Hallucinations: 

Auditory Hallucinations: 

• In the acute phases of schizophrenia, patients are likely to insist they are hearing voices that no one else can hear.  Usually they seem to come from outside the self and are heard as conversations between other people, or commands, or compliments (or insults) addressed to the person. The voices can be kind or threatening.  Sometimes the comments are made about the person rather than to him.  These hallucinations can be so real that many believe there is a supranational cause or a broadcasting device has been implanted. 
• In the convalescence phase, schizophrenics can often summon, ignore, and dismiss voices at will.
• Dealing with Hallucinations:
• Reducing stress, keeping busy, and increasing anti psychotic medication. can help to control the hallucinations.  Directing his mind to other interests, and helping him recognize he need not wait for incoming voices, can be surprisingly effective.  Encouraging him to not give up, to discuss things with the therapist, and to realize that the family and close friends understand, is important. 

• Dealing with Delusions:
• One must first accept delusions as part of the illness and  not stubbornness or stupidity. Although fixed delusions can be irritating, emotional reactions should be avoided, as should taunts or threats. Persons should seek medical attention and/or  increase his medicine to help control the incidences.
• Helping to decrease the stimuli that leads to delusion formation is one way to help keep delusions under control. An emergence of delusional ideas, whether persecutory or grandiose usually means there is too much activity or emotion, perhaps too many people around.

Talking Nonsense 
Difficulty making sense to others is a symptom of the acute phase of the illness. This frustrating experience makes communication with the family very difficult. Sometimes incomprehensible statements occur either because sentences are unconnected to each other,  because there seems to be no point to the stories told, or because topics switch frequently. Words occasionally take on special meanings because they trigger private associations or because attention is paid to individual sounds rather than hole words. 

• Dealing with the problem:
•  Like other positive symptoms, thought disturbances respond to a reduction of stress and an increase in anti psychotic medication. Usually occurring during the acute phase, it sometimes comes back when  medications are too low or stress is too high.
• Try to communicate non verbally. Sometimes communication through writing works, as thoughts tend to be more organized in writing.  When talking to others do not speak as if the patient were absent. Do not tease or mimic him and do not struggle to hold meaningful conversations.
• Most people use one side of their brain for language and the other side for art, music, or movement.  If the language side is disturbed, it sometimes helps to encourage patients to draw, sing, play an instrument, exercise, or dance. 

Preoccupation 
Fixed ideas, not necessarily delusions take on extraordinary significance.  Frequently it is an unrealistic worry about doing the right thing. 
The worry can take up so much time that the "right thing" never gets done.  To the patient, this may seem like interference by others,  as God's wish, or as if he physically can not do the task.  He then begins to use this as an excuse for not doing the task.

• Excuses:
• They do not understand why others see them merely as "excuses". To them they explain the facts better than any other explanation.
• Sometimes the schizophrenic spends much time puzzling over the activity, and  that is why he thinks he has solved great mysteries that others have missed.
• When lost in thought, schizophrenics do not want to be distracted. They feel they have important work to do to try and do not want conversations or activities then. 
• Dealing with preoccupations:
• This symptom is usually seen in the active phase of the illness but may continue into the convalescent stage.   Preoccupations must not be allowed to interfere  with daily routines or to control the life of the patient or the life of those around him. Distraction is helpful as is a structure or daily routine that does not permit too much time for sitting and thinking.  Increased meds may be required.   

• Dealing with aggression:
• Triggered by stress, it can be controlled with anti psychotic medications. Most common in young men it can be precipitated by psychological or chemical stimulants. 
• In an attempt to prevent violence, try to avoid blame, ridicule, confrontation, teasing, or insult.  Allow your schizophrenic relative privacy and psychological distance.
• Should violence erupt take whatever measures are necessary for the safety of everyone concerned. This may require firmness, help from friends and neighbors, or summoning the police. 
• Let the patient's therapist know if violence erupts at home. Ask the therapist for pointers on how to help the patient develop self-control. 
• Most schizophrenics respond best to certain friends when  frightened, distressed, and potentially violent. 
• Anticipate outbursts and be prepared with an effective plan of action.
• Although violence is not common is schizophrenia, if it becomes a pattern, discuss appropriate living arrangements and preventive measures with the therapist.