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It's easier for health professionals and most
patients to use drugs as a substitute for change.
Self-medication with alcohol or nicotine, or prescription
anti-depressants and stimulants, is easier than applying intelligence,
focus and analytical skills to complex relationship situations. Drugs
are also cheaper for the patient (in the short term) and more profitable
for health professionals.
The long-term consequences and side-effects of
psychoactive drugs are unacceptable to an increasing number of professionals and
some patients.
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a label applied to people who appear to lose contact
with a cultural or shared reality. No cure for schizophrenia is accepted
by Western medicine. If a person diagnosed with schizophrenia finds a
drug-free lasting solution - it wasn't schizophrenia.
People who appear unable to differentiate between
real and unreal experiences, logical and illogical thoughts, or
appropriate and inappropriate behavior may be diagnosed by a health
professional as suffering
from schizophrenia.
The duration of symptoms is critical. A combination of
bizarre behavior, disorganized speech, decreased expressiveness and/or
social withdrawal lasting for a few months may be diagnosed as
schizophrenia. A few
nights insomnia (jet lag) following a flight to Europe from Hawaii, a fever or a
relationship crisis may precipitate
similar symptoms for a few days.
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The terrible label of schizophrenia,
as much as the symptoms, can devastate lives. About 10% of people labeled
as schizophrenic kill themselves following diagnosis, and many more attempt
suicide. |
In Soviet
Russia, some dissidents were labeled with schizophrenia without
symptoms. Similar phenomena are common in military and prison
populations, and in other cult-like organizations. People not like us
may be defined as "sick".
The symptoms associated with schizophrenia can impair a person’s ability to work,
study, enjoy relationships, or take care of oneself. Some people with
schizophrenia are hospitalized to prevent them harming themselves.
Many homeless "street people" have symptoms associated
with schizophrenia.
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Reality Check |
The medical and the Soulwork
models are different in how behavior is perceived and
interpreted. Yet medicine and Soulwork both
start from observed symptoms and both aim to provide appropriate treatment via
accurate diagnosis.
Ana
Pejcinova, PhD, Soulwork Graduate |
Schizophrenia Symptoms
The most obvious symptoms attributed to schizophrenia
are bizarre behaviors: unexpected movements and
disorganized speech, often describing delusions and hallucinations.
These symptoms indicate chaotic internal organization
and an inability to differentiate subjective and objective reality.
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Reality Check |
A person labeled as
schizophrenia will often research the symptoms -
and become depressed and even suicidal. Depression can be a
reaction to the diagnosis - not to the symptoms. |
Most symptoms associated with schizophrenia develops
between the ages of 15 and 30. At this age, most people wish to commence
a committed partnership leading to parenthood. Some people cannot
consider partnership or parenthood due to identity issues
and toxic relationship bonds. Their abreaction to this lost chance of
happiness may be severe; and they may cling to their symptoms to justify
their inability to communicate.
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Feedback |
My son was diagnosed with
schizophrenia and takes drugs to control his symptoms ... However
he likes his symptoms and sometimes stops taking his drugs to enjoy
"other-world" contacts that he does not want to lose. |
Symptoms may become less severe as people grow older.
About 25% of people with symptoms of schizophrenia become symptom-free
later in life, perhaps as the genetic imperatives and emotional demands
for partnership and parenthood are diminished or replaced.
Suicide . Bipolar
Disorder .
Depression .
Mental Illness
NOTE: Consult your physician regarding the
applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to
schizophrenia, medical symptoms or medical conditions.
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Plagiarism is theft. Copyright © Martyn Carruthers 2005 All rights reserved.
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