Uniquely Wired: People With Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia . . .

Some of the clients I work with are diagnosed with Schizophrenia. I've learned much from them about their experience of first getting symptoms, and then living with them.

I've learned that Schizophrenia is a family matter. It alters the lives of the parents and siblings, other relatives and friends. It's especially frustrating for all involved because a cure has not been discovered and medications only mask the symptoms. There is also the risk of serious side effects when taking anti-psychotics or other medication.

Schizophrenia is not all darkness. Some of the most courageous, funny, compassionate, intelligent people I know, have this diagnosis.

Schizophrenia Is . . . 

Schizophrenia is almost always considered a chronic brain disorder, affecting more than one percent of the population. When active, symptoms may include delusions, hallucinations, difficulty thinking and focusing, and lack of motivation. However, when these symptoms are treated properly, a large portion of those diagnosed will greatly improve over time.

Types of Schizophrenia 

Paranoid Schizophrenia
People with paranoid schizophrenia hold untrue beliefs (delusions) or hear things others don't hear (auditory hallucinations) . . .
Disorganized Schizophrenia
People with disorganized schizophrenia display disorganized thinking, grossly disorganized behavior, and absent or inappropriate emotional expression. The disease significantly disrupts a person's ability to function in regular daily activities and interactions with other people . . .
Catatonic Schizophrenia
People with catatonic schizophrenia display extreme inactivity or activity that's disconnected from their environment or encounters with other people (catatonic behavior). These episodes can last for only minutes or up to hours . . .

Your View On Medications 

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A True Story of Hope 

One of my co-workers at the community mental health center has Schizophrenia. From her early twenties to her mid thirties, Tara was considered a "hopeless schizophrenic." She was on and off medication, estranged from family, and in and out of hospitals during those years.

As Tara tells it, "One day I decided I could get better by doing one small everyday thing at a time. So I started by making myself a cup of tea and drinking it."

Today, Tara is on a medication combo that works for her. The medications slow her thought process but she says, "I need the meds if I'm going to function in this world." Occasionally, she misses a day of work due to her symptoms.

Tara is married, and right now has a 3 year old dog, and a puppy. Its important to remember that her story happened because Tara made the decision to change her lifestyle, and was committed to making that happen.

The Coin's Other Side

I know people with schizophrenia that choose not to medicate. Many become/are homeless, go from one hospital/haven to another. Others stay with family.

Some with Schizophrenia say they'd rather have their mind be "weird," than to dull their thought process with meds.

Would I choose differently?

The History of Schizophrenia 

History
The word "schizophrenia" is less than 100 years old. However the disease was first identified as a discrete mental illness by Dr. Emile Kraepelin in the 1887 and the illness itself is generally believed to have accompanied mankind through its history . . .

Video: What Schizophrenia Is Part 1 

What Schizophrenia Is Part 1

A little info about what schizophrenia is.

curated content from YouTube

What Are Delusions? 

Delusions are personal beliefs that are not rational, and they are believed to be true even when proven false or are contradicted. They can't be explained by a person's cultural background (i.e., religious practices).

A person's delusions may revolve around a theme, such as grandiosity, or persecution. A grandiose person believes they are someone famous or powerful. Those with delusions of persecution may think people they know, including family, are trying to poison them, that they are always being cheated or conspired against.

Some delusions experienced by people with schizophrenia are rather bizarre. A person may believe people on the radio or television are giving them special messages. They may think others can hear what they are thinking, as if their thoughts are being broadcast.

Its important to remember that to someone with Schizophrenia, the delusions seem real, and likely, not at all bizarre.

Profiles: People with Schzophrenia 

No one's real name is used

JON'S STORY

I knew Jon for nine years. He was diagnosed with the disorganized type of Schizophrenia, meaning his thought and communication processes were confused (by "normal world" standards). His affect was flat. That is, his face was without expression, unless he heard a good joke. Then he'd break into a light-up-the-room smile. Even with medication, Jon heard voices constantly, making it difficult for him to carry on a conversation.

As with many other schizophrenics, Jon blamed himself for the illness. As a young adult he experimented with drugs, and talked about committing minor infractions of the law. In the time I knew him, Jon never let go of his guilt over that, believing the drugs and misbehavior caused his Schizophrenia.

After graduating high school, where he was a star wrestler, Jon became a licensed pilot. To make money, he had a vending machine and sandwich cart business. He remembered both accomplishments, and especially grieved over losing the ability to fly planes.

Jon was kind and showed compassion, and had a sharp, quick wit. His one-liners were hilarious. His family was devoted to his care, making Jon one of the lucky ones. A year ago, Jon died from a physical illness. He was 60 years old. He's one of the dearest people I've ever met.

 

ERIC'S STORY

I worked with Eric 5 years. Recently he moved, with a friend, into the city of Chicago, and is looking for part time work.

Every spring, Eric went off his medication, the first 4 years I knew him. He would then experience a 4-6 week "high" before "crashing into the darkness." For a few months, Eric would manage his symptoms as best he could, but eventually went back on medication. Eric would say, "The high is wonderful, the crash is horrible, and I end up in a dark, painful place I can't see out of." This past spring he did not go off medication, saying he wanted to try "staying in the world."

Eric started getting symptomatic during college. He talked about getting into exploring "other states of consciousness" during that time, but its impossible to say if the exploration is the chicken, the egg, or neither.

Besides composing songs, Eric plays the guitar and sings in a band or solo. He paints fascinating symbolic pictures using acrylics, and likes writing poetry and short stories. He is extremely insightful, and turned to spirituality to help him manage symptoms and come to terms with Schizophrenia.

People sometimes call Eric "the Buddha" or "guru" because he has a compassionate and wise way of talking to people. He's a natural counselor. If you sat next to him on a plane, you'd have a fascinating conversation and wouldn't guess Eric had Schizophrenia. Chances are he wouldn't tell you due to the stigma attached to the diagnosis. I'm thrilled he's moving on with his life, but I miss direct contact with this amazing person.

 

WENDY'S STORY

I first met Wendy 11 years ago. She was angry and volatile, making conversation with her difficult. Delusions dictated much of her behavior, such as not using any food or product with sodium chloride on the label (like some shampoos), because salt was poisonous.

Wendy is now in her forties. Until I met her, she'd spent most of her adult life living like a dandelion seed riding the wind. She can remember many times "bumming a ride" and ending up "wherever I ended up."

After a couple years of mixed results on different medications, Wendy and her doctor found a medication combination that changed her life. She never has lost her "wild child" aura, but her anger diminished and she was/is able to think more clearly. Wendy likes who she is now, has a long-time boyfriend, and lives in her own apartment (with one roommate).

Wendy still dresses like she just came from Woodstock, but on her its charming. There is still some delusional thinking, but it doesn't run her life. She's a wonderful poet, enjoys art, and a good philosophical discussion.

I Have Schizophrenia 

EXCELLENT 30 MINUTE MTV "TRUE LIFE" DOCUMENTARY

"I HAVE SCHIZOPHRENIA" (video)
Follow 3 young adults: Josh, Amber and Ben as they try and lead normal lives despite being diagnosed schizophrenics.

Video: What Schizophrenia Is Part 2 

What Schizophrenia Is Part 2

What schizophrenia is Part deux

curated content from YouTube

Another Piece of the Puzzle Found 

The pieces are slowly making a picture

GENETIC SITE FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA DISCOVERED
An international group of researchers has found genetic evidence linking schizophrenia to a specific region of DNA - on chromosome 6. This is the same area where key genes for immune function are located.

While a single gene does not appear to be the source of the development of schizophrenia, the researchers found variations on chromosome 6 that appear to be associated with higher risk. These variations were found most often in people with schizophrenia, leading the scientists to believe that these common variations contribute to the development of schizophrenia.

This area of chromosome 6, in the same area where genes important to the immune system function, provokes questions about whether or not treatments for autoimmune disorders might also be helpful in treating
schizophrenia . . .

Mental Health News 

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FYI

PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA HAVE THE SAME IQ RANGE AS THE NON-SCHIZOPHRENIC POPULATION.

SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA MAY HINDER SOMEONE FROM USING THEIR NATIVE INTELLIGENCE . . .

BUT . . .

DISORDERED THINKING, DELUSIONS, AND HALLUCINATIONS DO NOT INDICATE A PERSON'S LEVEL OF INTELLIGENCE.

What is Recovery from Schizophrenia? 

In repeated, confirmed studies* by the World Health Organization, it was discovered that those with schizophrenia in less developed countries do better, in the long run, than those in the industrial West. (The test results remain controversial).

One theory suggests that less developed countries:
~ Put fewer demands on their people.
~ May have greater tolerance of symptoms and limitations.
~ Have extended families providing support and more opportunities for useful work.
~ Alcohol and drug abuse could be less a factor.

However, more developed countries have extensive resources, ongoing research, easier access to medication, and more treatment services available.

In a different schizophrenia study, (all participants had that diagnosis) recovery was defined by the participants as "freedom from symptoms," by only 14%.** Most participants gave a different definition, which they called, "Psychological-recovery."
They said that psychological-recovery is:
~ Having self-acceptance.
~ Having a strong social network.
~ Being able to monitor and control their symptoms.
~ Taking responsibility for their health recovery.

The psychological-recovery list is similar to "less industrial" list. The obvious difference is that psychological-recovery is less tribal, focusing on individuals coping with schizophrenia.

My thought is, the best "list" is a combined one.

*The WHO studies included China, Czechoslovakia, Colombia, Denmark, India, Nigeria, the Soviet Union, Britain, and the United States.
**The same as studies done with patients who had physical illnesses.

What we perceive is our reality

What Are Hallucinations? 

Hallucinations (and illusions) are quirks in the perception of people with schizophrenia. When hallucinating, a person's sensory experience does not match what others pick up with their five senses. Hallucinations can be auditory (sound), visual (sight), tactile (touch), gustatory (taste), and olfactory (smell).

The most common hallucination is hearing voices that others do not hear. The voice(s) might converse with the person, give commands, or warn them of danger (often where there is none). A voice may keep a running account of the person's activities. Voices can also be comedians.

Illusions are a little different. The senses are stimulated by something verifiable by others, but the sensory experience is misinterpreted by the individual with schizophrenia.

Mental Health Blog 

About the blogger:
Her background is in Psychology and Sociology. She's worked with many diverse individuals of all ages, with varying degrees of mental/physical problems. She enjoys following the news and current research that impacts her area of expertise.

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Legal Rights (USA)

People with schizophrenia enjoy the RIGHTS OF ALL CITIZENS, i.e.:
Voting rights.
Participation in legal agreements: marriage, & business, etc.

Most states have a bill of rights for those with serious mental illness. These include:
The right to privacy.
Treatment with the fewest restrictions.

Mental Health/Schizophrenia Links 

National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
NARSAD, The World's Leading Charity Dedicated to Mental Health Research is the largest donor-supported organization in the world that supports research on brain and behavior disorders.
Natiional Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia . . .
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is dedicated to research focused on the understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health. Go to the "science news" section for many good articles on Schizophrenia.
Website Dedicated To Schizophrenia
The leading independent info source on schizophrenia diagnosis, treatments, news, blogs, support groups and education.
Schizophrenia: Costly By-product Of Human Brain Evolution?
"Our new research suggests that schizophrenia is a by-product of the increased metabolic demands brought about during human brain evolution". . .
Science Daily
Many articles on different mind/brain disorders, including several interesting ones on new schizophrenia research.
Planned Lifetime Assistance Network
PLAN programs were developed to meet the needs of families who are actively planning for the future of an adult child with a disability.
Article: Brain's Wiring Stunted, Lopsided in Childhood Onset Schizophrenia
Growth of the brain's long distance connections, called white matter, is stunted and lopsided in children who develop psychosis before puberty, NIMH researchers have discovered. The yearly growth rate of this brain tissue was up to 2.2 percent slower-than-normal in such childhood onset schizophrenia (COS) . . .
Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder symptoms look like a mixture of two kinds of major mental illnesses that are usually thought to run in different families, involve different brain mechanisms, develop in different ways, and respond to different treatments: mood (affective) disorders and schizophrenia . . .
RxAssist
Patient assistance programs are run by pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. RxAssist offers a comprehensive database of these patient assistance programs . . .
Earth House: Residential Treatment
Earth House is a model residential treatment center for young adults suffering from major mental disorders such as Schizophrenia and Bipolar disorder. To complement medical treatment, the program requires a wholesome diet, daily exercise and the development of habits that will assist recovery and support continued good health.
Brainscans Show Transmission Problems in Bipolar/Schizophrenia
German researchers are now able to answer this question, at least for one common genetic variant: the genetic variant impairs the interoperation of certain regions of the brain . . .
Schizophrenia Does Not Influence Risk of Violent Crime Schizophrenia Does Not Influence Risk of Violent Crime
. . . the idea that people with schizophrenia are generally more violent than those without is not true," says Dr Niklas Långström, one of the researchers behind the study.

 

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Promoting The Emotional Well-being Of Children And Adolescents And Preventing Their Mental Ill Health: A Handbook

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If ever an ounce of prevention was worth a pound of cure, it's in the field of emotional and mental health.

What Is Disordered Thinking? 

Schizophrenia often causes a person's thoughts to rapidly come and go. It affects a person's ability to think "straight" and interferes with an individual's ability to concentrate and focus.

Thoughts can come to those with schizophrenia in illogical order, or in fragments. Their thoughts may not be relevant to the situation they are in (as far as others are concerned). Needless to say, this makes conversing a challenge.

Someone with schizophrenia told me his mind is like an old fashioned, manual, telephone switchboard, and his calls (thoughts) are routed to the wrong place.

Poem: Haunted 

The poet's brother had Schizophrenia

HAUNTED

Do we haunt images
or do they haunt
us?

Is the chicken
the image
of the egg?

Or is the egg
the image
of the chicken?

And where
do we go
from there?

Are we haunted
or do we haunt,
as we play
hide and seek
with images?

~ Bob Crew ~

. . . we play hide and seek with images

Antipsychotic Medications 

Mini-History

The first antipsychotic medications were introduced in the 1950s. Antipsychotic medications have helped many patients with psychosis lead a more normal and fulfilling life by alleviating such symptoms as hallucinations, both visual and auditory, and paranoid thoughts. However, the early antipsychotic medications often have unpleasant side effects, such as muscle stiffness, tremor, and abnormal movements, leading researchers to continue their search for better drugs.

The 1990s saw the development of several new drugs for schizophrenia, called "atypical antipsychotics." Because they have fewer side effects than the older drugs, today they are often used as a first-line treatment. The first atypical antipsychotic, clozapine (Clozaril), was introduced in the United States in 1990. In clinical trials, this medication was found to be more effective than conventional or "typical" antipsychotic medications in individuals with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (schizophrenia that has not responded to other drugs), and the risk of tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) was lower. However, because of the potential side effect of a serious blood disorder-agranulocytosis (loss of the white blood cells that fight infection)-patients who are on clozapine must have a blood test every 1 or 2 weeks. The inconvenience and cost of blood tests and the medication itself have made maintenance on clozapine difficult for many people. Clozapine, however, continues to be the drug of choice for treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients.

Several other atypical antipsychotics have been developed since clozapine was introduced. The first was risperidone (Risperdal), followed by olanzapine (Zyprexa), quetiapine (Seroquel), and ziprasidone (Geodon). Each has a unique side effect profile, but in general, these medications are better tolerated than the earlier drugs.

All these medications have their place in the treatment of schizophrenia, and doctors will choose among them. They will consider the person's symptoms, age, weight, and personal and family medication history.

~ from National Institute of Mental Health ~

Warning Signs of Relapse

Change in sleep habits (getting more or less)

Change in attitude about treatment (skipping therapy appts or doses of medication, apathy, etc.)

Tension, agitation or irritability

Change in eating habits, (< or > in appetite)

Gradual drift into depression or giddiness

Withdrawal from people

 

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Related Mental and Personality Disorders 

Schizoaffective Disorder
Schizoaffective disorder is a condition in which a person meets the criteria for both schizophrenia and a mood disorder, such as depression . . .
Schizotypal Personality Disorder
People with schizotypal personality disorder often have trouble engaging with others and appear emotionally distant. They find their social isolation painful, and eventually develop distorted perceptions about how interpersonal relationships form. They may also exhibit odd behaviors and hold peculiar beliefs . . .
Schizoid Personality Disorder
A condition in which people avoid social activities and consistently shy away from interaction with others. People with the disorder are generally loners with a profound inability to connect with others and form personal relationships . . .

by jaktraks

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