I can’t even begin to imagine the horrors of hearing voices telling me to kill myself; especially if those voices were heard only by me. How would one explain this frightening experience to oneself? Ghosts? Drugs? Poison? Very rarely might we associate this symptom with a disease. Yet, a key symptom of schizophrenia is auditory hallucinations.
No wonder, 50% of Schizophrenics attempt suicide (10% succeed).
Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population worldwide or 30 million people. It is a complex and puzzling disease with catastrophic social and psychological consequences. Genetics may play a role; however, this is not conclusive, nor the only factor.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia come on slowly, and may start with symptoms such as insomnia, difficulty in concentrating, or an increase in tenseness. Increasing social isolation may develop as the disease progresses. Usually it takes years for full blown schizophrenic symptoms to occur. By that time, the person is usually dysfunctional and unable to live in the community by themselves.
Treatment is only minimally effective, perhaps, the decrease in anxiety being one of the most beneficial effects of medication. Despite generations of research on medications which might help, we are no better off today, than a half a century ago. Additionally, newer medications, while no more helpful, are extremely costly.
Side effects of medications continue to ravage those who take them, and generally the biggest reason for people to discontinue their medications (and suffer the awful relapse into the world of acute schizophrenia).
The families of schizophrenics also suffer. They too feel misunderstood, have overwhelming feelings of guilt, and lack resources to help them cope with this devastating illness. One can only hope that the recent work on neuro-imaging, genetics, and other bio-markers contribute to an epiphany into the causes and help for these poor, forgotten souls.
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