There are many things about schizophrenia that
remain a mystery. A common myth is that people who suffer from schizophrenia
will never recover when in fact there are multiple effective treatments. For someone
with this disorder, the world is a jumble of confusing and disturbing thoughts,
images and sounds. Symptoms of schizophrenia include delusions, hallucinations,
thought disorder and disorganized behavior; however some symptoms can also be
attributed to other mental disorders. One definition for schizophrenia is that
it is a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in the
relation between thought, emotion, and behavior, leading to faulty perception,
inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal
relationships into fantasy and delusion, and a sense of mental fragmentation
(in general use) a mentality or approach characterized by inconsistent or
contradictory elements (google web dictionary). Imagine yourself trying to
carry on a conversation with another person while being bombarded with voices coming
from all over, these voices may constantly be telling you to do things or they
may be insulting and make you angry. Situations like these are real for the
people who experience them. The images and sounds do not seem in any way a
trick of their imagination or something that can simply be ignored. Hallucinations
and schizophrenic delusions can happen at any time of day or night. I’ve
included a link here which provides many interesting facts about this disorder.
The most common treatment for schizophrenia involves therapy and medications
(antipsychotics). Treatments are usually ongoing and lifelong but they can
provide much help especially in cases that involve suicidal thoughts. Living with
schizophrenia involves many challenges but with a positive and supportive
atmosphere there can be a steady growth of independence.
SanJuanita,
ReplyDeleteYour post was very well organized and the links were very informative. The one that sent me to a list of facts about schizophrenia was particularly helpful. I, like many people, was under the false impression that many of those diagnosed with schizophrenia did not ever completely 'recover'. I was unaware that such a large number of people did and that only an equally large portion did not. All in all, very good post. ^_^
San Juanita,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your posts as always. I also believe schizophrenia is a disorder that society does not fully understand. Labeling someone with a mental disorder is usually all they need to be cast aside with the misconception that they will be "sick" forever. I do know of someone who has had many challenges with this disease and he for the most part leads a relatively independent life. His family (brothers&sisters) do what they can for him, but he for the most part insists on not taking his medications. Like many with schizophrenia he believes the doctor is out to kill him with pills. All in all good post!
San Juanita,
ReplyDeleteI cant imagine having into go through what people with this illness have to go through everyday. Hearing voices and having thoughts that just disrupt your overall ability to live your life is not something easily lived with. The stereotype that society has on the illness of schizophrenia makes it that much more difficult for those who suffer from it to actually receive therapy and even social support from those around them. Thankfully there are some options such as drugs that help with the symptoms but sometimes these drugs or medication may be taken for granted by the patients. Great post!