Page 70 - Vision Manual

Social Withdrawal
Negative Symptoms
Everyone needs time alone. If you find that you are withdrawing from people and avoiding contact with others, it may create problems in your relationships. The following strategies may be helpful in coping with social withdrawal:
 Find and join a support group, such as NAMI.
 Explore jobs or volunteer work that involve contact with people.
 Schedule contact time with someone every day, even if it’s for a short time.
 If you find it stressful to be with people, practice relaxation techniques before
and after your contact with them
 If it’s too stressful to have personal contact, call people on the phone and talk for
at least a few minutes.
 Arrange for errands that involve contact with people, such as going to the store
or the library.
 Make a list of people in your support system with whom you feel comfortable.
Call them when you are feeling like you are starting to withdraw. If possible,
make a plan to meet with them.
 Sometimes it’s more comfortable to spend time planning with people when
doing an activity together. Try planning activities with someone such as going to a museum or a musical performance.
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