Despite breakthroughs and advances in the knowledge about various mental illnesses, some conditions such as Schizophrenia are still unvisited, nobody frequently talks about them yet they are serious conditions to a large population.
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others.
Statistics by World Health Organization indicate that Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people (0.32%) worldwide. This rate is 1 in 222 people (0.45%) among adults (2).
However, the condition is not as common as many other mental disorders, its onset is most often during late adolescence and the twenties, and the onset tends to happen earlier among men than among women.
The condition is caused by genetics where if you have a close relative with the disorder you can get it, if there is a problem in the brain chemistry such that the brain chemicals are not well coordinated and also substance use especially during the teen years can alter with the mind and cause Schizophrenia.
Some of the symptoms of Schizophrenia include Hallucinations which include one hearing voices, seeing things, or smelling things others can’t perceive, delusions which are false beliefs that one holds even when they are presented with new ideas and disorganized thinking which makes one struggle to remember things, organize their thoughts or complete tasks.
No lab test can be used as a diagnosis for Schizophrenia but a healthcare provider can observe a person’s symptoms for over six months and get a correct diagnosis.
Also, there is no cure for Schizophrenia but it can be treated and managed in several ways.
Some treatments that can be administered to one with Schizophrenia include being given Antipsychotic medications that deal with hallucinations and delusions and also engaging in therapeutic sessions like being involved in community-based programs that connect people with mental health illnesses.
As a society we are being encouraged to be better when it comes to mental health matters, if you are dealing with someone that has schizophrenia you should; respond calmly when it comes to such things as hallucinations, ensure medications are taken as prescribed and help in avoiding drugs and alcohol.
BY MARGRET MUGO