schizophrenia demystified
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that can seriously disrupt a person’s behaviours, feelings, and thoughts. There is much misleading information on the the topic, so we feel it important to be as clear as possible when talking about it. if people are misinformed they can unknowingly cause harm to those with the illness. It is important to us that we help destigmatize schizophrenia so that more people can receive help.
it is paramount that we understand what schizophrenia is and what it isn’t.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Hallucinations
People with schizophrenia can experience hallucinations which can cause them to see or hear things that are not there.
Delusions
People with schizophrenia can experience delusions which can cause them to hold a belief or conviction based on something that is out of touch with their reality.
Confused thoughts and speech
People with schizophrenia can experience their thoughts and speech becoming confused. An individual’s thoughts may be jumbled or hazy, and they may struggle to concentrate on singular tasks. Some people may feel as if they are not in control of their thoughts or speech, which can sometimes cause their behaviours to appear strange or unusual to those not familiar with the illness.
lack of self-care
People with schizophrenia can experience symptoms that may be difficult to diagnose as such, but are important factors to consider when assessing someone who might have the illness. An individual with schizophrenia may have symptoms that include, but are not limited to: a lack of personal hygiene; not being to understand or relate to their thoughts and feelings; the desire to hide themselves away from the outside world; not wanting to engage in things that may otherwise benefit their mental state.
myths about schizophrenia
It is a myth that schizophrenic people are inherently violent. Schizophrenia can cause individuals to be unpredictable, but it is a fallacy that it makes them violent.
It is a myth that schizophrenic people have split personalities. Individuals with schizophrenia experience a reality that can often be very different from everyone else’s, but they do not have multiple personalities.
It is a myth that people with schizophrenia will always require lifelong treatment - someone’s diagnosis can change over time. With effective treatment, people with schizophrenia can live happy and fulfilling lives.
It is important that we work hard to eliminate these myths about schizophrenia. We want to help expunge the negative stigma around schizophrenia, and this can only be done if people know the facts.