If a Schizophreniform patient who mostly seems normal is kept (in a rehab) with other patients who are at a severe stage, will their behavior affect this patient? As he is right now complaining that we have kept him with mad people and this is making him mad and he will commit suicide if not taken out of that place. Thought the doctors there say its ok, I am very concerned if I am doing right keeping him in there with such patients. Please help.

Dr. Saul PereiraPsychologist46yrs exp

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Schizophrenics are very suggestible and vulnerable by the nature of the disease. If exposed to other more disturbed patients he will certainly get more perturbed and may collapse in such circumstances. In some centers the more functional patients are given responsibility and do very well even though there are other more disturbed individuals. But since this boy si already complaining of a problem it must be factored in about keeping him there. Schizophrenics are also known to feign problems because they may not like the institution or may not like being institutionalized. However, my biggest concern is that he is threatening to commit suicide, if not taken out, and that is a life-threatening matter. But then if you give into this blackmail now, he may manipulate you later for other things too. When people threaten like this they are immediately put on suicide supervision to safeguard them. Find out if there are other circumstances that are actually a problem and if those can be rectified, he may be more amenable. Managing a schizophrenic at home is very difficult too. But if he is docile like you say then you may consider taking him out but he must attend some therapy as an outpatient. 

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