21 Myths About Schizophrenia (Every One Should Know)

 

According toWHOapproximately 21 million people is affected worldwide from schizophrenia.

I know that’s a huge scary figure. There are lots of myths about schizophrenia which I am going to tell you today in this article. Make sure you read all of them and help your love ones from staying away from schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a psychotic illness. This means that the person with schizophrenia seems cut off from reality for periods of time. This is usually seen in young adulthood (16-30 years). It affects males and females equally but might begin earlier in males.

People with this illness have problems understanding what is real and what is imaginary. Some people complain of hearing invisible voices or seeing things that are not there. They may have problems thinking and concentrating. Doctors usually find that such people may stop talking to their families and friends. They also lose interest in other activities that they enjoyed earlier.

Today, we will talk about the many misunderstandings and myths about schizophrenia that people have:

Myth# 1 The media is a good source of information about schizophrenia

The Media (TV, newspapers, movies, social media, etc.) is not the best place to learn about any mental illness. For example, there are too many movies about “mad” or “crazy” people who are killers and psychopaths. But very few movies show realistic movies about people with this illness. So, the best people to talk to about this are psychiatrists and psychologists. Make sure you consult with best child psychiatrist. Visiting the hospital is a good idea if you feel that you or a loved one may have this illness. A second opinion is important too.

Myth#2 Schizophrenia is a disease where people have two personalities inside them–

 That is a completely different illness. It is called Multiple Personality Disorder or Dissociative Identity Disorder. People with schizophrenia do have problems thinking and doing things clearly.  They have more of a split mind than split personalities.

Myth#3 Schizophrenia is very uncommon

Actually, 1 in 100 people suffer from this illness. It is quite possible that you might have already met somebody with schizophrenia. Most people don’t like to tell others that they have this problem. Sharing this information might make others fear or avoid them. This happens because people don’t have awareness about what happens in schizophrenia.

Myth#4 If you have schizophrenia once, you will always have schizophrenia

This used to happen in the past when we did not have modern medicines.  It might only happen now if you do not get good treatment. Different people and different kinds of treatments have different results. Many people live useful, meaningful lives even after having this illness.

Myth# 5 They will never have a normal life

When they get good treatment and support, people with schizophrenia can and do have productive lives. That is why immediate medical help, and caring family and friends are important to their recovery.

Myth# 6 People with schizophrenia are always violent and dangerous

People with schizophrenia are as violent or dangerous as any healthy person on the road. It is quite sad that we think so. Most are more capable of hurting themselves than others around them. We lose many people with schizophrenia to suicide every year. If a person with this illness does turn to harm that is because they are feeling very unwell. They should be taken to emergency services at the hospital as soon as possible.

Myth# 7 They are mentally challenged/retarded

People with any kind of IQ can develop this illness. A person with schizophrenia who is feeling poorly might feel confused and have a hard time thinking clearly. But this is just part of the illness. It does not mean that they are stupid or cannot learn new things.

Myth# 8 A person with schizophrenia is only a schizophrenic

On the outside it might look like the illness takes over the life of a person with schizophrenia. Like there is nothing else to their identity but the schizophrenia. But that is not the case. The person with schizophrenia is a regular person who has a life, family and a job. They just live with a condition that sometimes makes them lose touch with reality.

Myth# 9 Schizophrenia is caused by evil spirits/black magic

This is a very common myth that people believe. Schizophrenia is actually a brain disorder.  Being very religious and god-loving will not keep you safe from schizophrenia. Nobody or nothing can give you schizophrenia, especially not evil spirits. That is why people with schizophrenia should be taken to the doctor and not to a religious baba or shaman.

Myth# 10 Schizophrenia is caused by bad parenting

This was a false idea that became popular in the 1950s. It is both wrong and unhelpful. It puts unnecessary stress and blame on the family when they are already trying to understand and help the person with schizophrenia.

Myth# 11 People with schizophrenia cannot hold jobs

Depending on how the person reacts to the treatment, people with schizophrenia can work full time and part time. In fact, having a job might actually help their recovery according to research. So, early treatment of the illness is very important.

Myth# 12 These people can’t have families

This can depend on how well the person can maintain his wellness after treatment. But it does not mean that the person with schizophrenia cannot have families.

Myth# 13 Schizophrenia can’t happen to me or anyone I know

Like we said earlier, schizophrenia is a common mental illness. 1 in 100 people have schizophrenia. In fact, 1 in 50 people develop a psychotic illness. Schizophrenia is found all over the world and across all societies.

Myth# 14 Schizophrenia is caused by loose morals

Again, schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder. The exact cause is still not known. But scientific research says that it might have to do with a combination of genetic influence, problems in brain chemistry and brain structures and the environment. None of which have anything to do with a person’s choices or character.

Myth# 15 People with schizophrenia are lazy and useless

Schizophrenia greatly affects how a person thinks, acts and feels. It can be a very harsh illness to live with everyday. It is quite possible that when people with schizophrenia are feeling very ill they may stop doing daily tasks or contributing to the household. This also happens if you are severely sick with any other illness. For example, you might not want to work if you have a fever of 103 degrees.

Myth# 16 Schizophrenia is not treatable

Schizophrenia is a long illness. It needs long term treatment and support. But it is definitely treatable. The earlier the person gets treatment, the better their results are. So it is very important to get them to a good doctor as soon as possible.

Myth# 17 You can’t talk to a person with schizophrenia

The conversation might be different from what you might expect but you can definitely talk to people with schizophrenia. They are regular people too. You might learn something new!

Myth# 18 They should be locked up and thrown in jails

This is completely untrue. People with schizophrenia need urgent medical help from good doctors. They are people in stress and pain. They deserve our help and empathy.

Myth# 19 The person should just chill. They will get better

Schizophrenia needs medical help as early as possible. The longer one waits, the worse the results of the treatment are. Would you wait for someone to get very ill with tuberculosis before you got them help?

Myth# 20 If a person with schizophrenia is smart and they know what is happening to them, they will get better on their own

How I wish that this was true! Knowing that you have schizophrenia or being really smart does not stop the problems.
Lots of people with schizophrenia hear invisible voices and see things that don’t exist. Even if they know that these sights and voices are imaginary, they still feel real. This makes people with schizophrenia very anxious and scared. They need lots of help to get better

Myth# 21 All ‘schizophrenics’ are the same

Just like all of the people in the world are different, every person with schizophrenia is not the same. They will have completely different experiences of the illness. They will respond differently to treatments.

Schizophrenia is a serious disorder. People with this type of illness need immediate help from doctors. But there are lots of myths about schizophrenics that confuse people looking for help.  They also make others scared of and negative towards people with schizophrenia.

SOURCE--http://wbcindia.in/blog/myths-about-schizophrenia/

11 Quick Tips About Alcohol De-Addiction That You Need To Know

  Alcohol De-addiction: Addiction is a hugely complex and destructive disease, and its impact can be simply devastating. All too often, lives and families can be shattered by it. If you face any difficulty in recovery you may also consult to the best Alcohol and Drug deaddiction center in Delhi. Alcohol and Drug deaddiction counselors will help to treat your de-addiction and get your life back on the track.

We all are aware how badly the destructive alcohol addiction can impact our and our loved one’s life. Many of you know how badly an alcohol is affecting your health but still feel impossible to stop drinking.

You face many hurdles on the way to overcome addiction but if you really willing to stop drinking you may no matter how heavy drinker you are.

If you really want to quit drinking then you should know about alcohol addiction and the tips that will help to recover and back you to your normal life.

What Is Addiction?

Addiction refers to a condition in which an individual ingests a substance (for example, alcohol, cocaine, or nicotine) or engages in an activity (such as gambling,sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable in the short term but the continuation of which becomes compulsive in nature and hence interferes with ordinary day to day responsibilities and concerns, such as work, relationships, or health.

People who have developed an addiction may not be aware that their behaviour is dysfunctional.

There are various contributing factors to people developing an addiction. People commonly use drugs, gamble, or shop compulsively as a response behaviour or reaction to stress, whether or not they have an addiction from a physical substance. Since these addictions are not stemming from a drug or its effects on one’s brain or neurology, they can account for why people develop different kinds of addictive behaviour and may frequently switch addictive actions from one drug to a completely different kind of drug, or even to a non-drug behaviour. This makes addiction an even more complicated problem to solve. However, the good news is that with the effective treatment at a good facility.

The focus of the addiction isn’t what matters; it’s the need to take action under certain kinds of stress. Treatment requires an understanding of how it works. Don’t forget to check out these myths of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder too.

Checkout These 11 Tips Of Alcohol De-Addiction

Tip #1 Understand that addiction stems from real issues and is not merely a problem of morality.

When referring to any kind of addiction, it is important to recognise that its cause is not simply a pleasure-seeking activity and that addiction has nothing to do with one’s morality or strength of character. Often times, society is unable to provide the needed support and guidance to addicts because they consider this a moral issue and label the individual a “bad person”, rather than going to the root of the problem.

Tip #2 Watch out for peer pressure.

Oftentimes, even without a real problem at hand, individuals tend to develop a habit of drinking or doing drugs just to conform to their peers. This can lead to the risk of mere habit developing into a real problem very soon. To counter this individual need to learn to be assertive. Practice ways to say no politely. You do not have to drink just because others are, and you shouldn’t feel obligated to accept every drink you’re offered. Stay away from people who encourage you to drink. It is equally important to watch your company.

Tip #3 Make a Resolution

The individual who is affected must come to realize how this behaviour is harming them and should be self-motivated to recover from it. To do this one can make a list of the reasons to stop your drinking problem — such as feeling healthier, sleeping better, or improving your relationships — these can motivate you to eventually leave drinking.

Tip #4 Limit your drinking

Instead of going cold turkey, especially in the early stages, an individual seeking to become de-addicted can begin by setting a limit on how much to drink. You should keep your drinking below the recommended guidelines: no more than one standard drink per day for women and for men ages 65 and older, and no more than two standard drinks per day for men under 65. You should consult your doctor to help you determine what’s right for you & your health.

Tip #5 Keep a log of your drinking

For a couple of weeks, keep track of every time you have a drink. Include information about what and how much you drank as well as where you were. Compare this to your set limit from the previous step. If you’re having trouble sticking to your goal, discuss it with your doctor for further assistance.

Tip #6 Make alcohol less accessible

It is helpful to resist drinking when it is not within your reach. Having no alcohol at home can help limit your drinking by making it harder for you to reach it.

Tip #7 Fix alcohol-free days in a week

Decide not to drink a day or two each week. You may want to abstain for a shorter period of time to see how you feel or react physically and emotionally to not drinking. This will show you that not having alcohol is not as detrimental as you imagined it would be.

Tip #8 Get involved in other activities

Keep yourself busy. Whenever there is an urge to drink, you can distract your mind by doing other things. Take a walk, play some sports, learn a skill, go out to eat with friends, or catch a movie. When you’re at home, pick up a new hobby or revisit an old friend or family member. Arts, board games, playing a musical instrument— these are great alternatives to drinking.

Tip #9 Seek support

The process of de-addiction and stopping your drinking habit may not always be easy. Letting your friends and family members know that you need their support can go a long way in the process of recovery. Additionally, your doctor, counsellor, or therapist may also be able to offer help that is essential.

Tip #10 Avoid temptation

Steer clear of people and places that make you want to drink or create an urge to drink. If you associate drinking with particular situations events, such as holidays or vacations, or family get-togethers, it is useful to develop a plan for managing them beforehand. Monitor your feelings. Similarly, when you’re worried, lonely, or angry, you may be tempted to drink. Instead try to cultivate new, healthy ways to cope with stress through meditation or problem-solving.

Tip #11 Be Persistent

Recovery can take time. It’s important not to give up early. Most people who successfully cut down or stop drinking altogether do so only after several attempts. You might have to face setbacks, but don’t let them keep you from reaching your long-term goal.

Hope these tips will help you to recover from your de-addiction.

SOURCE http://wbcindia.in/blog/alcohol-de-addiction/

11 Myths About Bipolar Disorder

I meet lots of people daily who have several misconceptions about mental disorder. Most of us don’t even know what is true or what is not?If you found someone suffering from bipolar disorder then make sure they have a proper treatment from the best psychiatrist in Delhi. I heard many times the myths of one of the most common mental disorder is Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia which leads to a stigma towards people living with mental illness, limiting their access to treatment and support. So, in this article, I will clear your misconception because it’s important for you to learn about the actual facts of bipolar disorder which will help you to overcome the problem.

Here are few most common myths about the Bipolar disorder that you must know:

Myth 1: Bipolar disorder is just mania

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition wherein a person experiences phases of depression and mania.

Bipolar disorder includes a wide-range of mood disturbances and diversions, from mania and hypo-mania to depression and such.

Mania is considered a state of elevated mood leading to severe disruption in day to day activities, often involving some psychotic symptoms. While Hypo-mania is similar, but not as intense or disruptive as mania and depression is a state of persistent low mood and significant decrease in energy as well as activity.

When these symptoms are seen to be present for a specific period of time, they are termed an ‘episode’. A person with Bipolar disorder can experience one , or a combination of these mood symptoms during a single episode.

Myth 2: There is only one type of Bipolar disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), there are currently four types of Bipolar disorders, all distinguished by different experiences and intensity of mood disturbances experienced:

Bipolar I – manic episode

Bipolar II – hypomanic and depressive episodes

Cyclothymic Disorder – hypomanic and depressive symptoms

Bipolar Disorder Not Otherwise Specified – bipolar-like mood disturbance that does not fit the pattern of the other diagnoses.

Myth 3: Bipolar disorder is rare

The annual years of healthy life lost per 100,000 people from bipolar disorder in India has increased by 14.3% since 1990, an average of 0.6% a year. The three most debilitating mental and substance use disorders in India during 2013 were depressive disorders, anxiety disorders, and bipolar disorder respectively.

Myth 4: People who have Bipolar disorder are just moody

People with Bipolar disorder do experience highs and lows, however these mood swings are much different from normal day to day fluctuations we all experience. The highs and lows in Bipolar disorder are way more extreme, often occur out of context, can last for an unusually long period of time. The experience can be very debilitating for the patient, sometimes even requiring the patient to be admitted in the hospital. The WHO estimates Bipolar disorder to be one of the leading causes of disability in the world, and the lifetime risk of death by suicide in Bipolar disorder is around 15 percent.

Myth 5: People with Bipolar disorder are manic all the time

Not really. States of mania and hypomania are comparatively rare. Most of the time, it’s more common for someone with Bipolar disorder to experience depressive symptoms. In fact, because depressive episodes are more common or frequent, it is a common occurrence for Bipolar disorder to be misdiagnosed or misinterpreted as depression.

Myth 6: Mania can be fun, enjoyable, or lead to productivity

When people are experiencing mania, have lots of energy, and can go without sleep for long periods of time. While this might sound great, mania can also be a very uncomfortable and unpleasant and debilitating experience for the individual, since it comes with symptoms of irritability, restlessness and feeling out of control.

During a manic episode, people can sometimes take big risks or do things impulsively which they otherwise wouldn’t do and this might have damaging effects on their career or life in general.

Myth 7: Medication is the only treatment for Bipolar disorder

There are various ways in which doctors can approach treatment for Bipolar disorder. Medication is only one of the many ways. While medication is often the first line treatment prescribed for Bipolar disorder, however, many other forms of psycho-therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), family-focused therapy, and interpersonal and social rhythm therapy have been shown to help minimize the symptoms of bipolar disorder and reduce the risk of future episodes.

A combination of psychological treatments and medication have the most effective and enduring outcomes. Additionally, some self-help strategies such as education, sleep hygiene, early warning signs, symptom monitoring, meditative and reflective practices, and maintaining good social support have also been found to be helpful in mitigating the symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Myth 8: There is an online or at home bipolar test that can be taken.

Not true. In early 2000s, an at-home bipolar test was being sold over the Internet. But the test only tells users whether their genetic makeup puts them at higher risk of having or getting bipolar disorder. And nothing about whether or not they are currently suffering from it.

The bipolar test evaluates saliva samples for two mutations in a gene called GRK3, associated with the disorder. But it can’t tell users for sure.

The correct way of diagnosing a disorder depends on a doctor taking a careful patient history, asking about symptoms over time. A family history of the disorder increases a person’s chances of getting it.

Myth 9: Bipolar disorder can’t be diagnosed until the individual is of age 18.

While it is true that it’s more difficult to diagnose it in some people than in others, because of varying patterns of the disorder, it is definitely not required that the individual be of above 18 years of age to be diagnosed with Bipolar disorder.

And typical childhood behavior — such as having a tantrum and recovering quickly to go to a birthday party — can also make it difficult to diagnose the condition in children.

Even so, the disorder may be present but not diagnosed until later, he says. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the median age of onset for bipolar disorder is 25 years old (half are older, half are younger).

Myth 10: People with bipolar disorder should not take antidepressants.

It is often a matter of concern that some people who are depressed and bipolar, if they take antidepressants could flip into a mania.

The argument behind this is that the mood will be elevated too much and mania will result. Although the concern has some validity, doctors suggest, that does not necessarily mean you should always avoid antidepressants. Sometimes, as research suggests, people need the drugs, especially if the depression persists. It entirely depends on the particular individual and the severity of symptoms shown.

Myth 11: For individuals suffering from bipolar disorder, all of their moods occur due to their condition only.

It must be known that one part of the personality does not influence all actions of an individual. For example, if a person is termed as aggressive by his peers or family members, it does not mean that his anger will always be erratic or irrational.

There may be a genuine reason that justifies the person getting angry. Likewise, people with bipolar do have moods and feelings not related to their disorder. Any argument or misdeed should not be blamed on the disorder alone. Bipolar disorder as a condition is treatable and can be stabilised, and the cause for grievances and reactions can be genuine.

Conclusion: I hope you guys are quite clear about bipolar disorder and the myths about bipolar disorder.

SOURCE- http://wbcindia.in/blog/myths-about-bipolar-disorder/