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WITH
SCHIZOPHRENIA, thoughts
may become disconnected and confusing. People with the disease may
have a hard time expressing themselves, and others may have a hard
time understanding them. Reasoning, memory and judgment may be poor.
Schizophrenia
often causes delusions. Certain people or events may take on
unusual, even threatening significance. People with schizophrenia
sometimes believe they have very special relationships with famous
people, with nature or with God. Even the most irrational delusions
caused by the disease often seem absolutely real to the person
experiencing them.
Schizophrenia
can cause hallucinations. Voices may be heard when no one is
speaking. Objects or faces may appear distorted. Time may seem
speeded up or slowed down.
Schizophrenia
can make it hard to pay attention or concentrate. It may be easy to
get distracted from finishing a task or following through on a
decision. If anyone asks a question, the answer comes slowly.
At
times, a person with schizophrenia may feel overwhelmed by all that
is going on in the environment. Stressful situations may produce
feelings of confusion and anxiety. Chronic fatigue may result from
spending so much time and energy coping with fears and staying alert
to possible dangers.
Schizophrenia
may make it difficult or impossible to get and keep a job or to take
care of basic needs for food, clothing and shelter.
There
may be so many problems in relationships, it becomes easier to spend
most of the time alone. Even spending time with friends or pursuing
a formerly enjoyable activity provides little or no satisfaction or
pleasure. Emotions people normally express through facial expression
and voice appear to be flat or missing.
At
times, schizophrenia may cause overly aggressive, hostile or violent
behavior. Hospitalization may be needed from time to time to prevent
self-injury or harm to others.
THERE
IS NO CURE FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA,
but treatment can help people with the disease to live a more normal
life. Treatment will almost certainly include drug therapy with some
combination of psychotherapy, psychological counseling and support
services.
The
doctor may begin by prescribing one of a new class of drugs called
atypical antipsychotics. Traditional antipsychotic or neuroleptic
drugs are also helpful in controlling symptoms of schizophrenia,
although there may be unwanted side effects. The atypical
antipsychotics provide similar benefits with fewer, less severe side
effects.
Once
medical treatment begins, the doctor will schedule regular
appointments to make sure the medicine is continuing to work and
side effects are kept to a minimum. Most people with schizophrenia
try several different drugs or combinations of drugs before finding
the solution that works best. This trial and error period can be
frustrating, but it is well worth the time and effort.
If
symptoms lessen while taking a particular drug or combination of
drugs, it does not mean the disease is cured. It means the medicine
is working and should be continued. Symptoms will almost always
reappear if a person with schizophrenia stops taking prescribed
medicine.
If a
particular drug lessens symptoms but causes unpleasant side effects,
discuss it with the doctor. There may be another medicine to try, or
a drug to treat the side-effects.
In
addition to ongoing drug therapy, most people with schizophrenia
benefit from other forms of therapy, counseling and support
services.
While
no amount of talk will cure schizophrenia, support services are
available to help with finding and keeping a job, managing money and
coping with the demands of daily life. A therapist can also teach
clients how to socialize more comfortably and get along better with
others.
THE
PRIMARY GOAL OF TREATMENT
is to help develop the skills and access the resources needed to
live as independently as possible.
Some
people with schizophrenia can live on their own or at home with
their families all or most of the time. Others need to remain in a
psychiatric hospital for prolonged periods. For most people with
schizophrenia, the need for ongoing support falls somewhere in
between and varies as symptoms worsen and improve over time.
In
North Carolina, most people with severe and persistent mental
illnesses access the care and support services they need through a
statewide system of Area Mental Health Programs.
At these
community-based centers, an assigned case manager works with clients
and their doctors to decide how much and what kinds of support
services to recommend. Case managers know what resources are
available in the community and region and help arrange for services
as needed.
SCHIZOPHRENIA
HAS BIOCHEMICAL CAUSES.
There is no reason to feel ashamed or embarrassed.
Schizophrenia
cannot be cured, and virtually all people who have the disease will
need treatment and support services for the rest of their lives.
The
delusions, hallucinations and distorted perceptions that come with
schizophrenia are very real to the person experiencing them. No
amount of reasoning or evidence will change the perceptions.
Symptoms
of schizophrenia can be as upsetting for family members as they are
for the person experiencing them. In addition to drug and talk
therapy for the family member with the illness, others in the family
may benefit from professional counseling to help them cope with the
disease.
Because
the symptoms of schizophrenia can be highly stressful for people
with the disease and those around them, all may benefit from
participating in support groups with other family members of people
with severe mental illnesses.
Email
NAMI North Carolina or call the Helpline at 800 451-9682
for information about resources,
family support groups and education available in or near your
community. |
