Schizophrenia is not the end of life
Schizophrenia is one of the most serious and debilitating mental illnesses. Some of the abnormal behaviors, thoughts, and perceptions of this disease are due to the inhuman and degrading treatment of people with a mental health condition as ‘crazy.’ However, this disease and other mental illnesses originate due to the imbalance or incompatibility between the biochemicals of the brain. Stroke is also a disease of the brain; schizophrenia is also a disease of the brain. However, patients with schizophrenia are kept insane and treated with contempt, contempt, and insults. If a family has a drug addict or schizophrenia, that family becomes a ‘stigmatized’ family. The family and the individual must live a humiliating and degraded life for fear of social inequality and public shame. However, thanks to the contribution of modern medicine, these patients are not only recovering, but they are also building a meaningful and dignified life for themselves.
Mr. Janet Paleo, currently the director of the Recovery-Based Services Texas Council and a board member of the World Foundation for Mental Health, was once a schizophrenic patient. He said, ‘I had nine different diseases; Of these, for schizophrenia, I was most scared, panicked. I had no hope, no future. I wondered why the Creator hated me so much. I hated life, hated myself the most. My mental anguish overwhelmed me, and there was no way out of it. There was no chance to escape from here. But in the end, I had a chance to recover. Now my life is full, new hopes and dreams have been created. It’s time to dump her and move on. “
Current modern medicine has facilitated healing benefits, even as many are engaged in productive and creative work. Twenty-five percent of patients recover completely, another 35 percent can live independently, and another 20 percent improve with support. Only 15 percent cannot improve. But looking at this 15 percent, we have concluded that this disease is not curable. The film ‘A Beautiful Mind’ shows how such patients are finally optimistic despite many adversities. Can achieve life.
It is said that there is no health without mental health. No matter how good your physical health is, if you are not in good mental health, you will not enjoy health and happiness. So, we all need to focus on mental health. Schizophrenia is a chronic disease not because of the condition but because of how society and the health system treat the disease. Those patients get cured with proper treatment, but they can also grow and grow (thrive). For this, they must implement a community-based rehabilitation program along with medicine and therapy. The earlier the treatment is started, the better the results. Jobs, housing, proper education, proper recreation, and a warm and loving family life can accelerate their recovery. In a word, we have to ensure the benefits that we get for a better life for everyone.
The role of the family is also important in this case. The type and level of emotion expressed towards them in the family play a special part. If they are openly criticized, hostile-minded, and try to be extra vigilant, the severity of the disease increases, and the rate of relapse increases. Therefore, if the family members are given psychoeducation and family therapy, the re-attack can be reduced.
Lastly, here are some suggestions on how to look or get an appointment for schizophrenia patients:
- Remember, it is a disease (medical illness). There is no reason to be ashamed of having someone in your family.
- Do not feel guilty about this disease. It is not the result of anyone’s mistake. Accept it.
- Find out what your patient’s symptoms are. The first sign of a recurrence of the disease is that you can prevent a repeat if you can catch it earlier. For example, changes in sleep patterns or social withdrawal.
- Help the patient adhere to it by creating a daily routine.
- Make sure that the patient takes medicine regularly.
- Let the patient understand that he is not dealing with this disease alone. You are with him too. Keep the communication route open.
- Do not express concern, anxiety in public. Again, do not criticize directly and ruthlessly.
- Appreciate it if you can achieve the set goal.
- Remember, taking care of them is emotionally and physically exhausting. Take time for yourself.
- If treatment at home is not possible, seek medical attention.