Time to sit still for a minute . . .

We're talking about Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness Month

May 2017

Good Afternoon Blog Readers, Followers, and Visitors to the Blog ~ In our last Blog Session we discussed Delusional Disorders.  We all come here to the Blog Sessions with our Journals in hand to take notes.  As a recap . . .

Delusional Disorder is one of the category of psychotic disorders.  Not surprisingly, it is marked by the prevalence of delusions.  Delusions may be non-bizarre or bizarre. Delusions in general are persistent, unyielding beliefs that are not true.  These beliefs must persist for more than a month to be considered delusional, and must not be attributable to another disorder such as Schizophrenia, symptoms of which include delusions.

As promised, we are going to continue our discussion about our next mental health issue, which is the disorder of Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that usually appears in late adolescence or early adulthood.  Characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive difficulties, schizophrenia can often be a lifelong struggle.

If you were here for our last Blog Session, then you will have notes about the different types of schizophrenia and their characteristics.  We also discussed 13 different behaviors that are early warning signs of schizophrenia.

It is important to note that anyone who experiences several of the 13 symptoms that were listed for more than two weeks should seek help immediately.

For the sake of expanding upon our awareness of schizophrenia, we need to talk a little more about the symptoms . . .

What are the Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

A medical or mental health professional may use the following terms when discussing the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Positive symptoms are disturbances that are “added” to the person’s personality.

Woman undergoing disturbances to her personality

• Delusions –false ideas--individuals may believe that someone is spying on him or her, or that they are someone famous (or a religious figure).
• Hallucinations –seeing, feeling, tasting, hearing or smelling something that doesn’t really exist.  The most common experience is hearing imaginary voices that give commands or comments to the individual.
• Disordered thinking and speech –moving from one topic to another, in a nonsensical fashion.  Individuals may also make up their own words or sounds, rhyme in a way that doesn't make sense, or repeat words and ideas.
• Disorganized behavior –this can range from having problems with routine behaviors like hygiene or choosing appropriate clothing for the weather, to unprovoked outbursts, to impulsive and uninhibited actions.  A person may also have movements that seem anxious, agitated, tense or constant without any apparent reason.

Woman with Schizophrenia

Negative symptoms are capabilities that are “lost” from

the person’s personality.

• • Social withdrawal
  • Extreme apathy (lack of interest or enthusiasm)
  • Lack of drive or initiative
  • Emotional flatness
  
  Man with Schizophrenia
   

How is Schizophrenia Treated?

If you suspect someone you know is experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, encourage them to see a medical or mental health professional immediately.  Early treatment--even as early as the first episode--can mean a better long-term outcome.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

While no cure for schizophrenia exists, many people with this illness can lead productive and fulfilling lives with the proper treatment.  Recovery is possible through a variety of services, including medication and rehabilitation programs.

Rehabilitation can help a person recover the confidence and skills needed to live a productive and independent life in the community.  Types of services that help a person with schizophrenia include:

• Case management helps people access services, financial assistance, treatment and other resources.
• Psychosocial Rehabilitation Programs are programs that help people regain skills such as: employment, cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping, socializing, problem solving, and stress management.
• Self-help groups provide on-going support and information to persons with serious mental illness by individuals who experience mental illness themselves.
• Drop-in centers are places where individuals with mental illness can socialize and/or receive informal support and services on an as-needed basis.
• Housing programs offer a range of support and supervision from 24 hour supervised living to drop-in support as needed.
• Employment programs assist individuals in finding employment and/or gaining the skills necessary to re-enter the workforce.
• Therapy/Counseling includes different forms of “talk”therapy, both individual and group, that can help both the patient and family members to better understand the illness and share their concerns.
• Crisis Services include 24 hour hotlines, after hours counseling, residential placement and in-patient hospitalization.

Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) has been found to be especially effective in improving outcomes for people after they experience their first episode of psychosis.

We will discuss the next mental health topic in our next Blog Session:  "psychosis" 

Be sure to have your Journals ready to take notes!

The Keys to Discovery

Journaling

Peace, Love & Light,

 René

©Copyright - René Allen - MAY 2017 - All Rights Reserved