SCHIZOPHRENIA is a serious mental illness affecting more than 20 million people worldwide. To raise awareness, each year on 24th May, World Schizophrenia Day is marked to help people suffering from this mental illness. The purpose of this day is to spread awareness about this illness and also eradicate the myths. This year, the theme adopted for World Schizophrenia Day is ‘Discover Better Mental Health’.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO),” Schizophrenia is characterised by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behaviour. Worldwide, schizophrenia is associated with considerable disability and may affect educational and occupational performance.”
The term ‘schizophrenia’ literally means “a splitting of the mind” and was coined in 1910 by Swiss psychiatrist Dr. Paul Eugen Bleuler. Schizophrenia starts in early adulthood or late adolescence, typically between the ages of 15 to 28.
There is a lot of stigma around schizophrenia, much of which relates to key symptoms of psychosis:
Delusions, or beliefs not supported by factual evidence. They might believe someone is poisoning their food, that they have special powers, or that some outside organization controls their behavior.
Hallucinations, or seeing, hearing, and feeling things no one else can. They might hear music, voices that say cruel things, or see (and touch) animals that aren’t really there.
Cognitive symptoms, including trouble concentrating, speaking clearly, or answering questions. They might use words or phrases that don’t make sense, say things you can’t understand, or repeat the same phrases.
Management
Schizophrenia is treatable. Treatment with medicines and psychosocial support is effective. However, most people with chronic schizophrenia lack access to treatment.
There is clear evidence that old-style mental hospitals are not effective in providing the treatment that people with mental disorders need and violate basic human rights of persons with mental disorders. Efforts to transfer care from mental health institutions to the community need to be expanded and accelerated. The engagement of family members and the wider community in providing support is very important.
Keeping with the spirit of World Schizophrenia Day, let us abolish the stigma and the fear people have of schizophrenia. Here are some tips for helping a loved one with schizophrenia:
Educate yourself. Learning about schizophrenia and its treatment will allow you to make informed decisions about how best to cope with symptoms, encourage your loved one to pursue self-help strategies, handle setbacks, and work towards recovery.
Reduce stress. Stress can cause schizophrenia symptoms to flare up, so it’s important to create a structured and supportive environment for your loved one.
Set realistic expectations. It’s important to be realistic about the challenges of schizophrenia. Help your loved one set and achieve manageable goals, and be patient with the pace of recovery.
Empower your loved one. Be careful that you are not taking over and doing things for your loved one that they are capable of doing. Support your loved one while still encouraging as much independence and self-help as possible. – The Vibes, May 24, 2021
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