There are myths and plenty of misconceived notions about people diagnosed with schizophrenia disorder. What do you think when you hear that diagnosis? Do you just think that the person is doomed? You just probably need some information.
First.Schizophrenia is a brain disease. It is severe and often disabling. A schizophrenic is suffering from psychosis–an illness that causes severe mental disturbances that disrupt normal thoughts, speech, and behavior.
Second.What are the symptoms?
1. Delusions are a common symptom. Delusions are when the person has false beliefs about something such as they are being followed everywhere they go.
2. Hallucinations are another common symptom. Hallucinations are disturbances in sensory perception. For instance, if you see a homeless person talking to themselves–they probably are talking to a person they believe is there talking to them.
3. Disorganized speech and thinking.
4. Catatonic behavior. Not a very common symptom.
5. Negative symptoms which may include things like blunted affect, reduced speech, lack of motivation, lack of pleasure, and some attention deficit.
Third.There is a successful treatment model for people suffering from schizophrenia. It is not hopeless. The goal is to reduce the number of and severity of symptoms, and preventing psychotic relapses. Like most illnesses, treatment for schizophrenia is more effective when begun early in the illness. Schizophrenia is also treated with some sort of antipsychotic medication.
Once the severe symptoms have been reduced, physicians will usually use a combination of medicine and rehabilitation interventions. People suffering from schizophrenia can manage this very serious disease. If they can manage their psychosis with medication, follow their treatment plan, and hopefully have some sort of support system behind them — they can work, have relationships, and live rewarding lives.
Related Material: A good example of living with this disease is portrayed in: A Beautiful Mind, starring Russell Crowe
Lisa Angelettie, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist, author, and life coach. She has been helping people make smarter life choices since 1998. Get more free tips like this when you subscribe to the GirlShrink newsletter .
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I have been in a few bad realationships before and finally thought I found the one .. Everything was great between us and about 2years into the realationship He lost his mind !! he was diagnosed with schizophrenia things have been so hard since then I really dont know how to cope with his illness and stay together is their any advice you may have ? I just want things to be back to normal again and to realize thats not going to happen is so depressing
Being in a relationship with someone who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia is not easy. In fact, that is an understatement. It is very challenging for people who have loved him his entire life – so for a two year relationship – the odds aren’t in your favor. I have to tell you that things will not be “normal” again. Things have now changed. He has a diagnosis which can be monitored and controlled with medication, but there will be difficult times.
The voices and paranoia associated with schizophrenia are tough for the person suffering from it as well as the people who love them. But having said all of that, there are people who are in relationships. They have mates that are committed to making it work, have done a lot of research on the diagnosis, and have a support system in place.
Try this resource: Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Patients, and Providers
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Hi this is all very new to me…I have just found out that an ex boyfriend of mine has been diagnosed with schizophernia.This is very hard for me because although we are no longer together I still care and think about him quite often. I am now wondering if thats why we had alot of troubles in our relationship there would be times he would say he was going to call me and never did and when I would try to reach him he wouldnt answer and when he would return my calls he wouldnt really have a reason he just wanted to be alone and I knew something was up I thought I knew him quite well. Then about a year ago after we were split for a while I called him and he was not the guy I remembered…he was talking that he sold his soul to the devil and he couldnt tell me anything because “they” told him not too, and it really scared me because he wasnt joking he believed everything he told me. I guess I wish I could of helped him I feel terrible and sick about it I would love to talk to him now and tell that i still care about him and that I’m here if he needs to talk.
Hi Dana. This must be a very difficult time for you, but I can’t sugar coat this. schizophrenia is hard for even the strongest of couples to survive. It is a constant battle for the person who has it, because he is on a tight rope between reality and paranoia. Having to navigate a romantic relationship plus what other familial relationships he has just add more pressure to him as well. I think you can make yourself available to him when he needs you, but you MUST educate yourself about this mental illness, talk to a mental health professional about it, talk to his parents or whoever you feel most comfortable talking to that he is close to and knows what is going on. But most of all follow your instincts. Do what makes you feel comfortable — and walk away if things feel too uncomfortable. You have to also protect your own emotional health.