Living with Schizophrenia: Understanding the Struggles and Strengths

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how a person perceives reality and behaves. People with schizophrenia may experience persistent delusions, where they strongly believe something is true even when there is clear evidence against it. They may also have persistent hallucinations, such as hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not there. Additionally, they might feel that their thoughts, actions, or emotions are being controlled or influenced by outside forces, or that their thoughts are being broadcast to others.

Other symptoms include disorganized thinking, which can result in jumbled or irrelevant speech, and highly disorganized behavior, where actions may seem bizarre or purposeless. People with schizophrenia often show "negative symptoms," such as speaking very little, having limited emotional expression, losing interest in activities, and withdrawing from social interactions. Some may also experience extreme agitation, slow movements, or unusual postures.

Schizophrenia can also impact cognitive functions like memory, attention, and problem-solving. While some people with schizophrenia experience periods of worsening symptoms followed by remission, about one-third of those affected can achieve complete remission of symptoms. However, others may experience a gradual worsening of symptoms over time.

Causes of Schizophrenia

The exact cause of schizophrenia is not known, but it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Psychosocial influences and heavy cannabis use may also increase the risk of developing the disorder.

Current Services and Challenges

Globally, most people with schizophrenia do not receive the mental health care they need. About half of the patients in mental hospitals have a schizophrenia diagnosis, yet only 31.3% of people with psychosis receive specialized mental health care. Many mental hospitals are ineffective in providing proper care and often violate the basic human rights of patients. There is a strong need to shift care from mental hospitals to community-based mental health services. These community services could include primary health care, community mental health centers, supported housing, and outreach services. Involving family members and the community is crucial for supporting people with schizophrenia.

Management and Support

Effective treatment options for schizophrenia include medication, psychoeducation, family therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychosocial rehabilitation, such as life skills training. Supportive housing and employment services are also important. A recovery-oriented approach, where individuals with schizophrenia are involved in their treatment decisions, is essential for their well-being and that of their families and caregivers.

Source:

Schizophrenia by WHO dated 10 January 2022 (https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia)