On World Schizophrenia Day, let’s step into a new world of science, knowledge and awareness in an attempt to understand the diagnosis and its symptoms.
In highschool, Cecilia McGough co-discovered a pulsar object– a new star system. She had her findings published at the mere age of 17, continuing her education at Penn State University to study Astronomy and Astrophysics. McGough’s journey guided her towards working in none other than NASA itself.
But that’s not all that McGough accomplished. Starting from her young adult years, the same years she was discovering the galaxy, McGough was winning an invisible battle– only seen by her own eyes. She was struggling with terrifying hallucinations. She would be attacked by hallucinated clowns, spiders and haunting girls.
McGough was finally diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Despite her struggles, she proved to be a brilliant young mind, showcasing her ability to transcend above her diagnosis and be undefined by it.
Schizophrenia is actually more common than we think. More than 20 million people are affected by it worldwide. This is why, on the 24th of May, we join our solicitude and compassion to offer our support for those struggling with this difficult diagnosis.
In this blog, we will be delving into the concealed, yet stigmatized, world of schizophrenia. We will explore its definition and symptoms, as well as debunking misconceptions that feed into its social stain.
A New World Revealed.
What is schizophrenia?
Insulin imbalance is associated with diabetes.
Iron imbalance is associated with anemia.
Like other disorders or diseases, schizophrenia is associated with imbalances in the brain chemicals.
Yet, we don’t stigmatize diabetes, anemia or even depression in the same way we stigmatize schizophrenia. Once we take a step back and ponder, the following quote by Daniel Boorstin may resonate a bit.
“Fear is often the result of ignorance.”
Therefore, dear readers, it’s time to choose courage and introduce ourselves to the world of schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that can affect how someone experiences the world. People with schizophrenia may find it difficult to separate their thoughts from reality, leading to confusion and difficulties in regulating their emotions and connecting with others.
The million dollar question boils down to one word: “Why?”. Why might someone have schizophrenia? How does this disorder develop?
A common misconception behind schizophrenia is that the person is at fault for their diagnosis. This simply isn’t true. Most scientists believe that this disorder is due to a complex interaction between one’s genetics and their environment. While the symptoms of this disorder are associated with imbalances in the brain’s chemistry, the exact cause remains under investigation.
What might people with schizophrenia experience?
Hold on. We just said that schizophrenia makes it difficult to distinguish what’s real and what’s not. Sounds a bit trippy, doesn’t it? But what does that actually look like? What might someone with schizophrenia actually experience? Well, the symptoms of schizophrenia can be grouped into three categories– positive, negative, and cognitive. Let’s break it down!
- Positive Symptoms: These symptoms are referred to as positive because they refer to experiences or perceptions that are not real. They include hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking or speech.
- Negative Symptoms: Such as social withdrawal, reduced emotional expression, loss of pleasure (anhedonia), reduced motivation (avolition) and reduced ability to verbally express (alogia). Negative in this sense refers to “loss or reduction” of normal functioning.
- Cognitive Symptoms: These symptoms include problems with attention, memory, concentration and executive functioning.
Schizophrenia can throw a lot at you, that’s for sure. However, it’s important to remember that people may not experience all of these symptoms, and the severity can vary greatly. Every person has a unique battle, and we should be there to cheer them on every step of the way!
A Stigma We’re Throwing Out The Window.
Many voices of those struggling with schizophrenia have shared personal experiences in an attempt to reduce the social stigma against their diagnosis. These individuals highlight the importance of understanding and dispelling common misconceptions in order to foster a supportive community for growth, treatment and resilience. For everyone willing to hear these voices, these are some few important headlines:
The symptoms of schizophrenia are not a matter of willpower or choice.
As previously mentioned, the causes of schizophrenia are attributed to one’s genetics and environment. Thus, there is an agreement that one’s diagnosis is not a matter of choice. However, when we hear about the symptoms, particularly hallucinations and delusions, it can be easy to feel confused or even frustrated. We might want to “correct” the person’s perception, argue with them, or simply not understand why they can’t “snap out of it.”
Here’s the key takeaway: The inability to distinguish reality from what’s not is a symptom of the illness, not a reflection of the person’s willpower.
Cecilia McGough isn’t an exception. People with schizophrenia can lead fulfilling lives and even have successful careers.
While schizophrenia comes with its own set of daily struggles, it is by no means an ending sentence. With recent research and advancements, treatment for schizophrenia can include medication and therapy, promoting healthier and more fulfilling lifestyles. By reducing social stigma and fostering supportive communities, we can empower individuals with schizophrenia to reach their full potential.
Contrary to Pop Culture: Most people with schizophrenia are not dangerous.
You might have seen it– maybe in a movie or in a news article. It’s often the image of an aggressive man lashing out, hitting other people and claiming to see things that don’t exist. The prototype we have of someone with a disorder such as schizophrenia is ingrained in our minds to be someone aggressive, dangerous and volatile.
The story of McGough is a powerful example of this stereotype. Despite being completely cooperative and composed, police intervention was called to escort her from her dorm to a hospital she had agreed to visit. Similarly, people with schizophrenia are much more likely to be the victims of violence than the perpetrators. Moreover, they are more likely to harm themselves than others.
People with schizophrenia are not ‘crazy,’ ‘psycho’ or ‘unpredictable.’
It Is Possible.
Our compassion, support and awareness is what fosters a community that embraces the full potential of the human spirit. Individuals struggling with schizophrenia may face daily challenges, but the story of Cecilia McGough is a testament of the power of resilience and perseverance. She particularly advocates for the importance of treatment in nurturing her success– a treatment that might be difficult to pursue in the face of social stigma. As Elyn Saks, a lawyer and author living with schizophrenia, says,
“We must stop criminalizing mental illness.”