Having a strong support system is one of the primary factors for successful treatment of schizophrenia. A good support team may consist of mental health professionals, family members, and personal friends and peers who share the diagnosis. Talk to trusted friends and family members about your symptoms. They may help you navigate mental health care systems to get the treatment you need. Many times, maintaining stable, consistent housing is difficult for people with schizophrenia. If staying with your family is an option during stressful times, consider allowing your family to care for you until your symptoms improve. Housing options, such as group homes or supported living apartments, support people with schizophrenia. The availability of such homes varies widely from state to state. Check with your local National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI) chapter or other mental health professionals to learn more about these services. Having good, honest communication with a mental health professional will allow you to receive the best level of treatment they can provide. Being honest with your doctor about your symptoms will ensure that you're getting the right dosage of medication, neither too much nor too little. You can always seek out a second opinion, if you feel that your doctor isn't responsive to your needs. Never discontinue medical treatment without having a back-up plan. Check in with your doctor regarding any questions you may have regarding treatment issues, medication side-effects, persistent symptoms, or other concerns. Your participation is essential towards most effective treatment of your symptoms. Treatment works best when you're working together with your treatment team. The stigma from schizophrenia can be more uncomfortable than the symptoms. In a peer support group, your experience is shared by other members. Attending a group for support has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to minimize the difficulties of living with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Peer support groups are offered through local mental health organizations, Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA) and NAMI throughout the United States. For more information, do an online search for groups in your area. Peer support groups are also offered online. SA offers conference call support groups as well. Find a support group option that works for you.
++++++++++
One-sentence summary -- Talk to your doctor honestly. Communicate with your doctor or treatment provider. Attend a support group.

Article: Of course, sometimes you do want to go the most timeless birthday route of them all-that of a birthday party. Remember, there's nothing wrong with letting yourself be a little bit self focused for your birthday, and so there's nothing wrong with giving a party in celebration of your birthday! Make sure you have the necessary items, the place, and the people to have a party or get together that will be enjoyable to you and your guests. At the very least, you'll want to provide some refreshments to your guests. Know how many people you plan to invite and, depending on what sort of refreshments you decide on, crunch the numbers to be sure you'll have enough food and drink for everyone. Decide what you'll serve. Are you having a full dinner or just drinks and appetizers? Think of who's coming and consider what they might like. Are your guests more carnivores? Vegetarians? If you know your guests' preferences, use that knowledge. Is it winter? Summer? Consider the climate when planning your party. If it's cold, warm dips and hot bread can be a relatively simple path. If your birthday falls in the warmer months (or if you live in a hotter region) cool drinks, fruits, and cold dips are great. Backyards are made for parties. Be sure that if there's a chance of rain, you have a backup plan-also consider whether your guests will be exposed to the sun, and look at possibilities for adding some shade if needed. Umbrellas or canopies can be rented at most party supply stores. Unless you're throwing a massive ball at a French chateau, or a state dinner, and even if there's some serious planning going into your party, i.e caterers and musicians, there's really no need to overthink it. Parties can take some effort, but consider your guest's enjoyment and plan a party that you would want to attend, and good times will be had. A good birthday party involves guests enjoying themselves and celebrating the presence of the birthday girl or boy. Simple as that. Activities and even food and drink are secondary to the general ambience-people having a good time. Whether it's a kid's party, a backyard barbeque, or a champagne and hors'd'ouvres affair, creating a relaxing atmosphere where guests can mingle and enjoy life is the purpose. No one likes to feel that something is expected of them at a party. Guests often like to help out with what needs doing at a party; enlisting offered help is great, but don't demand your guest's appreciation. Your guests should simply be allowed to enjoy the opportunity to spend social time with each other and you. If you're hosting a house party or a shindig where you will be doing some of the legwork, enlist family and friends to come early to help with the preparations-and get to enjoy your birthday glow before the larger party gets started. Rather than accepting gifts, requesting contributions to the birthday party effort. Suggesting that guests bring drinks, snacks, particular dishes, plates, or even music or games is one way to involve the everyone in the putting on of the celebration, and lessen the economic burden on yourself. Also, when guests feel more involved, and feel that they have contributed to a party or gathering, they will feel more invested in the sense of camaraderie and community that a good party creates. If you're going for a full meal at your party, potlucks are a great way to make your friends a part of the cooking. Ask everyone to bring a dish, or create a signup sheet with an online invite service for coordination of dishes. Know anyone who is known amongst friends for a special dish or dessert they make? Ask them if they would like to make it for your birthday-they'll feel appreciated, and so will you!
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Have yourself a party! Plan your party. Don't overplan! Get close friends and family involved. Ask friends to bring something.