Schizophrenia has been classified as the "third most severe disability" - primarily because it is not only associated with hallucinations and delusions, but also leads to depression, confusion, lack of motivation, and strained personal relationships.
In recent years, in addition to continuous administration of a schizophrenia medication such as clozapine, the importance of behavioural therapy and support networks has been emphasized. Vocational counselling, housing assistance, and education are extremely helpful in integrating a schizophrenic disorder into society.
The symptoms of schizophrenia vary from person to person and depend on the chemical imbalance of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. One sufferer, Robert Bayley, reports, "The visions are extremely vivid. Cobblestones turn into demonic faces that burst before my petrified eyes.
When I come in contact with people, they can become grotesquely deformed, their skin peeling away to reveal decaying internal muscles and organs. Buildings and rooms twist and writhe and their walls close in as I watch, paralyzed with fear.
The voices either speak in foreign languages or shout orders to perform acts of violence. They also haunt me with incessant comments and taunts to deceive, confuse, and force me into a world of paralyzing paranoia."
The first medication for schizophrenia was Thorazine, but the side effects were discouraging. Patients often looked gaunt, facial muscles became rigid, and legs and arms sometimes became immobile. While these "neuroleptics" were effective in treating symptoms such as severe hallucinations, delusions, and psychotic episodes, they affected the nervous system so much that many patients stopped taking the drugs.
Today, atypical antipsychotics are used to treat schizophrenia. These medications include Clozapine, Zyprexa and Risperdal. Side effects are much less, and it is recommended to monitor white blood cell counts to ensure optimal health during treatment with these medications. Clozapine is considered one of the most effective medications on the market, although it is not marketed as aggressively because it is not under patent protection.
Family members sometimes have the hardest time understanding schizophrenia. Parents may feel guilt, denial, or anger. Siblings may feel jealousy of the attention their sibling is receiving, or they may be afraid or ashamed.
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