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6 frightening myths and the real facts about schizophrenia
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of the population. This disorder amenable to adjustment, but the disease itself is shrouded in "terrible" and often unfounded myths. < Website exposes the six most popular misconceptions.
Myth 1: People with schizophrenia suffer from a split personality h3> The word "schizophrenia" means "split mind" and not a person. "Splitting" refers to feelings and thoughts of people suffering from this disorder. They may feel cut off from reality, sometimes including hallucinations and delusions. Mental disorders, separating a person's personality by several called "dissociative personality disorder».
Myth 2: People with schizophrenia are dangerous h3> «Of all the myths about the disease, the most unjust - says psychiatry professor Andrew Savago. - It is this misconception keeps many people from seeking help. In fact, people with schizophrenia are more often victims of violence than its initiators. " Even without treatment, most people with schizophrenia go to, than splash out anger on others.
Myth 3: People with schizophrenia are not able to live a full life h3> «Of course, in some cases of schizophrenia deprives patients ability to lead a full life. At the same time, I have patients who are happily married, raise children, and achieve success in their careers, "says Professor Savago. Schizophrenia can not be cured, but the adjustment of status, including medications and therapies to help people lead productive and full life.
Myth 4: If your family who is suffering from schizophrenia, it will give you h3> In fact, schizophrenia can occur among relatives, but its occurrence is caused not only by genes. "Even if you have identical twins, who suffers from schizophrenia, your risk of developing this disorder is only 50% - says Professor Savago. - For the development of schizophrenia should be a combination of two factors: heredity and initiating a trigger, for example, severe stress or emotional trauma. " According to the National Institute of Psychiatry, if your brother / sister, mother or father suffering from schizophrenia, your risk of developing the disease is only 10%.
Myth 5: People with schizophrenia constantly see "something» h3> Hallucinations - part of a split perception of reality, which can observe people with schizophrenia. They also can appear false beliefs in psychiatry called "nonsense", but these particular violations do not occur 24 hours a day. Professor Savago said that hallucinations peculiar to people who do not receive professional help in schizophrenia, hallucinations and these often relate to hearing than vision. "Visual hallucinations are much rarer - he adds. - Hallucinations perfectly amenable to correction. They stopped after 7-10 days of starting treatment ».
Myth 6: People with schizophrenia spend their lives in institutions h3> «This was just before have been found effective methods of adjustment. Now the treatment is done on an outpatient basis, and fewer people in need of long-term care in the walls of the psychiatric institutions. Schizophrenia is not necessarily progress - we are able to keep many patients in remission, provided that they are responsibly follow the treatment plan and medication, "explains Professor Savago.
