It isn't uncommon to see a person talking aloud as he responds to voices he is hearing in the case of someone with schizophrenia. According to Dr. Femi Olughile, a consultant psychiatrist, this is a major symptom of this mental illness.
The person's speech may be incoherent. He may falsely believe that his life is in danger and that people are after him; coupled with unusual experiences that are strange to the person. For example, he may say the government is after him.
Because people with schizophrenia are out of touch with reality, they may not be aware that they are ill and in need of treatment; and so, may resist any attempt to help them.
How to help a relative with schizophrenia
It should be stated here that the first important requirement is to get medical assessment and treatment as soon as possible. You should understand that the person is out of touch with reality therefore might not willingly submit to examination. This is why there is a provision in the law that a person who is suspected to be suffering from a mental illness-and may as such be a danger to himself and to others-be compulsorily taken to a place of security for observation and treatment.
How is schizophrenia treated?
Treatment for schizophrenia has been available since the mid-nineteen fifties. The first major drug was chlorpromazine. More recently, newer, smarter-and more expensive-drugs have become the mainstay of treatment. There are also non-drug treatments that are employed including psychotherapy of various sorts, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and various psycho-social interventions.
Most persons who receive effective treatment respond positively to treatment and are able to return to some form of normal functioning within the society.
The long-term outcome usually depends on the person's compliance with medication and the amount of family and social support he is able to get.
What does living with schizophrenia entail?
To know this, we must look at it from the perspective of those involved.
First the patient
Yes, it is an unpleasant illness. It's difficult for other people to imagine how scary it must be for someone to feel that he is being controlled by forces outside his control; or hears voices talking about his most intimate actions when he cannot see anyone.
The side effects of the medication are another issue. They may cause drowsiness or sluggishness and weight gain among others. The predicament of taking the medication for several years is usually hard to accept. Not least is the cost of health care over the years.
Moreover, is the stigma associated with mental illness and its resultant case of discrimination and prejudices?
Second the family
Having a son, daughter, wife, or husband who has schizophrenia is tough as it places a significant burden on family relationships. However, the family should realize a caring relationship will help in the recovery process; and show the patient that he is loved.
During initial treatment, the situation should be handled properly to avoid displays of violence which may occur because the individual feels endangered. In addition, some of his/her behavior may be socially embarrassing.
The cost of treatment may have to be borne by the family as the patient might have lost his job.
And lastly the society
Employers often find an excuse to lay off a person who is known to have had a breakdown. Because of stigma, people are unwilling to 'come out' and this drives the whole subject underground. People ridicule others living with mental illness and call them names while the sight of critically ill persons leaves a negative impression on people's minds.
With this short expose, the outlook of schizophrenia on all concerned reveals the condition needn't be looked down upon and needs proper understanding to accept schizophrenics as people and not objects of scorn. People with schizophrenia can be reintegrated into society where they belong; and should be encouraged to live normal lives without
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8801261
The person's speech may be incoherent. He may falsely believe that his life is in danger and that people are after him; coupled with unusual experiences that are strange to the person. For example, he may say the government is after him.
Because people with schizophrenia are out of touch with reality, they may not be aware that they are ill and in need of treatment; and so, may resist any attempt to help them.
How to help a relative with schizophrenia
It should be stated here that the first important requirement is to get medical assessment and treatment as soon as possible. You should understand that the person is out of touch with reality therefore might not willingly submit to examination. This is why there is a provision in the law that a person who is suspected to be suffering from a mental illness-and may as such be a danger to himself and to others-be compulsorily taken to a place of security for observation and treatment.
How is schizophrenia treated?
Treatment for schizophrenia has been available since the mid-nineteen fifties. The first major drug was chlorpromazine. More recently, newer, smarter-and more expensive-drugs have become the mainstay of treatment. There are also non-drug treatments that are employed including psychotherapy of various sorts, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), and various psycho-social interventions.
Most persons who receive effective treatment respond positively to treatment and are able to return to some form of normal functioning within the society.
The long-term outcome usually depends on the person's compliance with medication and the amount of family and social support he is able to get.
What does living with schizophrenia entail?
To know this, we must look at it from the perspective of those involved.
First the patient
Yes, it is an unpleasant illness. It's difficult for other people to imagine how scary it must be for someone to feel that he is being controlled by forces outside his control; or hears voices talking about his most intimate actions when he cannot see anyone.
The side effects of the medication are another issue. They may cause drowsiness or sluggishness and weight gain among others. The predicament of taking the medication for several years is usually hard to accept. Not least is the cost of health care over the years.
Moreover, is the stigma associated with mental illness and its resultant case of discrimination and prejudices?
Second the family
Having a son, daughter, wife, or husband who has schizophrenia is tough as it places a significant burden on family relationships. However, the family should realize a caring relationship will help in the recovery process; and show the patient that he is loved.
During initial treatment, the situation should be handled properly to avoid displays of violence which may occur because the individual feels endangered. In addition, some of his/her behavior may be socially embarrassing.
The cost of treatment may have to be borne by the family as the patient might have lost his job.
And lastly the society
Employers often find an excuse to lay off a person who is known to have had a breakdown. Because of stigma, people are unwilling to 'come out' and this drives the whole subject underground. People ridicule others living with mental illness and call them names while the sight of critically ill persons leaves a negative impression on people's minds.
With this short expose, the outlook of schizophrenia on all concerned reveals the condition needn't be looked down upon and needs proper understanding to accept schizophrenics as people and not objects of scorn. People with schizophrenia can be reintegrated into society where they belong; and should be encouraged to live normal lives without
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8801261
