Schizophrenia, a disease of the
brain, is one of the most disable and psychologically demoralizing illnesses
known to man. But because it has been misunderstood for so long, it has received
relatively little attention and its victims have been undeservingly stigmatized.
Schizophrenia is not a split personality, a rare and very different disorder.
Like cancer and diabetes, schizophrenia has a biological basis; it is not caused
by bad parenting or personal weakness. Schizophrenia is, in fact, a relatively
common disease, there is no known cure for schizophrenia, and it is a very
treatable disease. Most of those afflicted by schizophrenia respond to drug
therapy, and many are able to lead productive. There are five types of
schizophrenia, each based on the kind of symptoms the person has at the time of
assessment. Paranoid schizophrenia, Disorganized schizophrenia, Catatonic
schizophrenia, Undifferentiated schizophrenia ,Residual schizophrenia A doctor
must make a diagnosis of schizophrenia on the basis of a standardized list of
outwardly observable symptoms, not on the basis of internal psychological
processes. There are no specific laboratory tests that can be used to diagnose
schizophrenia. After diagnosis its treatment starts. Schizophrenia patients can
work. Several studies have shown that people with major mental illnesses fare
better if they work. The ability to hold a job is not necessarily related to the
severity of the person’s illness. British and American studies have shown that
people with schizophrenia are more likely to stay out of hospital if they are
employed. While many people with schizophrenia are able to work successfully in
competitive full time employment, for others part-time or volunteer work is
best.
Work is a vital part of rehabilitation. It increases self esteem, reconnects the
ill individual to the community, and provides a meaningful way to fill time.