Keeping Track of Medication for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that requires treatment with medication to lessen symptoms. But even if your symptoms go away, you'll need to stay on treatment to avoid a relapse. So it's very important to keep taking any medication your doctor prescribes.

You may need to take more than one medication at different times of the day. This can be tricky. And the effects of schizophrenia can make it even harder to remember to keep track of your meds.

Make a master list of what medicines you take. Keep one at home, and one to take to your doctor appointments. Give one to a friend or family member who can help in case of emergency.

Try taking your medication along with the same activity every day, like brushing your teeth, or eating a meal. That will make it easier to remember and turn it into a habit. If you have a hard time remembering whether or not you took a medicine, use a pill holder that will organize your meds by time of day.

Certain apps on your phone can remind you, too. Your pharmacy can sign you up for automatic refills, and some will even mail them to you. That means one less thing to remember or worry about. If you still have trouble remembering to take your meds, or are having a hard time with side effects, talk to your doctor. But stay on your medicines until they can help you come up with a new plan.