Forward House Community Society

Schizophrenia

" It's like being in a different world - you're out of our mind on another planet-and when coming back o reality is hell - everything is strange.... Cars, shops, people.... It feels like I'm coming back to another planet- earth - and I've never been here before. I have been all over the place in my mind and on the streets - now I'm starting to get back to reality, slowly... by taking the right medication as a responsible Doctor should prescribe... eating properly, sleeping and getting a little exercise.... a little here and there.... but gradually I'm getting well. I've been through a lot of hard experiences, injustice and suffering, but my spirituality keeps me going.  Society needs to learn that schizophrenia is an illness not a crime.  People with mental illness need some dignity and respect.  People can and do get well. - Don't give up.  I've seen through more than most.... If I can get well, as I am, others can too.

Schizophrenia is a mental illness That affects approximately 1 in 100 people worldwide regardless of race, culture, socioeconomic status or gender.  It involves radical changes in perception and thoughts in the form of delusions, hallucinations and bizarre thoughts.  It can come on slowly and gradually or suddenly and severely; onset of symptoms usually starting between the ages of 15 and 30 years of age.  It is very difficult for others to understand, let alone the person experiencing it, especially as effective communication during an episode can become almost impossible.  If you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia or have been experiencing schizophrenic symptoms, do not despair.... People can and do it well.  Keep your faith and don't give up.

Signs & Symptoms  

1) Delusions: Irrational or false beliefs, which are not validated by others.  Although delusions are irrational to others, the experience of them may be backed by logical patterns in the person's mind and tend to be culture specific.  Two common kinds are:

Paranoid Delusions- characterized by a belief that one is being persecuted, flowed, watched, controlled or attacked (if scary enough, these delusions can result in an attack in self defense).

Delusions of Grandeur- centered on a belief's that one is an exalted figure like Jesus Christ, or that one has a huge responsibilities in the world or on a very special mission to save the world, for example.

2) Hallucinations: Anything a person hears, feels, tastes or smells something that others can't.  Hearing voices is a common hallucination for those with schizophrenia.  NB: a clairaudient hears voices considered to be angelic or of one's spirit guides.  Someone with schizophrenia my hear angelic voices, negative or scary voices, or a bunch of voices.  Usually, however, a clairaudient is someone who has consciously chosen to develop psychic gifts, and someone with schizophrenia is not able to control of what comes into their consciousness and the voices are usually disturbing.

3) Sensory over-acuteness:  Sometimes schizophrenia involves a bombardment of disturbing thoughts or sensory experiences that can really "drive on e crazy". The person feels overwhelmed by thoughts, mental distortions, and hallucinations that can come at a very high speed.

In addition, the schizophrenia experience could involve heightened states of awareness or the opposite extreme where one shuts down and cannot feel anything, probably from experiencing a sensory overload prior to this.

All of these experiences can lead to behaviors that are unusual and difficult to understand for the outside observer.  Hey can result in disorganized speech o disorganized or catatonic behavior.

4) Disorganized speech: The individual has difficulty synthesizing visual and auditory stimuli resulting in communications /responses that are difficult to understand by others.  Thought patterns are characterized by impaired logic loose associations, difficulty maintaining a line of thought, "neologisms," and word salad."

5) Disorganized or Catatonic Behavior: Doing things in response to hallucinations or thoughts that appear very illogical to the average observer.  For example, pulling down things in a room, dismantling objects, responding to things that aren't there, or doing ritualistic behavior such as covering objects, posturing or parroting. 

Negative or secondary symptoms these include:

Lack of motivation and direction.
Social withdrawal.
Emotional flatness or seeming sense of indifference.
Emotional inappropriateness, like laughing at a tragedy.
Neglect of personal hygiene.
Distorted or limited sense of self.

A psychiatrist, using the "Diagnostic and statistical Manual of Mental Disorders" (DSM) from the American Psychiatric Association, diagnoses schizophrenia on the basis of the following symptoms (the first 4 are called acute or positive symptoms, being the most serious):

Delusions.
Hallucinations.
Disorganized speech.
Grossly Disorganized or Cationic Behavior.
Negative or Secondary Symptoms.

For a diagnoses of schizophrenia, two or more of the above five kinds of symptoms need to be present for a significant portion of one month period OR one major symptom only id delusions are bizarre or if voices are being experienced intensely (acute stage of schizophrenia).  Furthermore, a diagnosis of schizophrenia requires that continuous signs of the illness be evident for six months or more.

Although this is a rough guideline, it gives you some idea of the basis on which a psychiatrist will (or should) make a correct diagnoses o schizophrenia.  More details can be found by looking at the latest edition of the DM, which can be found at a local library or mental health centre.

Types of Schizophrenia:

1) Paranoid: preoccupation with one or more delusions or frequent auditory hallucinations.  No major signs of disorganized or catatonic behavior.

2) Disorganized: disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, flat or inappropriate emotion/affect; no signs of catatonia.

3) Cationic: at least2 of the following:

Immobility or stupor.
Excessive motor activity (apparently purposeless).
Extreme negativism.
Stereotyped movements, posturing, prominent mannerisms or grimacing.
Echolalia or echopraxia.

4) Undifferentiated Type: involves the presence o the major symptoms but does not meet the criteria for paranoid, disorganized or catatonic type.

5) Residual absence of prominent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and grossly, disorganized or catatonic behavior.

  
6) There is presence of negative symptoms or two or more major symptoms in an attenuated form.

Ok- although it never helps to get bogged down with labels, knowing on what basis the psychiatrist has diagnoses schizophrenia may be helpful to you and it may influence the kind of medication/treatment the Doctor will prescribe.  However, the main thing is not the label but what you have experienced and what will help you think and feel the way you want to feel and think. 

The word schizophrenia means literally "splitting of the mind."  However, this is an ambiguous and oversimplified definition, the experience of schizophrenia being so much more difficult to explain than this.  There are many myths about schizophrenia that could have come from such a limited understanding.  Let's bust some....

• For example: Schizophrenia is NOT a split personality although it can affect one's personality, at least temporarily, very significantly.
• Schizophrenia is NOT necessarily a brain disease although many may disagree, as it is considered as such in recent literature (You may, of course, find this a useful way to look at it.)  It is caused by or causes a biochemical imbalance in the brain; there is also strong evidence that the limbic system is affected for some, if not most cases, of schizophrenia.  (The limbic system selects, integrates, and unifies stimuli and experiences into organized reality and coherent activity.)  However, don't worry your brain is not diseased!
• Schizophrenia is NOT a communicable disease, either, as some people seem to think by their actions!  You cannot catch it or pass it on as you could a viral infection. Education is beginning to break down this myth!
• Schizophrenia is NOT caused by bad parenting, childhood trauma, communication problems between parents and children, social problems, street drugs or alcohol.  Although there is still uncertainty as to whether there is a genuine component, there is no one to blame.
• Schizophrenia is NOT a sign of a perverted person, a violent person, an immoral person, or any  particular kind of person.  It can happen to anyone.  Schizophrenics are not more violent than the average person; studies have shown they may be actually less violent to others.
• Schizophrenia is NOT incurable.  It can take time and perseverance, but healing is very possible, especially if a holistic  (not just one) approach is taken- i.e. healing must involve the whole person-physical, emotional, mental and spiritual.
• Schizophrenia is NOT a mood disorder, personality disorder or anxiety disorder.  These are discussed elsewhere.
• Schizophrenia is NOT Schizoaffective disorder.  This is an intermediate illness category on a spectrum between bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.  The person has schizophrenia symptoms but there is a strong mood element, depression, mania or both.  The person may respond to lithium.

It is an illness, as any illness there may or may not be obvious triggering circumstances-only you can decide by looking at your own life.  One theory is that certain people have the potential for schizophrenia - perhaps hypersensitivity - and a certain situations/conflicts can trigger an episode.  In certain cultures and at certain times, those who exhibited schizophrenia-like symptoms were initiated into shaman hood or became medicine men/women.  They were respected because these symptoms were a sign of a spiritual gift.

Unfortunately, our society in general does not have such a view, but things are changing as more people look into spirituality as a way to understand life.  The important thing is that you validate your own understanding, as this is a key to your potential recovery.

Schizophrenia has been considered an incurable illness but this is not necessarily the case.  Statistically, one third of all diagnosed will recover completely, one third will improve over time and one third will not improve.  This is based on J.H. Stephens's summery of 25 studies of 44,000 patients, followed on the average of 10 years, and is a commonly held "Rule of Thirds" coined by American Psychiatrists.  So, is the cup half empty or half full?

1) Medication: The most common treatment is medication.  Fortunately, there are better and better medications available; recent ones which have a good reputation include Clozaril, Olanzapine and Seroquel.  It is important to find the right medication for YOU, as some can make the illness and experience worse for some and better for others.  For example, some found that Haloperidol made them feel tortured and did nothing for the delusions. Others had Haloperidol injections on a regular basis and felt a lot better with the drug.  However, in general, the newer drugs are more likely to work better and you should insist on trying these first rather than being used as a guinea pig to those old medications, if you can.  Make sure you have a Doctor that understands something about schizophrenia and has a caring attitude.  You always have the right to change Doctors.  Exercise the right- it is very important to find a Doctor you feel comfortable working with. A good medication can be a good start to stability, which is necessary if you wish to pursue other forms of healing.

2) Orthomolecular Therapy:  The Orthomolecular approach is based on the premise that the brain needs optimal nutrients to function properly, and some people may need a lot more of certain vitamins and minerals to maintain mental health than others.  Many people have fully recovered using orthomolecular therapy.  A whole foods diet and megavitamins are generally prescribed.  For example, vitamin B3 (niacin) has been found to be deficient in schizophrenia patients and conversely has helped many to heal when given large amounts.  In addition, schizophrenia has been linked to food allergies such as to milk and wheat.  Dr Abram Hofer in Victoria, B.C., is one of the founding fathers of Orthomolecular approaches to the treatment of schizophrenia.  He has years of painstaking research behind him and has written many good books on the subject.  He still practices today.  Unfortunately, his approach is not accepted by all of his medical peers, but a good Doctor will refer you.

3) Psychosocial therapy: This includes one on one supportive psychotherapy or group psychosocial rehabilitation but not psychoanalyses.  It has been found to be useful combined with other approaches in bringing the person to stability and wellness.  Again, finding a person who has peaceful and empathic energy and who has some understanding of schizophrenia can make a big difference in helping a person's recovery from the illness.  Peaceful, calm, supportive individuals can do more than they realize just being this way forcing nothing.  However, when one can relate to others who have been there is a very helpful thing in the healing process.

Tips to Assist in Recovery from schizophrenia and schizophrenic episodes

1) Time heals: First, know that you will recover and heal.  You are not the illness and the illness is not you.  Know that there is a greater power, an unlimited source of love, peace and wisdom that is available to you to help guide you to your natural state of peace.  Whether you call this God, Jesus, Love, The Great Spirit, Self, Nature/Time or ............(You fill in the blank), know that there is a healing power available.  All that is required is a desire to find this for yourself and a bit of faith. I nothing else, time heals.

2) Eat and eat well: This is very important.  You need a complete balance of nutrients so that your brain, your biological computer, can function properly.  Therefore, eat lots of vegetables unprocessed foods-fresh (organic is best) fruits and vegetables and high protein foods. (Meat, dairy, nuts, grains and, legumes).  Avoid canned foods and junk foods, sugars and food additives.  Also, check for food allergies.  I you can see an orthomolecular psychiatrist do so, and he/she will get you onto a vitamin program suitable for you.  (Vitamin B is important for the health of the nerves, Vitamin C is the all around healing vitamin. Calcium/Magnesium is important for relaxing the body, the essential fatty acids and Vitamin E are necessary for the brain to function and healing also....)

3) Rest and De-stress:  Eliminate all stressful factors.  You need a stress free place to live and get better.  Being over stimulated by external factors can exacerbate schizophrenic symptoms.  Enlist the support of a mental health worker to get you into a good place to heal.  Rest as much as you can.  Exercise in moderation is important, of course or maintaining your health.  However, it is important to monitor what helps o reduce stress for you.  If exercise stimulates our min too much when you're not well, perhaps put this of until later or just do a little.

4) Recognize that the illness is not you: The more you can recognize what is delusional, the better.  "These thoughts/voices are not me...they are the illness.  They are dilutions.  There is no danger.  I am safe.  My true nature is peaceful."

5) Get Support: Don't isolate yourself.  If people are trying o help, try to se it that way. Try to find people who have been where you are now.  Forward House is a very positive psychosocial program is District 69 where you can be with others without any pressure.  
Remember the people who care about you and be with them.  Don't let delusions mix you up about people who do care.  Accept help.

6) Be tough with Doctors: Do not let them railroad you. Find a Doctor you feel comfortable with and work with him/her.  Stick with your medication and Doctor if they are helping you, and when you are stable, you can decide if you want to stay on medication or come down slowly using other methods of health and healing.  Communicate as clearly and firmly about what you need/want as possible.  Even if the medication is not working, don't come off the pills or change pills suddenly.  This can throw you through a loop.  Do things gradually, but keep firm and strong.

7) Use other sources: find out as much as you can that may help you get well. Be open to natural therapies.  "It was a kinesiologist and a deep trance channeler who helped me after my first breakdown.  The kinesiologist got me of off medication that was making me feel terrible and the channeler helped to bring me back to reality."  Trust our instincts. Keep an open mind.  Find out what works or you.

8) Keep doing things: Keep doing the things you liked doing before you got sick, even if is just one thing and difficult to do because of the illness.  Don't give up everything. Grounding things are helpful like weeding, washing and folding laundry, picking flowers and putting in a vase, petting a dog or stroking a cat, whittling wood, knitting or needlework, colouring a picture.... keep doing little things like this.  It will help and later you will be glad you did those things.  If you are more able, do something creative like drawing or doodling, playing music, making something...

9) Be gentle with yourself: Talk to yourself nicely. Write a letter to yourself. Count your blessings. Only pay attention to the good thoughts if your mind is not overwhelmed with thoughts.  If it is, tell yourself the thoughts will go.  It's temporary.  Don't believe negative thoughts.  If voices are bothering, tell them firmly to leave.  You could say to the voices "In the name of God or Jesus Christ or...leave now.  I have no need for you.  Return to the light" or something that feels right to you.  Do that as many times as necessary.  Try prayer too.  Breathe your way through painful thoughts, feelings or experiences.  Imagine you are surrounded by beautiful light.  Call on angels. These are some ideas.  Only you know what will work best for you.  However, don't be hard on yourself. The illness is not our fault.

10) Find your Gift: Find your specialty. What is the other side of schizophrenia coin?  Schizophrenia can indicate higher sensitivities to spiritual realms, a creative wellspring or healing abilities.  Don't give up. You have a purpose, dreams and a reason to be here.  What are your dreams? There is much in your experiences that will one day be helpful to someone, if not today.

11) Above all, know that you are worth it:  you deserve to get well and you will. Take care of yourself because you never know what wonderful things lie ahead for you in the future. Forget blame. There is a gift in our experience and one day you will be glad that you went through what you what you went through. Many out there have been through similar things and can help too. Keep going.

12) Laugh: They say laughter is the best medicine.  Well we all know it is when we've had a good laugh.

"Why is it when we talk to God we're said to be praying but when God talks to us, we're schizophrenic?"

Lily Tomlin  (actress)

Encourage and help our relative to find good professional help. "Shop around" if you have to make sure our relative is comfortable with the doctor, mental health worker or professional you've chosen.

Your best way to help someone in distress from illness is to not be in distress yourself.  So make sure you are talking good care of yourself and that your energy is peaceful, accepting and non-threatening when with someone experiencing schizophrenia.

Keep routines simple if the person is living with you. Describe the routine for each day and do not force them to go to major events or anything that is unnecessary if they don't want to go.  The less the feel pressure, the better. Communicate very clearly and simply what has to be communicated.

Do not argue with your relative.  Do not try to reason with them or tell them their delusions are wrong. Just acknowledge that they are experiencing them

Be you, don't start faking or babying the person.  Treat the person as you would any person remembering that they are going through a difficult time.

Keep notes for our own understanding and to share with a professional if necessary.

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Last modified: April 01, 2008