Schizophrenia Success Story

This is a really well done video by a young woman who is having real success with her treatment. It is from a loving and informative website from Canada  mindyourmind.ca

The Devil Was Talking To Me

This 21 year old woman experienced schizophrenia that felt like she was possessed by the devil. It was scary. She spent 3 weeks in a mental hospital and was put on medication that made her feel as if she had been "reset."  Now she is going to school and doing volunteer work. She posted this video to help people who might be going through the same thing.

About Schizophrenia

If knowledge is power, here are some interesting facts about schizophrenia:

• More than 3.1 million Americans now have schizophrenia. There are more Americans with schizophrenia than there are residents of North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming combined.
• Schizophrenia can be found in approximately 1% of the world’s population, regardless of racial, ethnic or even economic background.
• Three-quarters of persons with schizophrenia develop the illness between 16 and 25 years of age.
• The disorder tends to “run” in families, but only among blood relatives.
• To be diagnosed as having schizophrenia, one must have associated symptoms for at least six months.
• Treatment and other economic costs due to schizophrenia are estimated between $32.5 and $65 billion annually.
• Between one-third and one-half of all homeless adults have schizophrenia
• Fifty percent of people diagnosed with schizophrenia have received no treatment

Janssen Pharmaceutica - Schizophrenia Simulation

Years ago Janssen Pharmaceutica, a pharmaceutical company that specializes in treatment for Schizophrenia created a training program that allowed trainees to experience what it is like to be schizophrenic. Part of the program is the above video simulation of a schizophrenia patient going to a  pharmacy to refill a prescription.

How It Feels - Schizoaffective Disorder

Kathryn Lum explains how it feels to have schizophrenia. This is an excerpt from an episode of Mental Health Matters, a program about mental health.

Dramatization: What Is It Like?

What does it feel like to have schizophrenia?
This is a dramatization that shows what it feels like to have schizophrenia.

Joanne Verbanic - Schizophrenia Anonymous

Joanne Verbanic tells her story of the creation of Schizophrenics Anonymous, a support organization created to:

• Promote hope and recovery for persons with schizophrenia and related disorders
• Eliminate the stigma and myths about schizophrenia
• Raise awareness so that early diagnosis and treatment increase the chance for recovery
• Ensure that consumer-driven and recovery-oriented services are fully accessible

Please check out their informative and helpful website at www.sardaa.org

A Man With Schizoaffective Disorder

A 21 year old man gives an honest account of his schizophrenic symptoms, his drug use, his delusions, obsessions and his hospital stays. Perhaps one of the things about self medicating with non-prescription drugs is that it becomes difficult to tell if the hallucinations or other schizopaffective symptoms are a result of the drugs.

Johnny - Schizoaffective Disorder

Johnny talks about his schizoaffective disorder, which is a mental illness combining the symptoms of schizophrenia and depression.

Family Don'ts

DON'T THREATEN-This may be interpreted as a power play and increase fear or prompt assaultive behavior.

DON'T SHOUT-If the person isn't listening, other "voices" are probably interfering.

DON'T CRITICIZE-It will make matters worse; it can't make things better.

DON'T SQUABBLE WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS over "best stratiegies" or allocations of blame. This is no time to prove a point.

DON'T BAIT THE PATIENT-Into acting out wild threats; the consequences could be tragic.

DON'T STAND OVER THE PATIENT-If he is seated. Instead, seat yourself

AVOID CONTINUOUS EYE CONTACT OR TOUCHING

COMPLY WITH REQUESTS-That are not endangering or beyond reason. This gives the patient the opportunity to feel somewhat "In control.
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DON'T BLOCK THE DOORWAY-But keep yourself between the patient and an exit.

Hallucinations - Sean Blackwell

 

Sean Blackwell made this super informative video. He seems to have been helped by first getting ample professional psychiatric care and then taking careful responsibility for his illness. He seems to have found a way to thrive and feel complete. He has a lot of videos and information and has even written a book.  
Check out his website: Aware Silence

Establishing a Routine

Making healthy habits a routine part of life can help a lot with overall recovery from schizophrenia.
Healthy habits can include:

• Taking medication regularly as prescribed
• Getting regular exercise (talk with your doctor before beginning any exercise program)
• Eating healthy meals
• Limiting caffeine and sugar
• Getting enough sleep
• Learning relaxation skills, such as yoga and meditation
• Reaching out for support
• Avoiding illicit drugs and alcohol

Start with small changes, and after mastering one or two, add new ones. For example, a person who is not used to exercising may be able to make a commitment to spending just 10 minutes a day doing some kind of enjoyable activity. If cutting back on coffee is a goal, decrease your intake gradually each day. The therapist or primary care doctor may offer help with quitting smoking and substance use and abuse.