Schizophrenia has never quite been understood by the medical
profession, according to Dr. Michael Bengston of Psych Central, and was once thought
to be an illness caused by demonic possession. The ailment continues to
confound medical professionals and wreak havoc in the victim’s family.
Schizophrenia usually rears its ugly head during the early twenties
when unusual behavior begins to appear. According to Dr. Bengston, the following symptoms signal the condition:
1.
Social isolation and withdrawal
2.
Irrational, bizarre or odd statements or beliefs
3.
Increased paranoia or questioning other’s
motivations
4.
Hostility or suspiciousness
5.
Less emotional
6.
A lack of motivation
7.
Drug or alcohol dependency
8.
Insomnia or oversleeping
9.
Strange manner of speaking
10.
Allowing personal appearance and hygiene to deteriorate
Because they experience depression, nearly a third of all schizophrenics will attempt suicide and 10% will succeed within 20 years of the onset of the illness. But they rarely tell anyone that they plan to take their own lives. Those who suffer the most risk are young males under the age of 30, some of whom imagine hearing voices that tell him to harm themselves, which is referred to as auditory command hallucinations. Those with false beliefs are termed delusional.
Schizophrenics are often paranoid and have been known to install multiple locks on their doors and routinely check them. Some even refuse to talk on the phone. Their behavior and beliefs are usually irrational or illogical and they fear that others are out to get them or want to lock them away.
Alcohol, nicotine and drug abuse is another indicator that the schizophrenic is attempting to self-medicate, which hampers treatment and recovery.
Jean, I was reading your article, but had to stop because I was afraid -- very afraid. Locked myself in the closet, turned out the lights, and started chewing my nails. But that wasn't good enough so I pulled a coat over my head and shook in fear until the birds started chirping. Okay -- none of that's true, but it could be if I fit your description.
ReplyDeleteJean, when I was in my early twenties, I watched a friend descend into this terrible disease. It seemed to happen veru quickly. On Friday, he showed some mild anxiety. By Sunday, he was convinced that his father was trying to kill him and had gotten his dentist to put listening devices in his teeth. It was terrifying. Not because he was a danger to others, but because he had completely lost himself.
ReplyDeleteMark, people have been joking about schiizophrenia for eons but I imagine that it's a terrifying ailment. Who knows how many killers have the disease.
ReplyDeleteBeth, listening devices in teeth is a new one one me. I wonder how he was able to talk his dentist into installing them. Money talks, I would guess.
ReplyDeleteThey didn't have much money, as far as I know, but he thought his father had enormous power--and apparently an enormous hatred of him. My friend thought that, on his last visit to the dentist, the dentist had secretly implanted the "devices," at Dad's request. He also started to think his campers--both disabled and in wheelchairs, one blind--were actually spies sent by his father. It was very sad.
ReplyDeleteTruly fascinating post. I worked at a vocational rehabilitation center where one of the clients was schizophrenic. It was sad to watch him struggle through the day. Thank God for the medication. As a mystery writer, I would like to create a character who is schizophrenic but am not sure I could pull it off as well as Ron Howard did in "A Beautiful Mind." I joined your blog and look forward to reading more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteM.J. Macie
Thank you, M.J. We're glad you decided to join us here at Murderous Musings.
ReplyDeleteJean, My sister-in-law suffered from this dreadful disease her entire life. Like moany schizophrenics, she was normal when she took her meds, but seldom wanted to take pills (she didn't need them, she thought) and always went off them as soon as she could. My brother said his life was just like "A Beautiful Mind." This disease not only ruins the patient's life, it wounds the entire family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article.
Jackie King
Jean, My sister-in-law suffered from this dreadful disease her entire life. Like moany schizophrenics, she was normal when she took her meds, but seldom wanted to take pills (she didn't need them, she thought) and always went off them as soon as she could. My brother said his life was just like "A Beautiful Mind." This disease not only ruins the patient's life, it wounds the entire family.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the article.
Jackie King
Jackie, I'm sorry to read about your sister-in-law. Bless your brother for staying with his wife throughout her illness. It couldn't have been easy.
ReplyDeleteI had a brother that experimented on drugs and exhibited bizarre behavior. He was a product of child abuse/ neglect. My mother brought him to a psychiatrist. Instead of addressing the drug abuse problem, and teach my mother that love is key and help him in his education would turn him around, they drugged him with psychiatric drugs and the more my mother complained, the more drugs and stronger drugs were used. For psychiatrists financial gain. He became a ward of the state where he got free housing and food, never withdrawing the drug use. Well, my brother decided to get the education and studied hard to pass his tests. But because he was on these psychiatric drug program (he was diagnosed schizophrenic), employers would not hire him for the education he studied for. In the end, he was killed by the very people who should have helped him. They destroyed his brain to support their diagnosis. His eyelids were drooping, sleeping all the time, slow, etc.
ReplyDeletePsychiatry is not a science. It is medical fraud. Psychiatrists just want money and most don't care if their patients are not doing well in their hands. They should train people to think correctly.