Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness characterized by a person experiencing a combination of delusions and hallucinations. Because these delusions and hallucinations feel as real as the world around them, a person with untreated schizophrenia can sometimes have trouble distinguishing actual reality from this altered reality that their brain is telling them.
People with schizophrenia suffer from some of the greatest prejudice, stigma, and discrimination associated with any mental illness, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (2019). As with most mental disorders, the causes of schizophrenia are still pretty poorly understood. Friends and family commonly are shocked, afraid or angry when they learn of the diagnosis.
What is Schizophrenia?
While schizophrenia is a chronic disorder, many fears about the disorder are not based in reality. Most people with schizophrenia get better over time, not worse. Treatment options are improving all the time and there are plenty of things you can do to manage the disorder. Schizophrenia is often episodic, so periods of remission are ideal times to employ self-help strategies to limit the length and frequency of any future episodes. Along with the right support, medication, and therapy, many people with schizophrenia are able to manage their symptoms, function independently, and enjoy full, rewarding lives.
Common misconceptions about schizophrenia
Myth: Schizophrenia refers to a
“split personality”
or multiple personalities.
Myth: Schizophrenia refers to a “split personality” or multiple personalities.
Fact:Multiple personality disorder is a different and much less common disorder than schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia do not have split personalities. Rather, they are “split off” from reality.
Myth: Schizophrenia is a rare condition.
Fact: Schizophrenia is not rare; the lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia is widely accepted to be around 1 in 100.
Myth: People with schizophrenia are dangerous.
Fact: Although the delusional thoughts and hallucinations of schizophrenia sometimes lead to violent behavior, most people with schizophrenia are neither violent nor a danger to others.
Myth: People with schizophrenia can’t be helped.
Fact: While long-term treatment may be required, the outlook for schizophrenia is far from hopeless. When treated properly, many people with schizophrenia are able to enjoy fulfilling, productive lives.
Living With & Managing Schizophrenia
There is much that goes into living with schizophrenia, as it can be a difficult condition to manage. Professionals usually seek to help keep individuals out of the hospital and prevent a future psychotic episode or relapse. Some people turn to substance abuse in order to help quell the symptoms of this disorder.
Acknowledging the condition for what it is, finding appropriate treatment, and then sticking to that treatment plan can be helpful. But a person with this diagnosis may have difficulty understanding that they are affected and may need the help and support of family members to get into an effective treatment program. They may also need such support long-term to stay on treatment and find additional social and occupational resources to help their recovery be successful. Maintaining daily routines is one important key to many people’s success with this condition over the long term.
Post On Schizophrenia
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