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[객원 에디터 9기 / 조예서 기자] In the world there are only 0.3% to 0.7% of people diagnosed with schizophrenia. It is a mental illness that can be disabling without care. Those with schizophrenia may suffer from hearing voices, imaginary sighs, or believe other people control their thoughts. This could frighten the person and lead to erratic behaviour.
So how does it affect thoughts? And do they think and feel the same way as most of us do?
How we think is drastically different for those with schizophrenia and those with not. This is because individuals with schizophrenia have trouble organising thoughts and making logical connections, often feeling like their thoughts are removed from their head; this is called ‘thought withdrawal’.
How we think and feel is a privilege we didn’t even realise was there.
Despite the stigma of being violent, schizophrenic people are more of a threat to themselves than to those around them. Although some actions may be violent, and irrational. Most of the harm they cause is keeping themselves or their homes clean.
Some may see bugs instead of water during showers preventing them from maintaining basic hygiene, this by Rosenhan and Selgiman is called failing to function adequately meaning these individuals are abnormal but more importantly suffering.
The cause of schizophrenia is still unknown to this day especially as the changes of someone getting schizophrenia is equal to everyone. Symptoms can start anytime but men tend to show symptoms earlier than women. Diagnosing early schizophrenia is difficult as it may take weeks or months until their first psychosis.
As schizophrenia isn’t a disease of the body but the mind, diagnosis happens with analysis of past behaviours and symptoms. Triggers could cause schizophrenia but it is important to rule out any medical conditions beforehand.
So can schizophrenia be treated?
Schizophrenia drugs are common examples of fixing the symptoms but not the cause. This is because although it reduces hallucinations and abnormal thinking, causes are not addressed in any way. Additionally, there have been side effects but it doesn’t outweigh the need for the medication.
In some cases people undergo cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in which they can question their own truth or their thoughts by disputes.
Forming relationships can be difficult both for the schizophrenic but also for those around them. Unusual thoughts could keep people away. Despite medications and therapy, effort from one side may not be enough. Partners, family, relatives should also play their part to support and learn to grow together and strengthen relationships.
Life with schizophrenia is like living in two worlds. People with schizophrenia live in the world their mind makes up. It can be hard to convince someone with schizophrenia to get help so it is unambiguously important to be supportive and respectful.
