The misconceptions about mental health disorders make it very hard for the people suffering. Mental health has been a huge taboo. And that’s how clearing out myths is the need of the hour. Let us study a mental health issue and existing myths about it.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health issue. Basically, in this condition, the patient struggles to think, feel, and behave clearly. This condition is termed as “severe”. As a result, the patient may experience and show some very unusual behaviour. Hearing voices (hallucinations) and distorted or false perception, often bizarre beliefs are some common feelings that a patient may experience. They are unable to distinguish between reality and imaginary events.
These events seem real to the patient whereas other people think that they are lost in their own world. Hence, this creates a sense of insecurity for the patients suffering from Schizophrenia. Owing to the signs of schizophrenia, the patient interprets reality in a way that feels abnormal to others. The patient may feel like other people are trying to harm them or control them. Oras if they are compelled or forced to act in a certain way because according to them everything is a reality already. All these after feelings increase the mental stress and sense of fear in the patient.
Also check out: Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Usually, the patient is not aware of the change in their behaviour. They may not even accept the fact they are behaving any differently or weirdly. This is because the line between internal and external reality is blurred for them and they are unable to distinguish between reality and imagination. All these factors somewhere cut them out from family and friends. Also, they may refuse medical support due to neglect in accepting the illness.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Delusions – These are false imaginations that seem to be real. For example, the patient may feel that someone is harassing them or trying to harm them, whereas in reality there is nothing like that.
Hallucinations – This means seeing or hearing things that do not exist. But the force of effect on the brain is so strong when a person is suffering from Schizophrenia that it seems real to them. Not only this but the patient can experience the full force effect.
Disorganized thinking (speech) – A person usually finds it difficult to speak clearly with disorganized thoughts. It can be difficult for the patient to have effective communication and often end up speaking partially or completely unrelated things.
Extremely disorganized or abnormal motor behaviour– This symptom might be seen in different ways. From childlike silliness to unpredictable agitation. There is no specific goal behind the behaviour, hence it goes without any direction. Hence, this makes it difficult to do tasks. Abnormalities in behaviour can include mismanagement in handling instruction, inappropriate or bizarre posture, a complete lack of response, or useless and excessive movement.
Also check out: Schizophrenia Symptoms- Positive and Negative.
Negative symptoms – Here, negative symptoms refer to the declining ability to behave normally. For example, the person may neglect personal hygiene or appear to lack emotion (doesn’t make eye contact, doesn’t change facial expressions, or speaks in a monotone).
Myths about Schizophrenia
There are some existing myths about Schizophrenia that needs to be cleared
Myth No. 1: It means you have multiple personalities.
It is one of the biggest myths about Schizophrenia. One poll found that 64% of Americans believe the condition involves a split personality, which means someone acts like they’re two separate people. This mental health disorder involves Hallucinations and Delusions, people often relate it to split personality. A person with schizophrenia doesn’t have two different personalities. Instead, they have just lost touch with reality.
Myth No. 2: Most people with schizophrenia are violent or dangerous.
Even though people with schizophrenia can act unpredictably at times, most aren’t violent, especially if they’re getting treated. The majority of the times people with schizophrenia are more likely to be victims of violence. They’re also more likely to harm themselves than others. Suicide among people suffering from Schizophrenia.
Myth No. 3 – Bad parenting is the cause. Mothers, in particular, often get blamed.
This is absolutely misleading. Schizophrenia is a mental illness and has nothing to do with parenting. Schizophrenia has many causes including genetics, trauma, and drug abuse.
Myth No. 4: If a parent has schizophrenia, you’ll get it, too.
Genes do play a role. New research has led scientists to find that schizophrenia is more likely to run in the family. But the chances of developing this illness are still highly determined by other factors, including how many people with schizophrenia live in your home environment, whether or not you were physically abused as a child, and if you attended school with lots of people during your developmental years.
Myth No. 5: People with schizophrenia aren’t smart.
Genes definitely play a role in how well someone with schizophrenia will do in school, but the truth is that most people with schizophrenia are still able to function fairly well, attend school or work. Studies show that many people with schizophrenia continue to hold down jobs and undertake college studies.
Myth No. 6: If you have schizophrenia, you belong in a mental hospital.
Schizophrenia is a chronic illness, not a case of having lost your mind. People with schizophrenia generally do not need to be institutionalized. Many people with the disorder can live productive lives in the community.
Myth No. 7: You can’t hold a job if you have it.
Schizophrenia can interfere with someone’s ability to work, but that doesn’t mean they can’t. Some people can hold down a job but may have trouble doing so. Work settings are generally designed to accommodate the needs of people with many different disabilities.
Also check out: Can What You Eat Affect Your Mental Health?
