What is Schizophrenia?

 WORLD SCHIZOPHRENIA AWARENESS DAY:

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.

People with schizophrenia may appear to have lost touch with reality. Sadly, they are often labelled as “crazy,” “mad,” or “pagal.”

1 in 100 people suffer from Schizophrenia.

Common Early Symptoms:

 >Disturbed sleep patterns (not sleeping at night)

>Social withdrawal and isolation

>Decreased interaction with family members

>Talking or laughing to oneself

 >"Hallucinations"– hearing voices of people that don’t exist, often abusive, threatening, or insulting

 "Delusions"– strong false beliefs, such as:

> Suspicion that family members or relatives want to harm them by doing black magic or poisoning the food or want to take away their property.

> Thinking that others are talking badly about them and mocking them.

> Thinking that their Partner is cheating on them.

Impact on Daily Life:

> Aggression and violent behavior may develop due to hallucinations and delusions. Patients start Abusing & Assaulting the family members. They might even pelt stones on the strangers.

>Interference in studies or work life

>Decline in self-care: poor grooming, irregular bathing, and inappropriate clothing

>Wandering on roads and complete loss of touch with reality

Common Misconceptions:

This illness is often mistaken for “Black Magic” or “Asraat,” leading families to take the patient to *Dargahs or temples* seeking help from faith healers.

This results in delay in medical treatment, worsening the condition further.

The Right Step:

If you observe such symptoms in someone, please refer them to a Psychiatrist immediately.

Schizophrenia can be treated with proper psychiatric medications. With regular treatment, patients often improve significantly and can return to a functional, productive life.

"Let’s fight the stigma and spread awareness. Early help saves lives."

–Dr. Osaid Ahmed Waseem

MBBS, MD Psychiatry (OSM)

Consultant Psychiatrist

9000359251