Scizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. It is a complex, long-term medical illness.
Due to the complexity of schizophrenia, there are many misconceptions about the disease. Schizophrenia does not mean split personality or multiple personality. Most people with schizophrenia are not aggressive and are actually more likely to be victims of violence rather than perpetrators. People living with schizophrenia are commonly exploited and victimized by violent crime as part of a broader dynamic of social exclusion.
There is no cure for schizophrenia, but it can be treated and managed in several ways. With the help and support of friends and family, people with schizophrenia can live productive and fulfilling lives.
Causes
Schizophrenia isn't caused by just one genetic variation, but is the result of a complex interplay between genetics and environmental factors. Heredity does play a strong role, so a family history of schizophrenia is one of the known risk factors.
Exposure to viruses or malnutrition before birth, especially during the first and second trimesters, has been shown to increase the risk of schizophrenia.
Issues in brain chemistry, particularly with neurotransmitters like dopamine and glutamate, may also contribute to the development of schizophrenia.
Certain substances can be a trigger as well. Some studies suggest that the use of mind-altering drugs during the teenage years or young adulthood may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
Symptoms
- Delusions: False, mixed, and sometimes bizarre beliefs that aren’t based in reality and persist despite clear evidence to the contrary.
- Hallucinations: Hearing, seeing, or feeling things that are not actually present.
- Catatonia: The person may stop speaking, and may remain in a fixed position for a very long time.
- Talking in sentences that don’t make sense, or using nonsense words that make communication or holding a conversation difficult.
- Shifting quickly from one thought to another with no clear or logical connection. Writing excessively but without clear meaning.
- Unable to understand information or use it in making decisions. Difficulty concentrating, focusing on tasks, or remembering and keeping track of things.
- Repeating movements or gestures, such as pacing or walking in circles.
- Lack of emotion or a limited range of emotions.
- Withdrawal from family, friends, and social activities.
- Reduced energy and a constant desire to lie down.
- Lack of motivation, and loss of pleasure or interest in life.
- Poor hygiene and grooming habits.
Coping and Support
Coping with a mental disorder as serious as schizophrenia can be challenging for both the individual and loved ones. Here are some ways to help manage and provide support:
- Learn about schizophrenia:
Education can help both the person with schizophrenia and their friends and family understand the disorder, the importance of treatment plans, and encourage compassion and patience. - Stay focused on goals:
Managing schizophrenia is an ongoing process. Keeping treatment and recovery goals in mind can help motivate and support progress. Encourage responsibility and participation in managing the condition. - Avoid alcohol and drug use:
The use of alcohol, nicotine, or recreational drugs can interfere with treatment and worsen symptoms, so it’s important to avoid these substances.
Homeopathy Approach
Homeopathy can help effectively in managing schizophrenia. Homeopathic medicines do not intervene with the body’s chemical processes, instead they help balance neuro-chemicals and neurotransmitters. Patients do not become dependent on homeopathic medicines, and there are no adverse side effects. With the help of homeopathic remedies, relapses can be minimized or prevented, supporting better long-term outcomes for patients.
Medicines
Homeopathic Medicines:
Hyocymus Niger :
Patient is full of hallucinations. He imagines all sorts of things concerning people, concerning himself, and he gets suspicious. Suspicion runs through acute sickness; it runs through the mania in insanity, Suspicion that his wife is going to poison him; that his wife is untrue to him. Suspicious of everybody. “Refuses to take medicine because it is poisoned.” “Imagines that he is pursued, that the people have all turned against him, that his friends are no longer his friends.
Stramonium:
Very changeable disposition ; alternating anticipation of death and rage ;loud laughing and groaning.Attacks of rage with beating and striking persons.Loquacious delirium and mania. Loquacious, garrulous, laughing, singing, swearing, praying, rhyming. Sees ghosts, hears voices, talks with spirits. Rapid changes from joy to sadness. Violent and lewd. Delusions about his identity; thinks himself tall, double, a part missing.
Cannibas indica:
Remarkable hallucinations and imaginations, exaggeration of the duration of time and extent of space, being most characteristic. Ideas crowd upon each other.Excessive loquacity; exuberance of spirits. Time seems too long; seconds seem ages; a few rods an immense distance. Constantly theorizing. Anxious depression; constant fear of becoming insane.
