Caring for a loved one with schizophrenia can present many challenges. Ensure that you’re also getting support for yourself so you can meet these challenges. The good news is that your role can make a positive impact on your loved one’s life.
Jennifer, mother and caregiver
of Keira
When you care for someone living with schizophrenia, there are many ways you can help them manage their condition that may make a difference in their lives, including:
Watch Pam’s story about caring for her son with schizophrenia
and how she has practiced self-care
These videos are sponsored by Alkermes, Inc. Individual results may vary.
This reflects the patient and/or caregiver experience at the time of filming and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always talk to your healthcare provider about symptoms and available treatment options.
Being a caregiver can feel overwhelming. It’s okay to feel your feelings without judgment, accept them, then move forward and refocus on what matters. Doing so can help you offer the best support.
You are not alone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There may be others in a similar situation or a support group for caregivers in your area. It’s a great idea to grow a network of friends and family that you can rely on.
Try to take part in activities you enjoyed before you started caring for someone with schizophrenia, and find ways to work them back into your life. Start small, like scheduling a monthly lunch with friends, then try to work it into your routine.
Caregivers who pay attention to their own physical and emotional health are better able to handle the challenges of supporting someone with mental illness. Make sure you are eating well, getting enough sleep, and staying active.
Caregivers Pam and Christy discuss challenging stigmas around schizophrenia.
Pam and Christy talk about the importance of self-care for caregivers.
See Pam and Christy share advice about speaking up for loved ones.
Sharing your ARISTADA caregiver journey can make a difference in the lives of other caregivers. If you’re interested in participating, please select the button below to get started.
Share your storyMany patients prefer receiving less frequent injections rather than needing to remember to take oral medications.
ARISTADA is given by injection only, meaning there may be fewer daily schizophrenia medications to remember.
Your loved one could start 2 months of treatment in a single day with ARISTADA 1064 mg.
In a clinical study, ARISTADA was proven to treat symptoms of schizophrenia in adult patients.
If your loved one and their healthcare provider decide that ARISTADA is right for them, they may need to test for tolerability using oral aripiprazole. After their tolerability to the oral medication has been established, they will receive a starting regimen as determined by their healthcare provider.
They should not miss a dose of ARISTADA. If they miss a dose for some reason, they should call their healthcare provider right away to discuss what they should do next.
aOther dosing options include: 441 mg monthly, 662 mg monthly, and 882 mg monthly or every 6 weeks.
It’s important for you or your loved one to talk about treatment options with a healthcare team. Discussing questions you may have about your personal experience or the personal experience of a loved one, as well as any concerns about treating schizophrenia, could make a difference.
Create your personalized
Doctor Discussion Guide
Question 1
Please select a statement
Question 2 of 7
Choose a number between 1-10. (1=Not happy at all/discontinued; 5=Just okay; 10=Very happy)
If your loved one is not currently on any medication, select OTHER; they can talk to their doctor about available treatment options.
Question 3 of 7
Select up to 3 that best apply
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You can use your personalized Doctor Discussion Guide to talk about ARISTADA as a schizophrenia treatment option for your loved one.
Please choose how you’d like to get your discussion guide—you may select multiple options.
Data rates may apply
This is not meant to be a screening or diagnostic tool, but is meant to gather your and your loved one’s experiences to discuss with their healthcare provider.
If you’ve chosen “Other” for any question, use the notes page to jot down questions and topics to discuss with your loved one’s healthcare provider.
Question 2 of 5
Choose a number between 1-10. (1=Not happy at all/discontinued; 5=Just okay; 10=Very happy)
If you are not currently on any medication select OTHER and talk to your doctor about available treatment options.
Question 3 of 5
Select up to 3 that best apply
Question 4 of 5
Select up to 3 that best apply
Question 5 of 5
Select up to 3 that best apply
You can bring your personalized ARISTADA Doctor Discussion Guide with you to your next appointment with your healthcare provider.
Please choose how you’d like to get your discussion guide—you may select multiple options.
Data rates may apply
This is not meant to be a screening or diagnostic tool, but is meant to gather your experience to discuss with your healthcare provider. If you’ve chosen “Other” for any question, use the notes page to jot down questions and topics to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Always discuss side effects, symptoms, and treatment options with your healthcare provider.
This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice or judgment. Always talk with a healthcare professional for additional guidance and information.
ARISTADA could mean one less daily schizophrenia medication for your loved one to remember.
If your loved one and their healthcare provider decide that ARISTADA is right for them, they may need to test for tolerability using oral aripiprazole. After their tolerability to the oral medication has been established, they will receive a starting regimen as determined by their healthcare provider.
They should not miss a dose of ARISTADA. If they miss a dose for some reason, they should call their healthcare provider right away to discuss what they should do next.
bOther dosing options include: 441 mg monthly, 662 mg monthly, and 882 mg monthly or every 6 weeks.ARISTADA INITIO is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
ARISTADA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).
Contraindication: Do not receive ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA may cause serious side effects including:
The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have.
Do not drive, operate hazardous machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA affect you. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may affect your judgment, thinking or motor skills.
Before receiving ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines after you receive ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA without talking to your healthcare provider first.
If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report all side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guides for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA.
ARISTADA INITIO is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
ARISTADA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
PAM: Of course I had the fears that come along with the- the stigma of schizophrenia. Everything you hear on the news is always the person’s name, schizophrenic, and then this horrible thing that they’ve done. Or that they were not med-compliant. You don’t hear the good things. You don’t see the good things. It’s always the worst-case scenario. So, it- it’s hard the- the disconnect that people have for the condition.
CHRISTY: My explanation of schizophrenia is that it is a mental illness and there are a lot of stigmas that come along with it. But my daughter has this mental illness and she is coping with it. And the stigmas, they don’t define Kelsey.
CHRISTY: Going through this, sometimes it can be so stressful and overwhelming, you got to get some help, and don’t be afraid to do that. Because when you do, you get to relax, regroup, and you repair yourself; and then you’re ready for more and to help them. Everybody has to recharge. It’s just like sleep, you can’t not sleep. You’ve got to have a little bit of a break. Just know your limits. Everybody has their own list of different relaxation techniques, and you need to utilize those to avoid burnout because you don’t want to get burned out. You always want to be on your A game and be your best for that person.
PAM: I would tell other caregivers that no matter how overwhelmed that you are, that you have to take the time to understand what’s going on, and you have to take the time to take care of yourself. Everybody has a life. Everybody has a responsibility. And as a caregiver, it seems like it’s too much, but you cannot take care of that person adequately enough if you are not taking care of yourself. It’s, when you fly, they tell you that if you are responsible for other people and the oxygen mask drops down, put yours on first. It’s the same thing.
CHRISTY: Advocating for your loved one is probably I think my most important job. And—she used to not be able to advocate for herself. So, she really needed somebody that knew her, you know, like I mean I’m her mom, that would stand up and go, “No, that’s not what Kelsey would want.”
The advice I can give regarding schizophrenia and having a loved one affected by it is just never give up. And, yeah, this- this illness shouldn’t define that person ever. They are who they are.
This is your loved one, you- you have to be there for them, and schizophrenia shouldn’t define them because they are who they are, and they’re obviously a very special person.
PAM: So, some of the things that I do to prepare Dorian is I always let him know he is not this condition. That he is a person. He is a young man. And that I may not always be beside him but that I’m always with him.
I always have to be strong for Dorian. But I’m not an anomaly. All parents have to be strong for their kids. So, the biggest thing is (a) you’re not alone; (b) your path may not be somebody else’s path. Take your path.
PAM: Dorian growing up—he was always caring, energetic, always up and down the court with his friends—on his bike, with a football in hand. Dorian has always been stubborn. He has always been strong-willed. It’s part of him. Dorian was always a great kid and still is. I never noticed anything was off with Dorian when he was younger. Now that I look back, there probably was some little things that were off. It wasn’t until his freshman year of college that I started noticing he was really having issues. He wouldn’t communicate the way he would. He would look right at me, and I would say, “Could you do x, y and z,” and he would forget. His coaches and teachers noticed something wasn’t right as well. There was one particular time that Darian, who is Dorian’s younger brother, called me at work saying, could I come home, because Dorian was outside yelling at the mailbox and yelling at the sun saying that it was speaking to him. And I’m like, something isn’t right. I started thinking he was using drugs. So, the next step we did, because Dorian was still having symptoms—we were going to a therapist. The therapist pulled me aside after meeting with Dorian and said he thought Dorian was showing signs of schizophrenia. What do you do with that? How do you move forward? All the things that you want in life for your kids—is hampered. What do you tell your son? He knows life is different, but what do you tell him? And then doing it all by yourself. People say they understand, but they don’t. They don’t live it. We made an appointment to see a psychiatrist. The appointment was maybe a month away, but his symptoms are getting louder—they’re advancing. We finally decided to go to the hospital. After Dorian was in the hospital for several weeks and seeing a psychiatrist several times—and discussing his symptoms with the psychiatrist, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. After getting the diagnosis for Dorian having schizophrenia, I couldn’t be in denial. If I’m in denial, I can’t get him help. I did a lot of research. I start using the internet, just trying to figure out therapy. How could he live? What do we do? I personally started going to support groups via NAMI. I started sitting in and asking questions from other parents and other caregivers. I also started going to therapy myself. I wanted to be in the best state of mind so I can help my son. I have to take care of myself mentally, just to be able to take care of Dorian. It’s a lot. He requires a lot. It was very important to me, after doing my research—for me to find the right treatment for Dorian. Dorian tried out a couple of treatments, but he was having some side effects. So we talked to his doctor about the possibility of adjusting things. Dorian’s doctor presented us with the possibility of a treatment plan with ARISTADA. He told us that ARISTADA was an injection instead of a pill. So we talked about the risks and the benefits of Dorian trying ARISTADA, and we decided to give it a try.
NARRATOR: ARISTADA INITIO® (aripiprazole lauroxil) and ARISTADA® (aripiprazole lauroxil) may not be right for everyone.
ARISTADA INITIO (aripiprazole lauroxil) is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
ARISTADA (aripiprazole lauroxil) is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.
Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).
Before you start treatment with ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever taken Abilify®, Abilify Maintena®, or any aripiprazole product before. People who are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA should not receive ARISTADA. People must first tolerate oral aripiprazole before receiving ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA.
The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have.
When starting ARISTADA, you may receive a one-time injection called ARISTADA INITIO along with 30 mg of oral aripiprazole. In some cases, your doctor will have you start with 21 days of oral aripiprazole if ARISTADA INITIO is not right for you.
Please watch the additional Important Safety Information contained in this video.
PAM: I really like havin’ ARISTADA as an injection. I like havin’ that option. It’s nice that Dorian doesn’t have to take a daily pill to treat his schizophrenia. The doctor told us that it’s important that Dorian stays on track with his shots. He told us that if Dorian missed an injection appointment, we need to contact him right away. Since receiving ARISTADA, I’ve seen Dorian’s schizophrenia symptoms get better. Keep in mind, this is Dorian’s experience, and yours may be different. Dorian is still going group. He’s still seeing a therapist; he’s still seeing his psychiatrist. Sometimes Dorian and I do have group therapy together, only because I’m a lot! Only because he’s a lot sometimes. So, we do talk through our issues, we talk through our feelings, and it does help. I think Dorian is enjoying his life. He has hobbies that he keeps up with, and he’s doing well. I’m really proud of him. The most important thing that I found through this whole journey, is that I’m way tougher than what I thought. Being a caregiver is not easy. Some days could still be really tough. Sometimes I could still feel really defeated, but you still move on. I’ve had to make some adjustments in life. I still find time to go on a trip, whether it’s with Dorian or just by myself—with my friends. You have to make time for yourself. If you don’t make time for yourself, you feel like you’re spinning. You have to figure out balance, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your therapist, find that support system—seek help, and you gotta keep moving on—you can’t stop.
Elderly people with dementia-related psychosis are at increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotic medicines including ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA are not for the treatment of people who have lost touch with reality (psychosis) due to confusion and memory loss (dementia).
Contraindication: Do not receive ARISTADA INITIO or ARISTADA if you are allergic to aripiprazole or any of the ingredients in ARISTADA. Allergic reactions to aripiprazole have ranged from rash, hives and itching to anaphylaxis, which may include difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue.
ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA may cause serious side effects including:
The most common side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA include restlessness or feeling like you need to move (akathisia). These are not all the possible side effects of ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA. You should tell your healthcare provider about any side-effects you have.
Do not drive, operate hazardous machinery, or do other dangerous activities until you know how ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA affect you. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA may affect your judgment, thinking or motor skills.
Before receiving ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA and other medicines may affect each other causing possible serious side effects. Do not start or stop any medicines after you receive ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA without talking to your healthcare provider first.
If you have any questions about your health or medicines, talk to your healthcare provider. You are encouraged to report all side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see full Prescribing Information for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA, including Boxed Warning, and Medication Guides for ARISTADA INITIO and ARISTADA at www.ARISTADA.com.
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ARISTADA INITIO® (aripiprazole lauroxil) is a prescription medicine given as a one-time injection and is used in combination with oral aripiprazole to start ARISTADA® (aripiprazole lauroxil) treatment, or re-start ARISTADA treatment after a missed dose, when ARISTADA is used for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults.
ARISTADA is a prescription medicine given by injection by a healthcare professional and used to treat schizophrenia in adults.
It is not known if ARISTADA INITIO and/or ARISTADA are safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.