Schizophrenia is a condition that affects how you feel, think, and behave. Although it can be scary to learn that someone you care about has been diagnosed with this condition, learning more about it can help you manage your own fears, as well as your loved one’s behavior. Below are eight things that are important to know about schizophrenia.
What Is Schizophrenia?
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Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness that usually makes it difficult for people to tell what is real and unreal. People with schizophrenia often hear voices other people don’t hear and have trouble distinguishing between reality and their imagination. They may act or speak in ways that are strange or sometimes even violent. These symptoms can be quite frightening for family members and friends, who may not understand what is happening to their loved ones. Because schizophrenia affects many brain functions, it can be very difficult to diagnose.
Causes of Schizophrenia
Scientists don’t know what causes schizophrenia. It is a life-long mental illness that makes it hard to tell what is real and not real. People with schizophrenia often hear voices or see things that aren’t there. These experiences can seem so real that people with schizophrenia often act based on these voices or visions, which leads to trouble functioning in social situations and work settings.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Understanding schizophrenia is important if you want to learn more about living with and caring for someone who has it. The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three main categories: positive, negative, and cognitive.
Treatment of Schizophrenia
If a schizophrenic is able to properly treat their disease it can dramatically improve their quality of life. A large portion of schizophrenics has not been treated for their disorder, making it incredibly difficult to live a normal life. The treatment of schizophrenia differs from individual to individual but mainly consists of antipsychotic medications and therapy.
How to Care for Someone with Schizophrenia
When you need to care for someone with schizophrenia, it is important to know as much about their disease as possible. This will allow you to help them in a better way and understand what they are going through during their daily lives. This can help improve your relationship with that person, even if it seems difficult to do so. The first thing that needs to be done is to talk directly with a health care professional so that they can best tell you how your loved one should be cared for.
Myths about Schizophrenia
Let’s start with a few myths about schizophrenia. First, schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting or childhood trauma. Many people assume that schizophrenia is a form of dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder), but that is not true—at least according to Psychology Today, multiple personality disorder stems from extremely traumatic events in childhood, while schizophrenia has many causes.
Suicide and Mental Illness
Suicide is a serious concern for many with schizophrenia. In fact, suicide is one of the leading causes of death in people with schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. Individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts need immediate attention and help; read on to learn more about how to spot these signs and how to get help.
Support Resources for People with Mental Illness, Friends and Family
Sometimes people with mental illness find themselves without a support system—and that’s when things can get especially tough. Knowing where to turn for help (or how to help someone else) is critical. Some of our favorite resources: Mental Health America, NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and WebMD. Check out each site’s section on families and friends for specific advice.
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