Coming Home, Slowly

Sanjay, thirty-one, spent two months in hospital in Bengaluru for schizophrenia. Now he is home with his parents. He is calmer, but he is also slow, quiet and often sits for hours. His father worries that he is lazy. The…

Sanjay, thirty-one, spent two months in hospital in Bengaluru for schizophrenia. Now he is home with his parents. He is calmer, but he is also slow, quiet and often sits for hours. His father worries that he is lazy. The neighbours have stopped greeting the family.

His mother Rekha, who first sat in a family education session at the clinic, understands that low energy and flat feelings are part of the illness, called negative symptoms, and not laziness. She breaks the day into small tasks: a walk, helping with vegetables, a short visit to the shop. She also keeps medicine and clinic visits regular, under the doctor's guidance, and watches for early signs of relapse such as poor sleep.

A community group offers Sanjay a place in a supported work programme at a local bakery. At first he only sorts boxes. A few months later he is taking orders. The neighbours' attitude slowly softens when the owner praises his work. Rekha says, "Stigma was our biggest hurdle, bigger than the illness. His rights and dignity matter as much as his medicine."

Sanjay himself says the best day was when his mother stopped asking what was wrong with him and started asking what he would like to try that week.

How to recognise it

• After the acute phase: low energy, little speech and reduced emotion, called negative symptoms.

• Slow thinking and difficulty with planning or concentration.

• Signs of relapse: poor sleep, new suspicion, withdrawing again.

• Social isolation by both the person and the community.

• Family strain, fear and shame.

What this story explains

This story shows schizophrenia, negative symptoms, recovery with family support and psychosocial rehabilitation, and the impact of stigma and human rights.

Probable root causes

• Brain and genetic factors, with stress as a trigger.

• Stopping treatment without medical guidance, which can bring relapse.

• Social isolation and stigma.

• Substance use.

• Little structure and few chances to take part in daily life.

What to do

1. Learn about the illness together as a family.

2. Keep medicine and appointments regular as the doctor advises and never stop or change them yourselves.

3. Create a gentle routine with small, doable tasks.

4. Look for rehabilitation, skills training or supported work.

5. Learn the early warning signs and tell the doctor soon.

6. Include him in family life and respect his choices.

Whom to consult

• Psychiatrist for regular follow-up and treatment review.

• Clinical psychologist, occupational therapist or social worker for rehabilitation and family support.

• Family doctor for physical health checks.

• Local self-help or family groups for shared experience.

Do and don’t

How to behave and communicate

• Speak in a warm, respectful tone: "I am glad you are home. What would you like to do today?"

• Give one clear task at a time.

• Be patient with slow replies.

• Praise small steps genuinely.

• Keep emotions calm and low-key at home.