How do i tell my family/friends that i have been diagnosed with early Schizophrenia?

Its been a few months now since i was actually diagnosed, as my problems have been going on for 2 years. They started me on the medicine, Abilify, which has been working wonders!

I used to hide my problem best i could from friends/family. Once they started noticing, is when i went for help and got diagnosed.

I am terrified, embarrased, and scared. My husband has been really supportive. But my friends and family are the kind of people that make fun of stuff like this. How do i tell them? Should i just not tell them? But then i would be afraid they will eventually find out. I dont want them to leave me when i need them the most.

My uncle has schizophernia and the thing that scared, and upsets me wasnt the actual illness but the thought that he was going through such a thing on his own and didnt hink he would have support or understanding. From my limited experience of this, thisdiagnosis doesnt have to be a tragedy and the sooner everything is out in the open with friends and family the sooner everyone can start learning to take this as a hurddle that you are facing but will overcome with their help.At first they may make jokes, light of it etc as a sort of coping mechanism but I bet if you lay down the rules as to how you this is to be dealt with, they will be there for you in the ways you need them to be. Difficult times often bring out the very best in people, just give them a chance.

I wish you all the best xxx

Id read up about early schizophrenia and how much the medication is helping, but if thats a part of whats going on then your family should be receptive loving and accepting on whats going on, I know thats not always the case, but its hard enough going through it without having to explain it. Id just make sure they know what its doing but also emphasis how much the medication helps and usually early doesnt turn into full blown schizophrenia, there really different symptoms from full blown

I'm not sure if you should tell them or not. Maybe you could some how beat around the bush and ask them how they would react if they found out that some one in the family has this disorder. Then take it from there. If they seem like they would respond well, then you possibly could tell them. If not and they seem like they would make a big deal out of it and make fun of the situation, as hard as it may be at first, you maybe should start removing yourself from your family and look for other means of support. Your doctor would be able to point you into the right direction in getting support.

your husband is supportive, that is a GREAT thing. You don't need to tell family (unless you are very close - like parents or siblings) and especially not friends (unless you find friends with illnesses such as yours) I have bipolar disorder and lived in a group home for a year and a half. Most of my family think it was just a dorm situation cause I lived with 9 other people.

Schizophrenia can come from heredity. If you do not tell them it could possibly effect some other family member down the road. Or someone else in the past might have had this and you could be helped. If your family members make fun tell them you will not put up with it and will will cut them out of your life totally if they continue to make fun. I know that will not be easy though.

I would just sit them down and tell them very seriously this is not a joking matter and you have a serious disease and you are being treated. If something ever goes wrong, and your husband isn't around - if your family doesn't know than they won't be able to help you. I would let them know, so they and their children can get checked in case it runs in the family.

I would tell them. Unless you are trying to scare them, or make them feel sorry for you, preface your remarks by saying something like, "I may have mentioned this to you already, but..."
By taking the lead, and making light of a bad situation, you will put your friends at ease, and make it easier for them to be supportive and helpful.

Don't feel obliged to tell them. Its up to you!

I find the direct approach always works though. Next time you see them, just tell them, straight out.

"Hi! How are you? I've been diagnosed with early schizophrenia...." and then see where the conversation goes.

True friends won't leave you when you need them most. And those that do, aren't worth worrying about.

Good luck :)

You dont have to tell them, especially if you doubt they would be helpful. People whos support you would rely on are the ones that need to know.

I have bipolar and only 4 friends of mine and one person in my family know.(others in my family knew i was diagnosed 9 years ago but dont know that im getting treatment for it again.......they forced me to stop.....thought me being on meds was like being on crack)

It's always better to get things out in the open. There's nothing to be embarassed about. If they want to make fun of you that's their problem. Stay strong...don't care what others think because you know the truth. You know that you have a disease just like cancer and you deserve support. If they simply don't understand mental illness spend less time with them.

Organize a family meeting. Discuss what your symptoms were before you went to the doctor, talk about what you did, your diagnosis, and your treatment. They will understand and be there for you, I'm sure.

You're Schizophrenic and you're worried about telling your friends and family about it?
They probably already suspected something was up. Just come right out and tell them... they'll find out eventually anyways.

they probably already know that things haven't been quite right.

send them each several cards

just tell them like you,ve told it here they will understand if not then your best off without friends like that

I am thankful that the medication has done so well for you. I know that schizophrenia is a scary diagnosis, but treatment is getting better all the time.
At least your husband knows; I think it would be best that one or two others that you can trust, ought to know also; but as long as you are functioning well, there is probably no need for everybody to know. If you had diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome, you probably wouldn't tell everybody about it either. Most people are not that interested in other people's illnesses.
People make fun of mental illness because they aren't very familiar with it, they are just goofing around; they don't mean any harm. You can tell them what you think about that, in a friendly way, without telling them about your own diagnosis. Tell them you don't think crazy jokes are funny.
On the other hand, people who work in the mental health field , who actually work to help people who are mentally ill, and they use humor to deal with stress.
If somebody finds out, take it in stride. They can see how well you are doing. Tell them you aren't having symptoms even though it's a chronic illness. It's under control and it has never been very severe.
Best wishes to you.

Hello. I am a 40-year-old woman, and my mom had schizophrenia. She never had to break the news to me. I grew up around her development/diagnosis of it. Let me just say that she had many family members and friends stick by her that are all regular folks that, as you say, would make fun of stuff like this.

First, I am very happy for you to have a supportive husband. That is wonderful news!!

My mom lived a very normal life on her medication. She passed away from a stroke in 1991. (She lived something like 20 years after diagnosis). What was important and crucial for her was accepting her diagnosis and staying on her medication.

Of course, there are different levels of schizophrenia. But, if you are living on your own, you're one of the lucky ones. So, congrats on that too.

Tell them one at a time if it's easier and more personal, or get several together if that's easier. Be prepared for some of them to tell others for you (as families often do). Have some information ready in case they have questions. The more they learn, the easier it will get. You need as many people in life as a support system that you can get, regardless of any condition.

And you may find that in time, humor helps too. I know several people with mental illness who have learned to look at the funny side of it. One says he's always been crazy; now he has the papers to prove it.

Take care of yourself and have a happy life! My mom did...

damn it must suck to be crazy..