Schizophrenia

Everyone experiences confusion, worry or moodiness from time to time. However, someone who has confused thoughts, is hearing or seeing things that aren’t real or who believes things that are not true to the point where it is interfering with their ability to live life might be diagnosed with a type of Schizophrenia.

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a chronic (ongoing) and severe mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is considered one of the most serious psychiatric illnesses, often impacting a person’s ability to distinguish reality from imagination. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Something is going on in their mind that makes it hard for them to figure out what’s real and regulate their thoughts and emotions.

Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental illnesses, the symptoms can be very disabling and get worse over time if left untreated. Living with symptoms of Schizophrenia can be frightening, confusing and debilitating. Schizophrenia is a serious illness that requires support and treatment. Schizophrenia is different for different people. No two people may experience the symptoms of Schizophrenia that same way.

Misconceptions About Schizophrenia

It is not:

• A split personality.
• Caused by childhood trauma, bad parenting, or poverty.
• The result of any actions or personal failures of the individual.
• A sign or result of low intelligence.

Schizophrenia is a complicated mental health issue and there is still much to discover about exactly what causes it. The causes seem to be:

• Biological  – abnormalities in brain chemicals or structure
• Genetic – your family history and the genes you’re born with
• Environmental – influenced by things that happen to you or around you

There is some research that suggests substance use can also increase a person’s risk of developing Schizophrenia.

There are a wide range of symptoms that a person can experience when they have schizophrenia. You might notice that many of these signs or symptoms could be explained by a number of health issues, not just Schizophrenia.

Common Signs of Schizophrenia

• Trouble concentrating, communicating, thinking (short-term memory loss, unable to organize, make logical priorities, decision-making, etc.).
• Trouble doing usual activities (for example, household chores or personal responsibilities).
• Changes in emotions or emotional outbursts.
• Trouble with moods (depression).
• Behaviour that seems strange or unusual.
• Changes in sleeping, eating or personal hygiene habits.
• Paranoia – Being really worried about things that may not be real or reasonable (like believing people are watching you all the time, or believing that people can read your thoughts, are spying on you or trying to hurt you, etc.).
• Delusions – Strong beliefs that aren’t true (like thinking you can read minds or that the radio is sending you personal messages).
• Hallucinations – Hearing or seeing things that aren’t real. Auditory hallucinations (hearing things, like voices) are more common than visual hallucinations.

Schizophrenia is treatable. For Schizophrenia or any other mental health concern, if signs or symptoms are interfering with your daily life, it’s time to seek help as soon as possible.

When to Seek Help

For instance, if sleep patterns, eating, relationships, school, work or enjoyment of life is being affected, it’s a good idea to talk to someone; that someone could be a friend you trust, a teacher, your family doctor, a crisis line or counselor.

Helping a Friend with Schizophrenia

If it is a friend you are concerned about, they may resist help or not even recognize that they need it. They might need you to take the first step. In any case, if you feel like your friend might hurt him/herself or someone else, it’s time to call emergency services. People with Schizophrenia have an increased risk of suicide, especially when they are not receiving treatment. Substance use can also increase a person’s risk of hurting themselves.

Visit the Help Section to find out how to get help for yourself or a friend who has schizophrenia. .

Like other mental health issues, Schizophrenia and how it is experienced will differ from person to person. Some individuals may have an early and sudden onset, while for others it may be more gradual. Some may have several, ongoing episodes, while others may have fewer and less “serious” symptoms or episodes.

Personalized Treatment for Schizophrenia

Treatment will likely be unique for each individual because each case is unique. Approaches often include:

• Medication: Schizophrenia is typically treated with medication that is carefully monitored and adjusted as needed with the help of a doctor.
• Counselling/Therapy: Some people may also see a counselor or therapist, participate in group therapy, or spend time learning skills that can help them live with their illness.
• Hospitalization: Some people who have Schizophrenia may need to spend time in a hospital.

Every story is different, and sometimes people need to try different types of medications and mental health supports before they find the right plan for them.

Maintaining Wellness and Support

Many people with schizophrenia benefit when family and friends are educated about the illness. Supportive loved ones can help with understanding the condition, providing emotional support, and encouraging adherence to treatment plans.

There is no cure for Schizophrenia, but early detection and ongoing treatment can help people live successful and productive lives.

“With the right supports, people can work or volunteer, be active in their own care, and contribute to their communities.” – CMHA

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness and is pretty misunderstood. Entertainment and news media have contributed to some myths people have about Schizophrenia. Some common myths are:

Myth: People with Schizophrenia end up on the streets and homeless.

Fact: While many in Canada’s homeless population have mental health concerns, there are also a lot of people with Schizophrenia who have families, friends, homes, jobs, volunteer positions, etc. With proper support and treatment, people with schizophrenia can learn to live productive lives.

Myth: People with mental illnesses like Schizophrenia are unpredictable and violent.

Fact: Statistically, people living with mental illnesses are actually more likely to be victims of violence, and those with Schizophrenia are more likely to hurt themselves than others. Most violent crimes are committed by people who do not have Schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia, especially when it is untreated, can certainly cause someone to have delusions, hallucinations, and do things that don’t make sense to those around them, but this alone is not a predictor of violence. Substance use can increase the likelihood of violence in someone living with Schizophrenia.

Myth: If someone in my family has Schizophrenia, then I’ll likely have it too.

Fact: Schizophrenia affects about 1 in 100 people. Even though genetics seem to play a part in the development of Schizophrenia, it’s not the only factor. Family history of mental illness doesn’t mean that you will have a mental illness.

Myth: People diagnosed with Schizophrenia are beyond help.

Fact: There are all sorts of supports and strategies available that can help a person diagnosed with Schizophrenia live a productive life, especially if it is diagnosed and treated early.

Myth: Schizophrenia is caused by bad parents or an unstable childhood.

Fact: There are environmental factors that can contribute to the development of Schizophrenia, but it can happen to anyone. Even a person who grew up in a loving, supportive home with an amazing family and friends can still develop Schizophrenia.

Myth: Schizophrenia is the same as “Multiple Personality Disorder”.

Fact: There are lots of examples in the media of Schizophrenia being described as having two “personalities”. The fact is that these two illnesses are not the same. Multiple Personality Disorder (now called Dissociative Identity Disorder) is quite rare, and the hallucinations and delusions that someone might experience with Schizophrenia are not the same as having multiple “personalities”.

Supporting someone with any type of serious illness can be challenging. Ways to help and support a friend or loved one who is living with Schizophrenia:

Encourage and Support Treatment

• Get your friend into treatment and encourage them to stay in treatment whenever possible. This can be tough. Sometimes people may resist or not want to continue with medication or other treatment strategies. The best you can do is encourage them and be supportive.

Understand Their Experience

• Remember that their beliefs or hallucinations seem very real to them. Trying to apply logic to things they are saying, thinking or doing may not work when someone is having delusions or hallucinations.
• If they are experiencing symptoms of Schizophrenia, stay calm. Tell them that you acknowledge that everyone has the right to see things their own way.

Set Boundaries

• You do not have to tolerate dangerous or inappropriate behavior. Being respectful, supportive and kind should be a goal when supporting your friend, but don’t be afraid to set personal boundaries for yourself. You can’t help someone if you’re feeling overwhelmed yourself.

Seek Support

• Check to see if there are any support groups in your area for your friend and/or yourself. Supporting someone who is living with Schizophrenia can be very stressful, and there’s nothing wrong with seeking help and support for this.

Familiarize Yourself with the Signs and Symptoms

• Know the signs and symptoms of Schizophrenia and how it presents with your friend specifically. No two people are the same.

Visit Your Friend in the Hospital

• If your friend is in the hospital, go and visit them if you are able. The hospital may be scary and overwhelming for them, and a friendly face can help. Ask about visitor rules first.

Provide Help with Daily Tasks

• Know that your friend may need help or support with things that might seem simple to you. The loss of concentration and clear thinking can be hard to adjust to for someone living with Schizophrenia. That’s why it’s important to help your friend avoid triggers like substances or situations that can cause them to relapse or feel unwell.

Be Patient

• Treatment is a process. Medications can cause side effects and may need to be changed and adjusted. Be aware of this and try to be supportive.
• During the treatment process, try not to argue with a person who is having delusions or hallucinations. Concentrate on how they are FEELING instead and let them talk through it.

Ask How You Can Help

• Ask your friend how else you can help. It may be as easy as just providing a distraction, asking them to do simple, relaxing things with you (like hanging out, watching a movie etc.) or just listening to them without judgement.

See the Help Section for more info about helping a friend and self care.

A poem about one person’s perspective What is Schizophrenia

A personal story written by a person who was diagnosed with Schizophrenia In My Shoes

An interview with Jonathon Balazs about his film, LUDIBRIUM, a film about patients who checked themselves into asylums across America.

A film created with a young person and mindyourmind. It tells her story of the struggles and eventual diagnosis of Schizophrenia.

More about Schizophrenia.

The information on this page is a simple overview of a complicated health issue. For more in-depth information about schizophrenia, please visit these resources and references or speak to a medical professional.

Ontario – call ConnexOntario to find out where there are mental health supports in your community.

Canada – The Schizophrenia Society of Canada has information about Schizophrenia and supports across the country.

Crisis – in any situation where someone is at risk of hurting themselves or others, call 911 or a local crisis line. You can find resources near you on the free and confidential Be Safe App.

Please see the Help Section for more information and resources.

References

1. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)
2. Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
3. British Columbia Schizophrenia Society