11 Oct Living with Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a neurobiological disorder. It is one of the most widely known mental illnesses that a lot of people suffer from. There are different theories that explain why people develop the condition. Today, it is accepted that both genetics and environment play a crucial role in developing schizophrenia.
Unfortunately, schizophrenia has to be managed for a lifetime. The best thing that you can do is to manage the disease and to make sure that both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatments were used. What is it like living with schizophrenia? Here are some realities that you have to understand.
It is common to have delusions
Despite all the talk the logical talk, a lot of schizophrenics will experience different types of delusions. This can be problematic because this can lead towards paranoia and could even be a danger to themselves or other people. If you have a loved one with schizophrenia and some associated delusion, it is imperative to always reorient them to what is real.
Voices in their heads
Another common experience of people with schizophrenia is dealing with hallucinations. Hallucinations can come in auditory or visual forms. However, it is a more common trend for schizophrenics to experience auditory hallucinations wherein they hear voices.
As a friend or a relative of someone who has the condition, it is important to tell the person that you can’t hear the voices he or she hears. However, there are instances when you need to inquire what the voices are trying to tell the person. This can help prevent incidences of suicide. It is a common scenario wherein the voices order the person to do activities that can harm them.
Mood swings
It is also common for schizophrenia patients to have anger or irritable mood. These mood swings can be disruptive especially to people around them. For these instances, it is a good idea to turn to your physician. It is a common treatment to provide mood stabilizers especially when their mood swings are quite severe.
Emotional flatness or social withdrawal
For schizophrenic patients showcasing negative symptoms, a lot of these patients are withdrawing themselves from society and even from their family members. It is a common scenario among these individuals that they don’t prefer to interact with people around them.
Unlike diabetes and other conditions that can be cured using pharmaceutical options and a few life adjustments, you have to understand that schizophrenia is a bit different. It may become a permanent problem that the person has to deal with. As a family member or friend of a person suffering from schizophrenia, it is important to accept this reality.
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