Schizophrenia
Fred was a 21 year old sales representative, who had seemed to be making steady progress in his career for several years. After the past several months, however, management had noted a substantial decrease in his performance. When confronted about this, he admitted that his mind was no longer fully on his work. In particular, he felt that he had begun to enter a more spiritual realm. In fact, he even stated that at times he could hear and see beings from “beyond the other side”. Fred was referred to the company’s counsellor, who noted that he had difficulty concentrating well, that his logic seemed very unclear, and that he often appeared to lose touch with reality.
Fran was a 28 year old nursing assistant, who had become increasingly withdrawn at work. Although she managed to complete her duties, she was a loner who seemed to have no friends. People found her difficult to talk to, as she seemed to be rather unemotional – as though she didn’t really experience her feelings strongly. She also seemed to show little motivation in her career. Things might have gone on in this way for longer, had Fran not come to the Matron complaining that some of the other nurses were jealous of her, and had organized a vendetta against her. When asked for evidence of this, Fran stated that she simply knew these things.
Signs and Symptoms
“Positive” Symptoms
Hallucinations – abnormal sensory perceptions – for example, hearing voices or seeing people when no-one else is around.
Delusions – false beliefs based on abnormal reasoning – for example, the incorrect conviction that people are out “to get” one.
Disorganized speech or behavior – for example, talking very circumstantially or incoherently, behaving oddly with no clear plan or reason.
“Negative” Symptoms
Affective flattening – reduction in the range and intensity of emotional expression.
Alogia – impoverishment in thinking, for example, restricted amount of spontaneous speech, overly concrete or overly abstract speech.
Avolition – inability to start and maintain goal-directed activities.
Myths and Facts
Myth
Schizophrenia involves a split personality, as in the Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde character.
Fact
Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain, which leads to specific symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
Myth
Like the Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde character, people with schizophrenia are usually dangerous and violent.
Fact
Schizophrenia is an extremely distressing illness. Most people with this illness are not even noticed by society, but rather suffer in silence.
Myth
People who lose touch with reality (during hallucations and delusions) are “crazies” for whom nothing much can be done.
Fact
Hallucinations and delusions are usually the product of a brain disorder. Fortunately, effective treatments are now available for such conditions.
Causes
It is clear the schizophrenia involves specific brain chemicals and regions. Several factors appear to contribute to its onset, including genetic ones. However, ultimately much remains unknown about the exact causes of schizophrenia.
Best treatment
Specific medications are very useful in controlling the symptoms of schizophrenia. In recent years major advances have been made in this area, and several new agents are now available. In addition, it is important for family to educate themselves about schizophrenia so that they are best able to support the family member with schizophrenia.
Prognosis
Prognoses differ very much from individual to individual. Some people can experience a remarkable return to normal function. Others experience a chronic course with episodes of illness. Usually medication results in a substantial reduction in the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Download pdf for more information: Schizophrenia psychosis
I am 23 years old. My mum has been Schizophrenic since I was a baby. She is currently in a government institution. I would like to find out if there is any hope for her to receive treatment that could assist in her recovery. I am now a mum myself, and would really love for my mum to be a part of our lives. I missed out on having a mum when I was growing up and if there is some kind of treatment that could stabilise her condition, I would love for her to try it.
Good day,
Please have a look at the following link
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx31t.htm
Your mother will most likely have to use medication life-long. A lot of people diagnosed with schizophrenia does well if stabilized on their medication and with a strong support system relapses can be minimized.
Kind regards,
MHIC
How does one provide psycho therapy for the person who does not have insight to being schizophrenic?
Good day,
Please have a look at the following link
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/sx31t.htm
If the person is diagnosed with schizophrenia he/she would most likely have to be on medication. Psychotherapy is not the treatment of choice, but if a person is stabilized on medication, psychotherapy can be used to assist with the treatment.
Kind regards,
MHIC
Is there any assistance available for someone, whose medical aid has been depleted due to medical bills, getting to the diagnosis of schizophrenia. The problem with the state/ government institutions, is that once you book someone in, you are hardly ever able to get them out – and they seem to be more focused on managing the patient like a prison, instead of treating the patient and family to be able to control/ manage the disease.
Any suggestions on who to approach, where to go for either medical or financial assistance, would be much appreciated
Dear Liezel,
I can unfortunately not assist with you query about medical aid or financial assistance. With regards to your question about state/government facilities: if you have any concerns you can contact the Mental Health Review Board closest to you.
Kind regards,
The MHIC
whitch medical aid are best and not to expensive for a person with mental illness in South Africa
Dear Antoinette,
Thank you for the enquiry. I can unfortunately not assist you with this seeing that I do not have all the information about different medical aid schemes. Maybe you can search on their websites or contact them in person?
Kind regards,
The MHIC
My son has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He is on medication. I’m looking for a sport group in Johannesburg North. Do you know of any
Dear Karen,
You can go to http://www.supportsabda.co.za and contact them. They’d be able to assist you.
Regards,
MHIC
My father has been dignosed with schizophrenia for close to 20 years now. He was taking medication but stopped because it had basd side effects on him. His situation becomes worse every time and he doesnt want to admit that he has a mental illness. I took him to the doctor 2 months ago and they prescribed the medication but he doesnt want to take it. I stay away from home, he stays with his mother and it is therefore difficult for me to make sure that he gets treatment and takes it. Is there a way that i can help him deal with this situation? Get him to aknowledge that he is schizophrenic and help him get treatment .
Dear Ogopoleng,
Thank you for your enquiry. It is crucial for someone with schizophrenia to take his medication, otherwise he will just get worse. If he does not want to take the medication because of side-effects you should communicate with his doctor about this. And information must be given to his mother, with whom he lives, about the importance of the medication.
Kind regards,
MHIC
Hi! Our family is urgently searching for a facility that can house and take care of my brother who is schizophrenic. He is unfortunately quite dangerous because of his drug use that has started again. Especially so to my parents, who are taking care of him at the moment. He was kicked out of two previous rehab centres for bad behaviour. He needs to be in a facility that will be secure and under medical supervision to make sure he stays on his medication. Any suggestions?
Dear Jacomien,
Thank you for your enquiry. If he is on drugs and is aggressive, he should go to rehab again. Please have a look at the following for more information. You can also e-mail me at mhic@sun.ac.za
http://wedorecover.com/interventions/forcing-someone-into-an-addictions-treatment-centre.html
http://www.toughlove.org.za/articles/24-admission-procedure-to-get-someone-admitted-to-a-treatment-centre
http://www.netsouthafrica.com/blog/drug-treatment-center-provides-court-ordered-rehab/
Regards,
MHIC
Good day
I have a brother who is Schizophrainic and has been since 2006. We have been taking him to doctors and they given us medication but the medication seems to not be working. Is there any other treatment that he can undergo to make him better? please assist also with contact details of a schizophrenic specialist.
Good day,
Thank you for your enquiry. If the diagnosis of schizophrenia has been made, medication is a must. If the meds are not working, please let the doctor know. Let me know where you live so that I can assist with a specialist?
Kind regards,
MHIC
Afternoon.my name is nolizwe,I hv a brother who is schizophrenic for more than 25 years and he is 46 years old now.our parents has passed and m the only 1 who is taking care of him.he is not cooperative,he refuse to take his meds,refuse to bath.and he has faulty habits.I can’t cope with him as I’m a mother of 3 kids.please help.I need an institution for him permanently. I can’t cope and my kids a restless they can’t study please help mi
Dear Nolizwe,
Thank you for your enquiry. You do not mention where you live? Please click on the following link for more information:
http://www.sabda.org.za/
Kind regards,
MHIC
Good day
my brother in law was diagnosed with schrizophrenia a couple of years ago he does not want to take his medication he is getting worse and at times even aggresive we would really like to get him to an institution can you perhaps give advice as to how to get him into an institution we are really desperate we live in the northern cape.
Dear Beverly,
Please have a look at the following links: http://www.sabda.org.za/ or http://www.capesupport.org.za/accomo.htm
You can contact them for information on an institution for your brother.
Kind regards,
MHIC
ons dogter (38) se toestand vererger. waar kan sy as staats pasient opgeneem word. sy word net behandel deurgewone dokter. kry 3 maandeliks n inspuiting. sy bly in die vrystaat. het fanilie in die kaap.
Beste Marianna,
Ek neem aan sy ly aan skisofrenie? Julle kan Bloem Psychiatric Hospital probeer 051 4079400 of Universitas 051 4052911 vir meer inligting.
Ek hoop dit help?
Groete,
Janine Roos
MHIC
Hi, My mom was diagnosed with Schizophrenia 10 years ago.
She stops taking her medication and starts having episodes of hallucinations and delusions.
She believes that there is nothing wrong with her.
She is under a pschiatrist who she sees every six months, but it doesn’t seem to help.
She tells the DR what she wants to hear and thats it.
Is there any way that we can get her to accept that she is sick and needs to be on her meds
Hi, My husband was diagnosed with bipolar in 2016 he is still on medication which is haloperidol, Epilim 300 x2 but my problem is that it makes him to sleep a lot and he is very slowly. What can help him to not sleep too much during the day.
Hi, if you’re taking haloperidol and Epilim, for Bipolar diagnosis, can it affect your sexual life, meaning, making your sexual desire low, as a man cause I think my husband is experiencing that, what to do if you on that situation, please help.
Good day.we are extremely desperate in finding help for my 36 year old son.been diagnosed with paranoid skito about 3 years ago.refused any treatment up to date.telling the public in most cases they not dangerous does not help the parents that HAVE a extremely dangerous child.made even worse by him being very stong.he has now twice gone at his mother with a big knife.sap tell us he first has to hurt/kill someone before they can help.even tried the court only to find out a restraining order ( if we are lucky)wil be served on him.but they will not remove him from our house.mmm that is a death sentence to us for sure.as he has screamed at us stating if ever we tried to report him or get him committed he will kil us all.even our close skito society (maryan)cant do anything.ias his father at 61 with bad arthritis I cant overpower him if he goes at his mom again.it has steadily worsened first outburst was in capetown on.beach.he was wearing a a sheet screaming at people to stop trying to kill him.spent some time in falcenburg.last year while on tik and dagga came at his mom with a knife claiming we want to kill him.stabed a sap oficer in hand.spent 3 days in hellen josif mental ward.discharged as (cured) last thursday night outburst wad because we wont give him money for dagga (its all on the recording).we have a 45minutes sound file my other son recorded proving latest outburst.(that no one so far even wanted to listen to) we need advice please please please.I love my family with all my hart and only want him to get help.I dont want him killed or him killing anyone.just he needs help we live in total feer as we dont know when we WILL be killed.please help
Please help, my husband has delusional jealousy and constantly accuses me of infidelity and this is taking a toll on me. He isolates me from family and friends. Stopped social media. Check my phone. I avoid conversations with him and try not to go to public places with him. Please advise where I can get help in gauteng.
My brother is schezophranic and is on medication at local clinic but he recently started behaving strangely and would like to book him into a mental hospital for assessments. we are currently not on medical aid. Kindly assist by providing hospital details where he can be admitted. Thank you.
My son had a gambling addiction and was sent to rehab last year, he was doing well but starting taking meth drug fir 5 months, he’s stopped that now, i have him at home under strict control, but its difficult, fir a few months now hes hearing voices and gets aggressive at times, he feels like people are trying to mess with his mind, i live in Durban and need assistance plz.
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Good day. I have a 22 year old step daughter who is currently living with us, and have been diagnosed as schizophrenic. Her previous medication, resulted in side effect, and she went off them for about a year. Needless to say, the symptoms have worsened profoundly, and we have now taken her to a new psychiatrist, who prescribed a different medication. We, as a family, are looking for guidance and advice, but the psychiatrist is refusing to speak to us, without our daughter’s permission. Our daughter does not believe there is anything wrong with her, thus will not give us permission. How to we get around this? Surely Doctors who specialize in this field, know that schizophrenics do not have the vision to seek help, nor take their meds, as they do not believe the diagnoses. We have tried contacting SADAG with absolutely no success or even a reply. Could you kindly assist/help us?
Hello. I have an Aunt who has schizophrenia, she was once admitted to a mental institution and given meds to take but she never took them. She’s worse than ever, breaks things when she is angery, fights with his son almost everyday. Am afraid her conditions will affect his son in a bad way. How do i get help. Police tell us that they wont help unless she agrees to get help. Please if you have a number i can contact please do so. Thanks
Good evening. I have a cousin whom is showing strong symptoms of schizophrenia. I dont not have any medical aid to go to a private institution for assistance. Can you please advise me on what i can do to get him examined for a diagnosis and get him treatment. Expansive ways are also welcomed because im desperate at this point to find him help. Thank you in advance
My 30 daughter was diagnosed with schitzophrenia when she was 19 years. She cannot keep a job and is in and out of hospital. She often does not take her meds and refuses to believe that she has a problem. Because of this her medication has increased drastically. She does not have friends. I would like to know if there are any places in Johannesburg where she could meet people and have fun or places where she could do arts and crafts to keep her busy. She is a lovely person when she stays on her meds
My daughter has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia i need guidance and support to help her
i have a cousin who is schizophrenia we are looking for government rehab centres around limpopo and gauteng
My friend’s son (30yrs old) is diagnose with schizophrenia, and also using drugs at the same time…not taking his medication…we looking for a Rehad for him in Cape Town !
P;ease HELP
My friend’s son (30yrs old) is diagnose with schizophrenia, and also using drugs at the same time…not taking his medication…we looking for a Rehad for him in Cape Town !
PLease HELP
I have read everyones comments and feel so helpless. My granddaughter who is 8 years old has been diagnosed with Schizo. Is on medication but this is all so new to us as well as her. I pray that her life will eventually become normal and that she would be able to function as an adult. Her grandfather was diagnosed in his late adult life and is currently in Sterkforntein, has been for the last 25 years. I am afraid for what her future holds but am postive that with her being diagnosed at such a young age that we would be able to educate and guide her going forward. Thank you
Rista
I have a 15yr old son with mild brain damage which i think is schizophrenic is there a dr that can help with diagnosis in kzn or pretoria and also a place of safety where he can get help and maybe have a hostel or house for him to stay in
Hi there
My sister (23) was admitted to hospital. She was discharged two weeks later with depression and medication. Two days later she started getting confused,couldn’t sit still and hearing voices. We took her back to the hospital and we were informed that she has schizophrenia and we were told that we should give her medication 6 weeks to work. Im not comfortable with this and want to take her to a different doctor but also dont want to hinder any progress. Any recommendations for a psychiatrist for a 2nd opinion. We are in the west johannesburg area. I found so many doctors on line but i don’t know who to go to. Pls can u share recommendations.
Hi There…. Please recommend someone who has had success with patients who have Auditary hallucinations. My brother has been diagnosed with psychosis, he is 22. He is not delusional. He is very aware of what is happening. And he wants help, every psychiatrist we see, treats him like he is not a respectable human being because of his condition, I think its pathetic, that after seeing 3 different specialist psychiatrists, not one is compassionate or sincere. Please help with someone who is… We are in the Johannesburg region. Thank you. Kind Regards
Hi, my 53 year old brother is in a full blown psychotic episode. His meds (bi weekly injection) don’t work. Need to get help but funds are low and we don’t know who to turn to. Any guidance would be appreciated.
Good evening All.
My brother was diagnosed with Schizophrenia a couple of years back. It has been a terrible, confusing process for us, because it is adult onset Schizophrenia. We also took him to numerous psychiatrists and psychologists and he remained undiagnosed for a long time, which obviously hindered his ability to recover and his illness is quite severe. Does anyone here know of psychiatric doctors who do othomolecular therapy? Can anyone recommend Schizophrenia experts also. As I’ve seen in the comments, many people face the same challenges of not getting proper diagnoses, support etc?
Good day,
My sister is living with severe schizophrenia. She has been in the most expensive hospitals to the least comfortable…. She has currently been admitted to a government hospital where her illness has gotten even worse. Where can we take her from here? Which other live in institutions are there, where she can have an almost normal life?
Kind regards
Well researched and written! Glad to read what was happening behind the shocking headlines
what is alogia
I believe my 35 year old son has schizophrenia but I need him formally diagnosed and medicated. We live in Pretoria where can we go.
Good day. I am trying to find a support group in Pretoria, but the link on this site posted a few years ago (http://www.supportsabda.co.za) does not exist anymore. Could you kindly (and urgently) direct me? Kind regards Frederick
Good day. I am urgently looking for a facility that can house and take care of my son who is suffering from schizophrenia. He does not take his medication regularly and I am working. I am based in Pretoria but if there is a place in Limpopo I can take him there also as my family is in Limpopo. Any suggestion of a place where he can be accommodated and monitored to take his medication. Any suggestion. Willing to pay monthly.
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How to help my ex wife we still living together we have 3 kids together and she constantly thinks and hears voices in our home she saying people taking photos of her and I have a girlfriend who hides in our home