 Schizophrenia
 |
|
This booklet has been designed to make you think again
about how you view people who suffer from
schizophrenia.
|
 |
The campaign to
increase the understanding of mental health problems and reduce
their [stigma] and discrimination.
1. Schizophrenia
 |
|
This man has schizophrenia. Have you
any idea what is going on inside his head? If you ask him he might
tell you.
Schizophrenia can occur in any
family. People with it may have trouble talking. It can be
difficult to understand what they say. They may use words in an odd
way or even make up their own.
It doesn’t mean that they don’t
understand you. And it doesn’t mean that you can’t get to know
them. Have a conversation. You might have more in common than you
think.
|
2. Schizophrenia
 |
|
This woman has schizophrenia. It is nothing like cancer or a
broken leg. But then neither is being in love.
Anyone can get the symptons of schizophrenia. People with it
may read special meanings into things they see around them. They
may feel that everything is wonderful and important, or frightening
and strange.
|
|
We don’t know exactly what causes these feelings. It is
something to do with genes and brain chemicals. It is everything to
do with life. People may find it hard to make relationships. They
can be very sensitive to stress. Schizophrenia affects the whole
person from the outset.
|
3. Schizophrenia
 |
|
This woman has schizophrenia. Can she boil an egg? Of course
she can, and a lot more besides.
Schizophrenia can occur in any family. At times people with it
may find it difficult to plan and to do things. They may find it
hard to get up and get going. Everything may seem dull and
pointless. These symptoms can make it hard for them to do things
for themselves.
|
|
It can look like they are being lazy. But they are not. It is
something to do with the connections between nerve pathways in the
brain. With effort and encouragement they can move mountains – even
if it is only of washing up.
|
4. Schizophrenia
 |
|
This man has schizophrenia. Is it likely that he will hit you?
About as likely as it is that anyone else will.
Anyone can get the symptoms of schizophrenia. People with it may
think that other people are talking about them. They may be
convinced that they are plotting to harm them. This can be
extremely frightening. A person may act to protect himself or
others he believes to be in danger.
|
|
People get attacked every day – many in their own homes by
people they know. Others go out on a Saturday night looking for a
fight. Some people are aggressive, most are not. People with
schizophrenia are not much different.
|
5. Schizophrenia
 |
|
This woman has schizophrenia. Is she ever going to get better?
Only if your attitude does.
Schizophrenia can occur in any family. People with it may say
they can hear voices when no-one is there. They may think they can
read minds. Some people get well very quickly and never have
another breakdown. Others can have symptoms for the rest of their
lives.
|
|
Treatment gives everyone a better chance of living a normal
life. That doesn’t just mean medication, it means activities,
talking therapies, and you. The way that you treat people with
mental illness can make all the difference. Show some
respect.
|
FACTS ABOUT
SCHIZOPHRENIA
What is
schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is usually thought to
be a mental disorder or illness which disturbs how a person thinks,
feels and behaves. How it affects the person changes over time.
Some may be unwell for a few months only, others may have longer
and repeated episodes. For an unfortunate few, the episodes may be
severe and continuous. It is now possible to predict within the
first two years, which form it will take. Schizophrenia profoundly
affects their health, happiness, and social life. They are more
likely to be physically ill or commit suicide, and many live in
poverty and isolation. Good treatment can go a long way to prevent
this.
Who suffers from
schizophrenia?
One in 100 people develops
schizophrenia at some time in their life. It usually begins during
adolescence or early adulthood, generally a little later for women
than for men. It may occur in people from all classes and walks of
life. However, it occurs more frequently in the most deprived areas
of our larger cities, and many people sleeping rough also suffer
from this problem. About half of those people admitted to hospital
for mental health reasons have schizophrenia.
What causes
schizophrenia?
This is an area of great debate.
Many theories have been put forward in the past which have not been
supported by later scientific research. It is probable that there
are a number of different causes. Modern techniques have
demonstrated that some affected people have changes in the
structure of their brains. There is also evidence that some of
these individuals may have been affected by infections before they
were born. Occasionally the disorder appears to run in families
affecting many members.
Increasingly, it has been shown that
some of the chemical messengers in the brain (particularly two
called serotonin and dopamine) are not working correctly. The
individual’s breakdown may occur as a result of drug or alcohol
misuse, emotional stress or difficulties in life experiences. There
is no scientific evidence to support the idea that how parents
bring up their child can cause schizophrenia.
What treatments are
available?
Effective treatment involves a
number of different approaches. Ideally it is most effective when
given early in the illness. Some form of medication is essential
for most cases. However, this should be in combination with
education about the disorder, support and counselling for the
emotional effects, and psychological training in how to manage
those symptoms that continue despite medication. This work should
be carried out both with the individual, and their family and/or
close friends.
There should be a treatment plan
developed in partnership with the person and their family. This may
include attending a rehabilitation programme to enable them to
return to work, regain social contact with others, and care for
themselves. It can be carried out within a hospital setting but
increasingly it is possible to assist people to live in their own
homes. In many services a team of professionals including nurses,
social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists,
physiotherapists and others are able to contribute their different
skills in assessing and enhancing the abilities of the affected
person. In some areas people who have experienced mental ill health
are employed in this process, through giving advice, counselling
and support, as well as becoming skilled therapists themselves. No
one can understand the distress of a serious mental breakdown as
well as someone else who has had the experience. Self-help groups
are another way of using this valuable expertise.
What can society
do?
People who experience schizophrenic
breakdown have to cope with terrifying experiences. The vast
majority of them do this with dignity, courage and great humanity.
They need to be able to live their lives as ordinary citizens,
taking on the responsibilities as well as the freedoms of that
role. This includes being able to work, learn and take part in
leisure activities in the same way as other people can. Popular
prejudice often prevents this – for instance through campaigns to
stop supportive residential facilities being built in particular
neighbourhoods, or through bullying behaviour in the
workplace.
There are three ways in
which a modern society can improve life for those people affected
by schizophrenia:
- Through public education, reducing
ignorance and prejudice about the disorder.
- By implementing anti-discrimination
measures, so that affected people can take their proper place in
society.
- By improving the therapeutic services
available, and ensuring that treatment programmes are carried out
in partnership with the individual, their families and friends, and
an adequately resourced team. This partnership should have access
to ordinary resources of employment, training, education and
leisure.
|
Helpful Sources of
Advice
Rethink
Head Office
5th Floor
Royal London House
22-25 Finsbury Square
London EC2A 1DX
General enquiries 0845 456 0455
National advice service
020 8974 6814 (open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday) or e-mail:
advice@rethink.org
www.rethink.org
Organisation which is dedicated to improving the lives of
everyone affected by severe mental illness, whether they have a
condition themselves, care for others who do, or are professionals
or volunteers working in the mental health field.
|
Schizophrenia Ireland
38 Blessington Street Dublin 7
Information Helpline: 1890 621 631;
Tel: 00 353(1) 860 1620
e-mail: info@sirl.ie
www.sirl.ie/.
Provides support, information and mutual help for people with
schizophrenia and their families.
|
|
SANE
1st Floor Cityside House
40 Adler Street
London, E1 1EE
National helpline:
0845 767 8000
(noon to 2am - seven days a week)
www.sane.org.uk |
National helpline offering emotional support and
practical information to anyone coping with mental illness, whether
as a sufferer, carer, family member or professional. |
All subjects in
photographs are posed by models
Photography by Vaughan Melzer
Last update: August 2006 |
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr V Y
Allison-Bolger and Dr R L Ramsay for their tremendous help in
writing these booklets and factsheets. Our thanks also go to the
Campaign Management Committee and to the members of the College
Faculties and Sections who have generously given their advice and
help.
Professor Arthur Crisp
Chairman,
Changing Minds Campaign Management Committee
For
further information about the Campaign, please e-mail: stigma@rcpsych.ac.uk
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
 
Please answer the following questions and press 'submit' to send your answers OR
E-mail your responses to dhart@rcpsych.ac.uk
On each line, click on the mark which most closely reflects how you feel about
the statement in the left hand column.
Your answers will help us to make this leaflet more useful - please try to rate
every item.
Did you look at this leaflet because you are a (maximum of 2 categories
please):
Age group (please tick correct box)
|