Schizophrenia

If someone you care about has schizophrenia, you may feel that there is no one to talk to who understands what you are going through. There are people and organizations that can offer support and advice, however. Reading about schizophrenia and speaking with other people who are in a situation similar to your own are good ways to start helping yourself feel less alone.

One good source of support is the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI), a national organization for people coping with mental illness in their families. NAMI can help you get in touch with other young people who are struggling with schizophrenia or other mental illnesses in their families.

Another valuable resource for learning more about dealing with schizophrenia in the family is the World Wide Web. There are Internet chat rooms and message boards especially for siblings or other family members of people with schizophrenia. Some helpful phone numbers and Web sites are listed in the back of this book.