In most cases, symptoms of schizophrenia do not emerge in men until their late teens or early 20s, and in women until their mid 20s to early 30s. Until this disorder takes effect, the person’s childhood, teen years and even young adulthood may very well have been as typical as that of their peers.
Then a change occurs that places them in a world apart from the one they once knew.
Characteristics of schizophrenia are vast and varied. No two people are affected in the same way. Some refer to it as the ultimate traffic jam in the brain, leading to a “multi-thought pile-up.”
Delusions can make the unreal real. Paranoia can create constant fear. Hallucinations can attack sight, sound, touch, smell and taste. Speech can become rambling, jumbled or blocked. Imaginary people may come to life. Voices might be heard. Emotions may become stilted. Moods can destabilize. Energy can be lost. Memory may diminish. Isolation can occur. Suicidal thoughts may arise.
Those affected by this illness face severe challenges that are nearly impossible to imagine. The loss of being able to connect with reality can easily lead to the loss of much more that we hold dear.
Beyond the devastating effects to their minds, senses and bodies, every aspect of their lives is impacted, including family, friends, home and job. There is also society in general that tends to shun what it does not understand.
Among the most troubling misunderstandings about schizophrenia are myths oftentimes attached to this disorder by Hollywood and the news. To clarify:
• Those suffering from schizophrenia do not experience “split personalities.” That is an altogether different illness.
• People with this illness are not prone to violence. The vast majority withdraw from society and are more likely to become victims of violence than to enact it.
Because science has not yet determined the cause of schizophrenia, a cure is not currently available. However, advanced research and studies have led to the development of medications that have now made this illness treatable and somewhat manageable.
Medications can help to alleviate debilitating symptoms, providing the relief needed for those with schizophrenia to lead independent, fulfilling lives.
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder that is difficult to diagnose because early symptoms can have similar traits to other disorders. This is why it is important for a person who experiences changes in their reality to seek immediate professional help from a trained psychiatric specialist.
As with any serious illness, early diagnosis is imperative because the sooner treatment begins, the better a person will respond and the more opportunity they will have for long-term positive results.
Dr. James Perry is CEO of Mental Health Services for Clark County.