Let’s Remove The Stigma.
When most people read the word schizophrenia they cringe, why? Well, maybe it’s gotten too much bad press in the past.
Most people won’t even want to read this blog. I hope they do, as I am trying to demystify as much about disabilities and mental health issues as I can.
When we educate ourselves and learn about different conditions we also help to remove the stigma.
The stigma that has built up through ignorance and a lack of education can be exploited by others. It can also leave many families of people with the condition very frightened until they get help for themselves and their loved one.
So how can we understand what schizophrenia is better?
What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is no different from any other mental health condition. Once diagnosed and treated people can lead independent lives.
It is an uncommon disorder. But it is a chronic and severe mental health disorder that affects how people, who have the condition, think, feel, and behave. They may seem like they have lost touch with reality. This can be very frightening for the person involved as well as their family and friends.
About 1 in every 100 people will have one episode of schizophrenia but only 2/3 of these people will have further episodes. Schizophrenia as a condition usually starts in the late teens or early 20s, but can also affect older people for the first time.
So what are some of the symptoms we need to be aware of with schizophrenia?
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia may develop slowly. The first signs may be the person becoming socially withdrawn, unresponsive or experiencing changes in sleeping patterns.
These can be hard to identify as it’s not uncommon for many teens and young adults to experience these symptoms. But if you feel your child or loved one has changed significantly try to persuade them to see a GP. Always trust your gut instinct as a parent first and if you need a second opinion ask for it.
Other symptoms include:
(Remember these can creep up gradually)
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Confused thoughts (thought disorder)
- Socially withdrawn
- Lack of care about appearance and personal hygiene
- Losing interest and motivation in life and activities, including relationships and sex
- Lack of concentration
- Not wanting to leave the house
- Changes in sleeping pattern
- Being less likely to initiate conversations and feeling uncomfortable with people, or feeling that there is nothing to say
Some of these symptoms can often lead to relationship problems with friends and family because they can sometimes be mistaken for deliberate laziness or rudeness.
As I said they can often be contributed to teenagers going through a “phase”. But please trust your gut here as a parent and seek help sooner rather than later.
What are the causes of schizophrenia?
Causes Of Schizophrenia.
It can be difficult to identify why one person develops schizophrenia. But research suggests that some people may be prone to schizophrenia. Sometimes a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.
Other risk factors for schizophrenia may include:
- Genetics: Schizophrenia tends to run in families, but no individual gene has been identified as yet for being responsible.
- Brain development. Studies have shown that there are subtle differences in the structure of the brain or small changes in the distribution or number of brain cells. This is not seen in everyone with schizophrenia and can occur in people who do not have a mental illness.
- Neurotransmitters. Research suggests that schizophrenia may be caused by a change in the level of two neurotransmitters: dopamine and serotonin.
- Infection. Certain viral infections may play a role in the development of schizophrenia.
- Pregnancy and birth complications.
- Head injury.
- Triggers such as stress and Drug abuse.
How Is Schizophrenia Diagnosed?
If you are concerned that you may be developing symptoms of schizophrenia, or a loved one may be, see your GP as soon as possible. The earlier schizophrenia is treated, the more successful the outcome tends to be.
Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and check that they are not the result of other causes, such as recreational drug use. If your GP suspects you may have schizophrenia they will refer you to community mental health team (CMHT) or psychiatrist.
A member of the CMHT team, ( a psychologist or psychiatrist) will carry out a more detailed assessment of your symptoms. There is no single test for schizophrenia. Most mental health care professionals use a ‘diagnostic checklist’, where the presence of certain symptoms and signs indicate that a person has schizophrenia.
Remember, although you may be feeling anxious and worried about the stigma attached to the condition, it is a positive step you are taking. This will enable you to get good treatment and help with your condition.
Treatment For Schizophrenia
People with schizophrenia can be referred to a community mental health team (CMHTs) by their GP for the most part. Others are looked after by their GP or a specialist only.
The goal is to provide you with an assessment known as a care programme approach (CPA) in which you will receive day-to-day support and treatment while ensuring you have as much independence as possible.
A Community Mental Health Team can be made up of:
- social workers
- community mental health nurses (a nurse with specialist training in mental health conditions)
- counsellors and psychotherapists
- psychologists and psychiatrists (the psychiatrist is usually the senior clinician in the team)
Care programme approach (CPA) has four stages. It is there to give you the best treatment and support in order to live as independently as possible.
- Assessment will be carried out of your health and social needs.
- Care plan: A care plan is created to meet your health and social needs.
- Appointment of a care co-ordinator: a care coordinator, sometimes known as a key worker, and is usually a social worker or nurse. These people will act as your first point of contact with other members of the CMHT.
- Reviews: Your treatment will be regularly reviewed and, if needed, changes to the care plan can be agreed.
Treatment for schizophrenia usually involves a combination of antipsychotic medicines and psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or family therapy.
More serious schizophrenic episodes may require admission to a psychiatric ward at a hospital or clinic. This can be on a voluntary basis if your psychiatrist agrees that it is necessary.
Family Therapy
Family therapy or therapy for a carer is important. Schizophrenia can place a strain and stress on a family and all its members. It is always helpful to talk about these issues and how best to cope with helping and supporting a loved one.
This type of therapy usually takes place over a six month period and includes:
- Discussing information about schizophrenia and helping you better understand schizophrenia.
- Exploring ways of supporting somebody with schizophrenia.
- Deciding how to solve practical problems that can be caused by the symptoms of schizophrenia.
If you think you and your family could benefit from family therapy, please call us for an appointment or speak to your GP.
Living With Schizophrenia.
It is important that you reduce stress, get enough sleep and keep healthy. I would suggest this to both the carer and the person with schizophrenia.
Make sure to attend therapy, take your medication and see your GP at least once a year to have an annual check-up.
Stop smoking and check if your medication allows alcohol or not.
What Can Family, Friends And Partners Do To Help?
Initially, it can be very worrying and frightening when someone you love has a schizophrenic episode. But you play an important role in their lives. They are not able to “pull themselves together” and it is vitally important you do not blame them for their schizophrenia.
It is important you stay positive and support your loved one. For this reason, you may wish to avail of therapy yourself to talk through any issues or stress that may have arisen.
At first the attention is all on getting help for the person involved. But afterwards you will have emotions that you will need support with and help in reducing your own stress also.
You will play an important role in supporting the person. Help them by monitoring their mental state and watching for relapses. Plus encouraging them to take medication and attend appointment and therapy. Throughout this process you need to look after your own mental and physical health also. So don’t neglect your visits to the GP and dentist.
Get yourself educated about schizophrenia and perhaps this blog is your first port of call in this process.
You may need to help the person access all their rights and entitlement too. So knowing where to go for help is important. Mental Health Ireland and Shine can help you in Ireland, please check out your local supports.
Depression And Suicide
Some people with schizophrenia can experience periods of depression. These symptoms should not be ignored and you should see your GP for advice and treatment.
If you are worried about suicidal thoughts speak to your GP or care co-ordinator immediately.
The warning signs that people may be considering suicide include:
(Please note that sometimes there are no warning signs. So don’t wait if you feel someone has depression or maybe suicidal.)
- Making final arrangements, such as giving away possessions, making a will or saying goodbye to friends.
- Talking about death or suicide. This may be a direct statement such as, “I wish I was dead,” although depressed people will often talk about the subject indirectly, using phrases such as “I think that dead people must be happier than us” or “Wouldn’t it be nice to go to sleep and never wake up?”
- Self-harm, such as cutting their arms or legs or burning themselves with cigarettes.
- A sudden lift in mood, which could mean that a person has decided to commit suicide and feels better because of their decision.
If you see any of these warning signs:
- Get professional help such as from a crisis resolution team (CRT), GP or CareDoc or the duty psychiatrist at your local A&E department.
- Let the person know that they are not alone and that you care about them.
- Offer your support in finding other solutions to their problems.
- Stay with them while you get help or have someone else stay with them. And remove all available means of suicide, such as sharp objects and medication.
As I said at the start this post is about educating you or a loved one in understanding schizophrenia. I hope it may help reduce the stigma as well.
I also offer a free stress reduction training in my Free group for mums Less Stressed More Success For Mums.
Work With Me.
Remember you are allowed to ask for support. No one is an island. If you need extra support then you can also work with me. We all struggle with stress and overwhelm from time to time. If you find this has become a problem for you and you’d like some support then schedule an appointment with me.
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