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It was about a sometime back when a young man of 20-25 years old was lying in the street in front of our house. My father had come back from the vegetable market ,when he saw the man. He immediately went to the young man who was trying to say something but couldnot express, he started telling about some strange stories. Some people standing around said that the young man was a mad & had problems in his head. He was crying as he hadnt eaten anything ,I suppose since morning/days.My mother made some paranthas and my father kept it in front of him, it was sad sight that he couldnot even properly hold it. Seeing this my mother was in tears and so was my father and then my father himself fed the young man thinking he was also someone's sick child.The young man ate then slept in the street, next morning he was no where to be found.It was days/weeks later my parents got to know, that the young man was practically disowned by his family members as he was diagnosed with mental illness some few years ago, they took care but later couldnot cope with him and was left on his own. Left to fight on his own with his mental illness of which he had no idea known to us as Schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia one out of the numerous mental illnesses. It orginates from the Greek word-- Schizien "to split" and Phren " the mind" thus -splitting of the mind. It is a psyhciatric diagnosis that describes mental disorder with respect to impairments in perceptions, delusions etc. Eugen Bleuler in 1908 first coined the term Schizophrenia.
A few symptoms are :- Hallucinations, Disintergrated & disorganized thinking, delusions,inapproriate reactions, psychosis etc.
The symptoms in children and adults are different.In the recent years it has been observed that its mostly occurs at about 18-25 years.Sad but true it cannot be cured, family members & loved ones are the people who can help one cope up with the illness.The ability to care for a schizophrenic is associated with emotional strength & determination , financial reserves & above all time.
Thus Family & loved ones are the BIGGEST HELP !!! It has been found out that family support is a biggest factor in improving from the situation.
- Family should not shun responsiblity of the person,not to feel ashamed that someone in the family has it.
- Acceptance is very important.Cursing your fate, feeling guilty, blaming one another never helps. Mourn, forgive and move on. To act out of resentment & drama between family memebers makes it worse for the person being treated also.
- It is a MEDICAL ILLNESS and requires treatment with responsbility.
- It is NO ONE's FAULT, essential that the person is diagnosed & treated well.
- A caring, safe environment that allows for as much freedom of action is very much required,Hostility & criticism in the environment at home should be reduced or eliminated.
- Important that the person takes prescribed medication as per the doses and family members need to ensure that it strictly followed else it leads to severe relapse.
- In extreme cases side effects to person happens thus important to inform the doctor at very onset.
- Educate oneself with the pattern of the schizophrenic person. Relapses are frequent , some patience is required--emotional straining does no good.
- Indiviual psychotherapy is essential for the person.
- Essential to make a daily rountine atleast an attempt is required. If possible help them work and find a job. Yes-- A Job !!
- Compliment the person on achieving goals, remember criticism does a lot of harm.
- Set attainable goals for them.
- Realize that caring for the person is emotionally, mentally, physically tiring & exhausting. Important to take care of yourself too.
- Often spouses, children or parents get drained to a very large extend in the caring process -- after effects show later.
- Important to have regular meetings with the doctor, and keep note of the behaviorial pattern in the person & discuss on evey meeting.
- Talk to the person frequently, listen to them esp when they are in trouble.
- Sometime Schizophrenics get into Substance abuse like marijuna, or other drugs under no state and the person should get into that situation before or after diagnosis.
- Boost up the moral confidence of the person, they can lead normal, independent & satisfying lives too just like any of us.
So this in the end,the single most important thing: Is to love, care, appreciate and help the patient move ahead and live anIndependent life like an independent indiviual. Thank you for reading this article and if you ever come across a person with Schizophreniatry and help them in some way. Worse thing to do is to leave the person dieing on the road and let them cope with illness by themselves.
So Always Take care & cope with a reason called as HOPE.
