Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia | Look Beyond Stable

Image of Elias

Cognitive symptoms are:

Common: Most people—about 8 out of 10—living with schizophrenia may deal with cognitive symptoms.
Constant: Cognitive symptoms can start early—before hallucinations, and continue even after treating positive symptoms.
Critical: People living with cognitive symptoms are more than 5 times more likely to struggle with daily tasks.*

*Compared with those without cognitive symptoms.

Experience life with cognitive symptoms

Explore a 3D environment of someone living with the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia.

symptoms

Let’s look at Elias’ symptoms

Elias’ hallucinations and delusions are treated with medication. Yet, he still may have trouble with cognitive symptoms. Cognitive symptoms can impact people living with schizophrenia in different ways. Here are some examples:

Trouble solving problems, like remembering how to refill medication

Trouble understanding how others feel, like recognizing when someone is angry

Trouble remembering things he’s seen, like where he put something

Trouble thinking fast enough, like finding the right words in conversations

Trouble remembering things, like forgetting a phone number just given to him

Lacking attention, like the ability to follow a conversation

Not understanding what he reads, like a list of food to buy at the supermarket

IMPACT

Cognitive symptoms may affect Elias, and others like him, in
many ways

Forgetting To Take Medication

Harder to follow a treatment plan

Cognitive symptoms may make it hard to talk to a doctor and follow a treatment plan.

For you, or someone you care for who lives with schizophrenia, following a treatment plan from their doctor is an important part of symptom management.

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May need help image

Need for daily support

People living with cognitive symptoms may have trouble cooking a meal or running errands. Because of this, you, or the person you care for, may not be able to live alone or may need regular support.

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Impacts Caregivers Too

Changes in caregivers’ lives

Cognitive symptoms may impact caregivers’ lives. A caregiver might need to provide those living with cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia with more assistance in daily living and supervision of certain behaviors. Cognitive symptoms may also disrupt family routines and create a financial strain on the household.

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Healthcare costs

People living with cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia may need to pay more for medical expenses, in the way of hospital stays and more visits to doctors.

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MANAGEMENT

It’s important to share any cognitive symptoms with your care team

Unfortunately, there are currently no FDA-approved medicines to treat cognitive symptoms in people living with schizophrenia. However, it’s important to notice when cognitive symptoms affect your life, or the life of the person you care for. Once you notice these symptoms, be sure to share with your care team so they can help find ways to help. It’s also helpful for caregivers to share what they notice as well.

Here are some tips that may help with the daily struggles of cognitive symptoms:

Develop and maintain social support

Set manageable goals

Keep up with regular activities

Remember to ask for help

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