Schizophrenia is a mental illness where people hear and see things that aren't there. They can also experience delusions where they believe that someone is after them or paranoid episodes where they are feeling unsafe. Though schizophrenia is a severe mental illness, there are many people living with the condition that can lead wonderful lives. If they take medication and go to therapy, people with schizophrenia can have a productive life just like anybody else. It's still challenging to manage psychosis. But it is manageable with the right treatment. Here is how schizophrenia impact a person's life
Dealing with stigma
There are many misconceptions about schizophrenia that people with the condition have to fight against every day. Some people assume that those with schizophrenia are "crazy," when that is not the case. People with schizophrenia experience symptoms that are unusual that people watching them might not understand. As mentioned above, these individuals see or hear things that aren't there. Somebody with schizophrenia can be seen talking to someone that they believe is in the room, but there's no one present. That might seem like strange behavior if you don't know that the person is schizophrenic. But, it is something that they experience. When a person with schizophrenia is in a psychotic episode, they may experience disorganized speech or have trouble forming coherent sentences. Unfortunately, some people assume that a person with schizophrenia is unintelligent because of this behavior. That can be extremely frustrating to those with the condition because people with schizophrenia are often extremely intelligent. There are many stigmatizing concepts about those with schizophrenia that they have correct. We can help by knowing the correct information and supporting our friends with the condition.
Taking medication such as antipsychotics can help
One way to manage living with schizophrenia is by taking antipsychotic medications. These medicines help people with schizophrenia manage their hallucinations. They also can help support them in sleeping regularly. Antipsychotics have a lot of side effects. They can cause drowsiness and make it hard to stay awake during the day. Some antipsychotics have a rare, incurable side effect called tardive dyskinesia (or involuntary facial twitching). That is after prolonged use of the medication. This condition is rare and only happens with certain antipsychotics. Many people with schizophrenia take antipsychotics and live quite normal lives.
People with schizophrenia can have jobs and families
One of the main misconceptions about people with schizophrenia is that they cannot hold a job or have a family. This is simply not true. There are many individuals who have schizophrenia that work part-time or full-time jobs. Many people that are schizophrenic get married and have children. It's not fair to assume that people who have mental illness cannot function in the world. As long as someone with schizophrenia takes their medication and sees a therapist regularly, they can live a normal functional life. It's a matter of sticking to their treatment plan. It's also a matter of being mindful of their symptoms and reaching out for help when they need it. There are times when medications need to be adjusted. There are moments when a person with schizophrenia needs to reach out to their therapist if they are in a crisis. It helps to have a support system, such as friends and family, who understand what it's like to live with schizophrenia and can be there for the person. The more we learn about the condition, the better we can help our friends that have it.
Going to therapy
It's important for anybody who has a mental illness to see a therapist. Those with schizophrenia can benefit from mental health treatment. They can talk about the struggles they experience with paranoia and delusions in counseling. A therapist is a non-judgmental person who will be there to listen to their concerns. Therapists are trained in understanding mental health issues and disorders. They understand that people with schizophrenia suffer from various symptoms that they cannot control. Medication is one of the only things that can deal with delusions and paranoia. A therapist is patient with a client who has schizophrenia and can help the person sort through these issues.
Talking to a therapist about schizophrenia
Whether you see a therapist online or in person, it can help to discuss your mental health issue, whether it's depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia. Online therapy can be a great place to discuss any mental health concerns. Whether you see a therapist online or in your local area, online therapy is a wonderful place to get help. Don't be afraid to reach out when you need to talk to somebody. Companies like BetterHelp have amazing resources to support people with mental health conditions. You may be skeptical, but it's worth a try if you are suffering. Just remember that people with schizophrenia need support and love just like anybody.
ABOUT AUTHOR: Marie Miguel
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.
Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health-related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.