Skip to main content

World Schizophrenia Day 2021: The Truths

Generally, people develop compassion for others who have a health condition, however, this is not the case when it comes to schizophrenia. World Schizophrenia Day (May 24th) is our opportunity to learn the facts about schizophrenia, and to reduce the fear, myths, and stigma that prolongs widespread negative perceptions. Schizophrenia is a widely misunderstood brain disorder that creates significant challenges for people. People with this the condition may experience a wide range of debilitating symptoms such as false beliefs and perceptions, bizarre behaviors, and confusion.

    World Schizophrenia Day was established to honor Dr. Philippe Pinel. Pinel acknowledged the humanity of his patients. He ordered staff to remove the chains and advocated for better treatment. Frequently, people identify schizophrenia as a personality disorder, which is a myth. Schizophrenia is a thought disorder characterized by psychosis, which is a break in reality. Schizophrenia is not dissociative identity disorder otherwise known as multiple personality disorder or split personality disorder. Yet, the term schizophrenia can contribute to the misinformation about the type of illness which schizophrenia is a part of. In 1908, Eugen Bleuler coined the term schizophrenia that is the "splitting of the mind." The term refers to the brain’s inability to function and manage.

    The truth is schizophrenia is a manageable condition through a variety of approaches. For example, antipsychotic medications can help reduce the symptoms of psychosis, hallucinations, and delusions. These symptoms refer to the person’s lack of ability to distinguish what is real for them versus reality. Common delusions focus on the idea that an individual is Jesus Christ, the food has been poisoned, people are spying, or aim to attack and kill. Hallucinations can take on all five senses such as hearing and seeing things that others do not. Delusions and hallucinations are not imaginary or fantasy—these symptoms can be perceived as a real threat, belief, and experience despite alternative information and facts presented by family, friends, and professionals.

    Another approach to wellness is counseling. There may be individual and group therapy. The therapist will teach people how to manage symptoms by providing alternative coping strategies and ways to address events and stressors that affect the individual’s life. Peer support is another method to helping people learn about coping tools to control the symptoms. Self-help groups, outpatient programs, and peer centers may have peer support persons that are people with similar health conditions who offer insight and support to others on ways to manage recovery.

    World Schizophrenia Day is important to me because it restores genuine curiosity for this illness that will help breakdown the stigma. I look at my mental health condition as a medical illness that deserves a chance at discussion without judgment and prejudices. There are so many myths that overpowers the truths. 

    Still, recovery is possible. The truth is this condition like other severe health issues should promote education, support, and dignity. World Schizophrenia Day is a day to reflect, learn, and develop our understanding of schizophrenia to seek help, and to stop perpetuating the myths, discriminatory practices, and ostracizing. Let’s promote the truth—share the facts.


References/Facts

  • Britannica: Philippe Pinel, French Physician 
  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) - Mental Health Information, Brochures and Fact Sheets: "Schizophrenia"
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): "Changing Focus: The Right to Treatment of Serious Mental Illness,"  Elinore F. McCance-Katz, MD, PhD 
  • Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "History of Schizophrenia"

    • Labels

    Labels:

    Comments

    Post a Comment

    Popular posts from this blog

    by A Guest Blogger: For Addicts, Recovery Means Creating a New Life

    If you’re struggling to maintain your sobriety, you aren’t alone. There are millions of fighters just like you working toward reclaiming their lives from drugs and alcohol. There are a few common traits that many successful recovering addicts share. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can follow in their footsteps. They establish new patterns You can’t continue to live your life the same was you did when you were using. You must change and adapt to your newfound sobriety. Consider a career change; many recovering addicts find they have more success by starting their own business. One career that is easy to enter is dog walking. As a dog walker , you’ll reap many rewards including getting to spend time with dogs, which can actually boost your recovery efforts and stave off depression. Dogs have been used as part of a treatment plan for users as young as 11 and come with the added benefit of helping you stay physically active. Plus, being with ...
    2 comments
    Read more

    What Is Remission?

    Remission is the absence of symptoms for at least six months with the support of medication. In other words, a doctor who has never seen you before may not diagnose you as a person with schizophrenia anymore. Remission is also high functioning in several aspects of life, living independently, goinig to school or to work, and socializing with other people. However, this does not mean the patient is cured or the illness has went away, the illness is still present, however, under control. Remission is achieved with the assistance of medication. "Published studies suggest that 10% to 20% of people with schizophrenia have remission of their illness as they get older, 20% get worse, but in a large majority (60% to 70%), the course of illness remains relatively unchanged." To reach remission it is recommended that you aim for a stress-free environment. Therefore, do things to relieve stress such as journaling, exercising, talking to friends, listening to or creating music, making a...
    9 comments
    Read more

    Religious Preoccupation

    After a talk, a woman asked me if my faith contributed to my recovery because she noticed that I mentioned it throughout my speech. In addition to that, she told me that she observed people with faith as having a better outcome in their mental health recovery. First, I came from a family with Christian values. My faith in God started to get intense during the latter years of high school, which in my opinion, is when I started having symptoms. In my experience religion plays a major role in my mental health- its delusions, its coping skills, and in my recovery. In medical terms they call my religious rituals and delusions "religious preoccupation." Before I was diagnosed I was highly religious. In fact, I wanted to be an evangelist and to go to a Christian college. I would read my Bible for several hours a day throughout the day, listen to hymns, and meditate. Sometimes I would ignore people if they wanted my attention while I was meditating I was in such deep thought. Also, I...
    15 comments
    Read more