Working with a person with Schizophrenia

I was hoping to get some insight into working with a person with schizophrenia. My problem is that I do not know what behaviours are related to schizophrenia, or what would just be related to personality, and was hoping someone knows of any useful resources to help assist in order for me to communicate more effectively with this person.

We had taken on someone with schizophrenia at work. At first they were not being treated, but after treatment we saw a vast improvement in their attitude and output. Nevetheless there is still a lot of defiance, back-chat, unwillingness to follow orders if they believe their solutions are better, inability to take criticism if they create problems because of unwillingness to follow procedures, unable to perform certain simple tasks requested (I do not know if this is this is because they do not want to do the task or not). I have tried to excuse it in my mind by saying they forgot, or they are learning, etc. and tried giving as much room as possible. But I have found that in some cases they are very aware of the task but just do not do it. For me it is not so much about making mistakes, but the reaction to mistakes made.

It is in my job description to hand jobs to this person, but I find it difficult to do so.... possibly because I lack a spine and met with such disdain that it causes me great stress. I suffer from anxiety and depression, and having to work closely with this person has worsened my condition. I have tried being understanding and also being more hard (which I find so hard to do), but at this point I am not sure how I am actually supposed to effectively communicate with this person. On a personal level things are fine - we can laugh together, but working together harmoniously is impossible.

I know that it is not only a perceived problem, as everyone in the office does know this is an issue. I know it takes two to tango, and perhaps this person thinks I am being unjust. I understand this, but have not been able to get any perspective from this person as they are unwilling for whatever reason to communicate their perception of the situation.
I cannot change how this person is or reacts, but what can I do to create a better work environment for us all?
Or is this not about the person's schizophrenia - can this just be a personality trait of the person? I am so confused.

I would really really appreciate your insights. Thank you so much.

I don't think it has anything to do with schizoprenia...sounds like a personality clash to me....

Thanks for the response! It is hard to figure out, as our manager brushes the situations off as a matter of mental health. I had spoken to my psychologist just briefly and he believes the situations are caused by the symptoms of schizophrenia... this is why I am questioning myself and wondering if there is anything I can do.

I would not want anyone to treat me differently because of my mental health issues, so I would not want to do the same to this person. But most interactions seem impossible as they always illicit either violent reactions (if we have to point out that work is not being completed to standard) or just be ignored (not just with between this person and myself, but other members of staff, too).

I hope I am not offending anyone with this post. If I am being insensitive to anyone at all I apologise - it is not my intention!

Some people are jerks, some have sz, some are both....sounds like you've got a case of both...most people with sz are perfectly nice.

i become a jerk when im psychotic because i get angry. but i get angry because im paranoid.

Is he on an SSRI? I was angry and frustrated while on an SSRI. I took no ****. It was a complete personality change for me.

I have a particular rage trigger but it didn't necessarily have anything to do with not being able to take orders at work. Just rage I had to contain somehow. Thank God now I can just hide away in my apartment.

Well I am going to be going back to the workplace myself and I always am worried how people are going to treat me when I get back because it is the same job I walked out of because I thought they were all harassing me. My advice is just try to treat them like any other employee and if it is something really bothersome try to get someone to talk to them like HR. All I know is that going back to work with schizophrenia is difficult because you may have thought everyone was teaming up against them or bullying them. I used to physically see people say things to me that were wrong and everytime people would just say it is my schizophrenia. It is really frustrating.

I think parts of this might be due to schizophrenia. I would suggest that you consider anger (very often a symptom of sz), motivational deficiencies and cognitive difficulties (including difficulties with concentrating and remembering things) as possible explanations for some of their behaviors. Then again it might all just be personality too. It doesn't scream schizo to me but I'm not an expert.

I don't know. They are on something called... Quetiapine ? And tranquilizers and anti-depressants. Attitude when not related to work is completely fine! Even really sociable and friendly. But as soon as it relates to work their mood swings like 180 degrees.

Maybe the stress of work sets him off, most people with sz don't handle stress well.

yea i was going to mention that he might be stressed out. work might stress him out.

Thanks so much for your response. Your insight is really useful. I thought that if I were in that position I might also feel the way you described, and so I always tried to be friendly and always understanding.

But I am started feeling abused. Just yesterday this person pushed into me and ignored me when I was trying to explain how something she did not understand. But today she smiles as if nothing happened... so I am starting to question myself, or maybe I am being too sensitive.

Unfortunately, I have spoken to HR. They understand my problem, tell me they are aware there is a big problem, but there is nothing that they can do to help me.

At this point, I understand that I have to live with this situation. However, to make it bearable for all of us, I was hoping someone might have tips on what I can be doing better. If there is anything I can do. As you say, I think this person thinks I am persecuting them whenever I have to tell them they slipped up, possibly because they slip up so often and I constantly have to remind them of procedures. I try not to do this every day, so have taken on some of their work just to not have to face how this person makes me feel (like an insignificant spec deserving to blotted out of existence). This has not helped much though. It just increases the periods in between having to face her.

I'm by not any means at all suggesting that I know anything, however, is it possible that this person might have a dual diagnosis? The dramatic changes in mood sound a bit like borderline personality disorder. Not saying that's it, but it might be that there's additional issues besides schizophrenia.