Schizophrenia group therapy ideas: How connection makes a difference

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that can cause significant disruptions to a person's life. During an episode, schizophrenia may cause an individual to feel disconnected from reality. While there is no cure for schizophrenia, various treatment options, including group therapy sessions, (reorder clauses for better clarity) can help individuals improve their symptoms and manage the condition.  

If you or a loved one is living with schizophrenia, it may be helpful to learn more about the condition, available treatment options, and how group settings and group therapy activities can make a difference.  

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness affecting an individual's thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It may involve several symptoms, including experiences where the individual feels disconnected from reality. Schizophrenia may require lifelong treatment, which can include medication, therapy, and in some cases, hospitalization. However, many people with schizophrenia who receive treatment can live fulfilling lives.  

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia? 

Understanding possible symptoms may help you recognize if you or a loved one may be experiencing schizophrenia. The symptoms of schizophrenia can vary but may include the following. 

Hallucinations

A person experiencing hallucinations may see, feel, or hear a stimulus that isn't present. Auditory hallucinations, often called "hearing voices," may be the most common form of hallucination in people with schizophrenia. 

Delusions

Delusions are false beliefs. Like hallucinations, they are not rooted in reality. However, instead of being based on stimuli an individual experiences, delusions involve maladaptive thought patterns. Examples of possible delusions include the belief that the government is monitoring their movements, that they have exceptional traits like the ability to read other people's minds, or that they can prevent a major disaster from occurring. 

Disorganized behavior

Disorganized behavior refers to unusual or inappropriate behavior that does not seem to be under the person's control. This behavior can show up as unpredictability, agitation, or silliness. Disorganized behavior may include bizarre postures, unresponsiveness, excessive movement, a movement that does not serve a purpose, or resistance to instructions from others. 

Disorganized thinking and speech

Disorganized speech can be demonstrated through disorganized thinking, answers to questions that do not make sense, unrelated streams of thought, sentences that do not flow, ineffective verbal communication, and "word salad," in which an individual expresses a jumble of meaningless words that are unintelligible to others. 

"Negative" symptoms

Negative symptoms refer to a reduced ability or lack of ability to function as usual. These can include neglecting personal hygiene, appearing to lack emotion, behaving in socially inappropriate ways, avoiding social interactions, and losing interest or enjoyment in daily activities. 

Suicidal thoughts and behavior can also be present in individuals with schizophrenia. If you or a loved one is experiencing suicidal thoughts, seek support. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached at 988 and is available 24/7.

Group therapy for schizophrenia

Schizophrenia does not have a cure, but there are steps people with the condition can take to manage their symptoms. Common treatment options include the following: 

• Medications 
• Individual therapy
• Social skills training
• Family therapy
• Group therapy

Talking through concerns related to schizophrenia in a group setting with others experiencing the condition may offer numerous benefits for people with schizophrenia. Several dynamics within group therapy for schizophrenia may be helpful for those experiencing the condition, including the following. 

Shared experiences

Living with schizophrenia can be perceived as isolating, as it is not a common mental health condition. Researchers estimate that about 0.85% of the global population experiences schizophrenia at some point in their life. Being able to talk through similar experiences and challenges (delete – ‘Participating in a group therapy session with others going through similar challenges’) may be one of the most significant benefits of group therapy.

In group sessions, clients may feel less alone and learn positive coping skills modeled by other group members. It may also be helpful for individuals to share their frustrations and successes in an environment with those who can relate to what they are experiencing.  

Social interaction

Because one of the possible symptoms of schizophrenia is avoiding social interaction, finding ways to connect can be therapeutic. Group therapy can create opportunities for social interaction with others, and it may also incorporate the practice of social skills in sessions.

A group therapy setting may also seem like a more comfortable space for social interaction for some individuals, as they will be in a place with others experiencing similar difficulties. In this case, social interaction is an already-established aspect of the experience. In some cases, there may also be opportunities to include family members, friends, and loved ones of clients with the condition in this supportive environment.

Skills development

Some symptoms of schizophrenia may result in difficulty navigating aspects of daily life. Group therapy can help people with the condition support each other and learn from each other in developing and expanding certain skill sets that may reduce challenges, including treatment adherence, medication and interpersonal relationships. Group therapy sessions might also focus on skills aimed at improved quality of life, such as art therapy. 

How to find support for schizophrenia 

Schizophrenia can seem overwhelming and isolating, but you are not alone if you live with this condition. There are resources to help individuals address symptoms and continue to live healthy lives. 

Because some schizophrenia symptoms can impact a person's ability to function, it may sometimes be difficult for a person with the condition to access in-person individual or group therapy treatments. If this is the case for you, online therapy through a platform like BetterHelp may be impactful. However, note that schizophrenia can often require intensive medical intervention, so online therapy may not be the only treatment for a person experiencing the disorder. Instead, it can be a complement to other treatment options. 

Research has demonstrated that online therapy can be effective for various mental health conditions, including schizophrenia. For instance, one study examined a telehealth psychoeducation intervention for individuals with schizophrenia and their families, and it found that individuals with schizophrenia who participated in the online intervention reported lower perceived stress and a higher perceived level of social support. The researchers concluded that their findings demonstrated the feasibility and impact of providing telehealth-based psychosocial treatments, including online therapy groups.