A countrywide National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (NIMHANS) study has revealed a shocking prevalence of mental illness in India. At least 13.7 per cent of India's general population has been projected to be suffering from a variety of mental illnesses; and 10.6 per cent of this requires immediate intervention.
Schizophrenia is "a mental disorder that is characterized by disturbances in thought (such as delusions), perception (such as hallucinations), and behavior (such as disorganized speech or catatonic behavior), by a loss of emotional responsiveness and extreme apathy, and by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life — called also dementia praecox."
When we talk about mental illness there are many prejudices, opinions, preconceived notions and stereotypes that come into people's minds. This also exists for Schizophrenia which is a mental health condition. There is a lot of incorrect information about Schizophrenia which is widely available to people. Some of this incorrect information exists due to the wrong and exaggerated portrayal of the condition in movies and TV shows and the incorrect information that people gather from their sources.
There are many myths that exist when talking about schizophrenia as a mental health condition, so it is essential to debunk those myths and state the facts which will be as follows.
Myth - 1: People with Schizophrenia are violent and dangerous.
People with Schizophrenia can be unpredictable at times,they may also be violent in certain cases but only if they aren't being treated. Treatment is key to control the symptoms that may be present in the individual. They could also have another condition which may be contributing to violent behavior, like childhood conduct problems or substance abuse, which can also be taken care of if proper treatment is taken.
Myth - 2: Having Schizophrenia means you have multiple personalities.
Many people are of the opinion that people having Schizophrenia also have multiple personalities (Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a severe condition in which two or more distinct identities,or personality states, are present in—and alternately take control of—an individual. Some people describe this as an experience of possession. The person also experiences memory loss that is too extensive to be explained by ordinary forgetfulness). An individual with Schizophrenia does not have multiple personalities, instead, the individual has false perceptions and ideas and there may also be a loss of reality. Dissociative Identity Disorder or Multiple Personality Disorder does not play a role in Schizophrenia or vice versa. Although the term schizophrenia literally means a split mind and was coined by Dr Eugen Bleuler, a Swiss psychiatrist, the condition does not really manifest itself in that way. It would be more accurate to regard the condition as one in which the mind becomes confused and disordered.
Myth - 3: If you have Schizophrenia that means you belong in a mental hospital.
In the olden times, individuals with Schizophrenia were banished to mental asylums, solitary confinement, prisons, or were taken to priests and gurus with the belief that these individual were possessed by evil spirits and were resorted to exorcism rituals performed on them. The fact is that most of these individuals can live with their families or in supportive housing in the community.
Myth - 4: Schizophrenia cannot be treated.
In the olden times, individuals with Schizophrenia were institutionalized, so people were of the opinion that there is no cure and the only way to deal with the disorder is institutionalization. Schizophrenia can be a little difficult to treat but it's not impossible. Seeking professional help of a Psychiatrist is the first step, following which there would be Psycho-pharmacological treatment. Schizophrenia cannot be cured, but with the right medication, rehabilitation practices and psycho-social therapies, individuals can learn to take care of themselves and lead a productive life.
Myth - 5: If one of your parents have Schizophrenia, you are bound to get it too.
Genes do play a very important role in determining your body chemistry, but if one of your parents has Schizophrenia, that does not mean that is imperative that you will get it too. Having one parent with Schizophrenia can give you a 10% chance of having the condition. Whereas, if more than one family member has Schizophrenia, then it increases your risk of getting it too.
Myth - 6: Bad parenting leads to Schizophrenia.
In the 1950s, certain therapists working with families were of the opinion that schizophrenia was caused by bad parenting, and coined the term "schizophrenogenic,"(causing schizophrenia), which was usually applied to mothers, which put unwarranted blame on families already struggling to come to terms with the burdens of a chronic illness. It is important to understand that Schizophrenia is a mental illness. A number of causes contribute to the development of the disorder. Genes, physical or mental abuse, trauma, drug abuse etc can be a cause of Schizophrenia. Bad parenting or thinking that you did not bring up your child right and that's why he/she suffers from the condition is not right.
Myth - 7: People with Schizophrenia are not smart or intelligent.
"Some studies have found that people with the condition have more trouble on tests of mental skills such as attention, learning and memory. But that doesn't mean they're not intelligent". Having Schizophrenia does not mean that you are not intelligent or smart, if the proper treatment is taken, then the individual can lead a productive life. Scientists are of the opinion that psychosis and creativity may be linked.
Myth - 8: People with Schizophrenia will never be able to work.
If individuals with Schizophrenia do not take treatment, then it can be difficult for them to find and maintain a regular appearance at work. But if they seek professional help and take the right treatment then their symptoms would be under control and most of them would be able to acquire and maintain a job that would utilize their skills, abilities and would be of their interest.
Myth - 9: Schizophrenia makes people lazy.
In Schizophrenia, it is difficult for the individual to take care of their daily requirements and needs like dressing, bathing and eating. This is no indication of their laziness or that they are purposely trying to trouble their family members, it is just a part of the condition. Once they are started on the appropriate medication, their symptoms will eventually settle and slowly they will be able to deal with their daily needs but sometimes they may need assistance.
Myth - 10: Schizophrenia consists of only delusions and hallucinations.
Having Schizophrenia does not just entail having delusions or hallucinations. Psychotic symptoms can be unusual for people and they may tend to focus on these symptoms entirely. The fact is that delusions and hallucinations are a part of the symptoms, the rest of the symptoms are: reduced expression of emotions via facial expression or voice tone, unusual or dysfunctional ways of thinking, agitated body movements, reduced feelings of pleasure in everyday life, difficulty beginning and sustaining activities, reduced speaking and trouble focusing or paying attention.
Myth - 11: Early intervention in Schizophrenia does not have any effect.
Early interventions make a big difference. If the onset of the psychosis is in its initial stages then early intervention may help minimize the functional difficulties and the symptoms can also be controlled before they start intensifying. The shorter the duration of untreated psychosis, the greater the chance that a person's baseline functioning will be better.
Myth - 12: Consumption of Cannabis makes you feel better and reduce symptoms.
Substance abuse can cause psychosis, it can trigger an underlying psychotic disorder that hasn't manifested as yet. Cannbis especially may create a risk of psychosis in some biologically predisposed individuals.
Myth - 13: Once the symptoms stop or reduce it is safe to stop the medicines.
Many a times, people on medication feel better and find a difference in the occurrence and frequency of their symptoms and they may try to reduce or stop the medication thinking that the medicine has done its work and it's not required anymore. The important thing to understand is that the medicine should not be stopped or altered against medical advice. The positive effects that you feel is due to the medicines and if you discontinue it is very likely that the symptoms may crop up again.
Myth - 14: Just talking and explaining can help cure the individual.
Schizophrenia is a Psychotic disorder, it is not something that the person is making up or imagining. For them the delusions and hallucinations are real and create a great amount of anxiety, distress or sadness in them. Just seeking therapy or talking to them is not going to help, they need Pharmacological intervention .
Myth - 15: Medications for Schizophrenia are nothing but sleeping pills.
Medication for Schizophrenia are not sleeping pills, but they correct the chemical imbalance associated with the disease.
"At the root of this dilemma is the way we view mental health in this country. Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg or your brain, it's still an illness, and there should be no distinction"- Michelle Obama.