Managing emotions when you have schizophrenia can be challenging but staying calm always helps, even if you happen to be unwell. The course of life with schizophrenia can be tumultuous. While some remain reasonably well, others are very unwell. For those who are very unwell, emotions are often disordered and erratic. Even though this is so, practicing calm during periods of wellbeing is prudent and advisable. This should be emphasized in patients who fall ill periodically.
Being under the influence of intense and unpredictable emotions leaves us drained and helpless. During times like these, it helps to recall that no matter what we do, we can fall ill. Having too much remorse or the tendency to control isn’t very helpful. An acceptance of how things are is perhaps the most skillful way to cultivate calm. Each one of us can do that. With acceptance, comes an evenness of emotional life and managing emotions when you have schizophrenia becomes possible.
Acceptance works in multiple ways. It generates patience when we are suffering, and gratitude when we are well. When we strive for too much, especially in wanting to control how we are, there arises desperation and other unhelpful emotions. In managing emotions, it is best to take one step at a time. With manageable demands on ourselves, we can clearly see that being calm leads to a better experience of illness as well as a safer and wiser mental state when well.
Those who have schizophrenia are often misunderstood and shunned. They are more sensitive to hostility and aggression, and in the face of these emotions, become very disturbed. At times like these, it makes sense to try and leave the situation that is causing unrest. If we accept that we have limitations, nurturing what we have rather than yearning for what we don’t becomes important. In finding or creating balance, allowing things and events to unfold permits us to not resist what might be occurring. And if we can let even disturbing emotions come and then go, we find the inner space to work towards wellbeing.
