Overcoming Schizophrenia

Anonymous Drifter from Disjointed Thoughts asked : "I'd like to know why some of those with schizophrenia are so functional despite their illness while others are totally debilitated." Answer : There are several factors that determine a person's recovery. How one responds to treatment, coping skills, whether negative symptoms are treated, consistent medication compliance, time of treatment, personal history, insight, substance abuse, and support. The statistics mentioned come from a study of 23 cases of schizophrenia patients who have successfully returned to school or work, the study was performed by UCLA. Everybody is different, Sally may respond to X treatment, but Bob may not. One's success with treatment requires trial and error until the proper medication is found. For example, Carol North tried several treatments for her schizophrenia until finally finding a solution to rid herself of the voices. How one reacts to stressors is indicative of how they may re...

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disease that affects a person's perspective of reality, emotional response, and cognitive skills. This disease is known for hallucinations, delusions, social isolation, and trouble concentrating. Although schizophrenia affects men and women equally there are some gender differences that should be acknowledged. Several studies indicate that the mental illness affects males sooner than females by about three to four years. Males commonly develop schizophrenia between the ages of 15 and 25, while the illness affects females between the ages of 15 and 30, and a smaller group between ages 45 and 50. In the earlier stages of the disease men seem to have it more severely than women. This may be the result of estrogen because women develop the hormone during puberty . Estrogen acts like an anti psychotic for women delaying the onset of the diseases and its severity. However, after menopause estrogen levels decrease, and women seem to experience the diseas...

In this post I plan to discuss the reasons why involuntary medication compliance is needed in the community and safe for the mentally ill patient. Forty-two states have what is called "Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT)," or "outpatient commitment" which is Court-ordered medication compliance ( http://www.psychlaws.org/BriefingPapers/BP4.htm ). "What is a Petition for Assisted Outpatient Treatment: A mentally ill individual who does not comply with his/her treatment plan can deteriorate, lose the ability to make rational decisions, and become dangerous in the future. After a petition is filed, a hearing is set where a Judge would be able to order an individual into treatment Assisted Outpatient Treatment - if he/she demonstrates noncompliance" ( http://www.oakgov.com/probate/faq/assist-outpatient-trtmt.html ). 'Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) has been known to reduce hospitalizations, arrests and incarceration, homelessness, violent episodes, and ...

A little over a year ago my psychotic episode led me to steal a military truck. I took the truck in hopes of escaping the "demons". I thought everybody was after me. By committing this crime health professionals were able to diagnose me with schizophrenia. This crime landed my five months in a jail and in a hospital. At first I thought I was in hell, then I thought being in jail was a hoax. I told my mother not put any money towards my bail. My family was very supportive. They visited me, wrote emails, and collected bail money from the family. However, my sickness would not allow them to get too close. I denied visits, mail, and would not call anyone. In my mind I felt blocked to see my family. Whenever I got mail I would throw it away. My illness had taken over. Therefore they did not immediately bail me out when they had the money because they wanted me to get better first. I was not the same person. I did not do the things that I enjoyed such as going to Bible study and ...