Schizophrenia Page

My Story:

I was fifteen when I first started hearing voices. I didn’t tell anyone about them because I didn’t know that they were part of me. I always thought they were coming from the next room. Life went by for the next 3 ½ years before I was not able to hide it any longer. I started working my first full time job at a nursing home. Even though I successfully held my job the stress from working there really brought out the worst of my schizophrenia. After working there for six months I came home one night and things got really bad and I didn’t know what to do or who to talk to. I tried suicide not so much because I wanted to die but because I didn’t know what else to do to stop these horrible feelings and voices. I ended up in the psychiatric ward of the local hospital. I was in there several weeks and placed on Mellaril. Over the next five years I was hospitalized about three times held a few odd jobs and spent many months as an outpatient at the local psychiatric day care center.

I have taken my medication daily since my second trip to the hospital and I have not had an episode in the last 22 years and have worked successfully many years. The last 4 years I have taken Risperdal and lately Seroquel. Certain times of the year I have more difficulties and there are times when I’m not feeling good and need my medications adjusted. But life has been better then what I expected it would be 25 years ago. 

Thank God for medication.

 

Notes on Schizophrenia

SCHIZOPHRENIA IS: 

• A brain disease, with concrete and specific symptoms due to physical and biochemical changes in the brain 
• Youth’s Greatest Disabler -- age of onset is usually between 16 and 25
• Almost always treatable with medication 
• More common than most people think. If affects 1 in 100 people worldwide 
  

SCHIZOPHRENIA IS NOT: 

• A "split personality" 
• Caused by childhood trauma, bad parenting, or poverty 
• The result of any action or personal failure by the individual. 

CHARACTERISTIC CHANGES

Personality change is often a key to recognizing schizophrenia. At first, changes may be subtle, minor and go unnoticed. Eventually, such changes become obvious to family, friends, classmates or co-workers. There is a loss or lack of emotion, interest and motivation. A normally outgoing person may become withdrawn, quiet, or moody. Emotions may be inappropriate -- the person may laugh in a sad situation, or cry over a joke -- or may be unable to show any emotion at all. 

Thought disorder is the most profound change, since it prevents clear thinking and rational response. Thoughts may be slow to form, or come extra fast, or not at all. The person may jump from topic to topic, seem confused, or have difficulty making simple decisions. Thinking may be colored by delusions -- false beliefs that have no logical basis. Some people also feel they are being persecuted -- convinced they are being spied on or plotted against. They may have grandiose delusions or think they are all-powerful, capable of anything, and invulnerable to danger. They may also have a strong religious drive, or believe they have a personal mission to right the wrongs of the world. 

Perceptual changes turn the world of the ill person topsy-turvy. Sensory messages to the brain from the eyes, ears, nose, skin, and taste buds become confused -- and the person may actually hear, see, smell or feel sensations that are not real. These are called hallucinations. 

Schizophrenia is not now curable, but through the use of anti-psychotic medication and psychotherapy, the positive symptoms of schizophrenia can usually be controlled.
Full recovery may occur, but it cannot be predicted. In some cases people get better on their own. Remission usually comes within the first two years and is rare after having the disease for five years. With advancing age, particularly after 40, life for the person with schizophrenia often becomes less difficult: positive symptoms tend to diminish and medication can often be taken at a low dose or less frequently.

"HOW IS SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATED?"

Although schizophrenia is not yet a "curable" disease, it is treatable. The proper treatment of schizophrenia includes the following: 

Medication -- Most patients with schizophrenia have to take medication regularly to keep their illness under control. It is not possible to know in advance which
medication will work best for an individual. Many medication adjustments may be required. This period of trial and error can be very difficult for everyone involved.
Some medications have unpleasant side effects -- dry mouth, drowsiness, stiffness, restlessness, etc. 

Education -- Patients and their families must learn all they can about schizophrenia. They should also be directly included in planning the treatment program.
Families should find out what assistance is available in their community -- including day programs, self-help groups, and work and recreation programs. It is most
important for the patient and the family to accept the fact of the illness, and begin to learn how best to manage it. 

Family Counseling -- Since the patient and the family are often under enormous emotional strain, it may be advantageous to obtain counseling from professionals who
understand the illness.

Hospitalization and Regular Follow-up -- If someone becomes acutely ill with schizophrenia, they will probably require hospitalization. This allows the patient to be
observed, assessed, diagnosed, and started on medication under the supervision of trained staff. The purpose of hospitalization is proper medical care and protection.
Once the illness is stabilized and the patient is discharged from hospital, regular follow-up care will reduce the chances of relapse. 

Residential and Rehabilitation Programs -- Social skills training, along with residential, recreational, and vocational opportunities tailored to people with mental illness are very important. Used as part of the treatment plan, they can result in improved outcomes for even the most severely disabled people. 

Self-Help Groups -- Families can be very effective in supporting each other and in advocating for much-needed research, public education, and community and
hospital-based programs. People with mental illness can also provide consultation and advocacy in these areas, as well as offering peer support to other individuals with
schizophrenia. 

Nutrition, Rest and Exercise -- Recovery from schizophrenia, as with any illness, requires patience. It is aided by a well-balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular
exercise. However, the illness and the side effects of medication can interfere with proper eating, sleeping, and exercise habits. There may be appetite loss, lack of
motivation, and withdrawal from normal daily activity. Someone who is ill may simply forget to eat, or become very suspicious about food, so supervision of daily routines
may be required. If you are a family member or friend who is trying to help -- be patient. Above all, don't take seeming carelessness or disinterest personally. 

What has helped me -- Some things I do to keep mentally healthy take my medication as prescribed by my physician and seeing my physician on a regular basis when needed. Talking to a mental health professional about problems as they arise. Keeping as active as I can without getting overstressed or too tired. Exercise (for me going for a walk everyday). Make sure I get enough sleep every night. Contacting my physician’s nurse as soon as possible if I notice any changes in how I feel (i.e. not able to sleep enough).

If you or a loved one is experiencing mental health problems contact your family physician. Let them know what’s happening. They can help by prescribing medications or referring you to the right professional. Mental illness is treatable and people with mental illness can lead satisfying and productive lives.

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