Information and Indications for Seroquel XR

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (having lost touch with reality due to confusion and memory loss) treated with this type of medicine are at an increased risk of death, compared to placebo (sugar pill). Seroquel XR is not approved for treating these patients.

Antidepressants have increased the risk of suicidal thoughts and actions in some children, teenagers, and young adults. Patients of all ages starting treatment should be watched closely for worsening of depression, suicidal thoughts or actions, unusual changes in behavior, agitation, and irritability. Families and caregivers should watch patients daily and report these symptoms immediately to the physician. Seroquel XR is not approved for patients under the age of 18 years.

High blood sugar and diabetes have been reported with Seroquel XR and medicines like it. If you have diabetes or risk factors such as obesity or a family history of diabetes, ask your doctor about checking your blood sugar before starting Seroquel XR and regularly throughout treatment. If you develop symptoms of high blood sugar or diabetes, such as excessive thirst or hunger, increased urination, or weakness, contact your doctor. Complications from diabetes can be serious and even life threatening
Increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, and weight gain have been reported with Seroquel XR
A rare, but potentially fatal, side effect reported with Seroquel XR and medicines like it is neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Tell your doctor if you have very high fever; rigid muscles; shaking; confusion; sweating; changes in pulse, heart rate, or blood pressure; or muscle pain and weakness because treatment should be stopped if you have NMS
Another serious side effect reported with Seroquel XR and medicines like it is tardive dyskinesia (TD)—uncontrollable movements of the face, tongue, or other parts of the body. TD may become permanent, and the risk of TD is believed to increase as the length of time on and the amount of these medications increase. While TD can develop in patients taking low doses for short periods, this is much less common. There is no known treatment for TD, but it may go away partially or completely if treatment is stopped
Before starting treatment, tell your doctor if you have high prolactin levels or have a history of, or are at risk for, seizures or a low white blood cell (WBC) count. An eye exam for cataracts is recommended at the beginning of treatment and every 6 months thereafter
During treatment, tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or lightheaded upon standing, or if you have trouble swallowing
Suicidal thoughts or actions may occur; tell your doctor if you have thoughts about death or suicide
Since drowsiness has been reported with Seroquel XR, you should not participate in activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know that you can do so safely. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Seroquel XR because Seroquel XR increases the effects of alcohol. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated while taking Seroquel XR
Common side effects: The most common side effects are drowsiness, dry mouth, increases in cholesterol and triglycerides, constipation, upset stomach, dizziness, a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing, weight gain, increased hunger, tiredness, increases in blood sugar, difficulty speaking, and stuffy nose

This is not a complete summary of safety information. Please discuss the full Prescribing Information with your health care provider.

Indications

Seroquel XR is a once-daily tablet approved to treat acute depressive episodes in bipolar disorder; acute manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder alone or when added to lithium or divalproex; long-term maintenance of bipolar disorder when added to lithium or divalproex; and schizophrenia.

Click here to see Prescribing Information for Seroquel XR, including Boxed Warnings.

Please see the last page of the Prescribing Information for the Medication Guide.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.FDA.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Patient photos are intended to be representative of typical patients with bipolar disorder and are not of actual patients.