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Xyle Soulful

creator , Suryadi Enterprise

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Spread Awareness that Schizophrenia is not a 24 x 7 Mental condition

Most people have no idea what schizophrenia really is. They think that Schizophrenia is a 24 x 7 mental condition and people diagnosed with it are under delusion, hallucination or hearing voices all the time.

Typically, as per my experience... when the key symptoms show up it is known as 'Episode'. Episode can be controlled within a period of 1 day or 1 week depending on how long it takes for the affected person to have the medication working effectively.

I would say, most people with this mental condition spend 5% in Episodes and 95% dealing with the effects of medicines, memories and trauma resulting from the Episode.

If this clarity is brought forward on media it can change the way how people see the affected.

Mostly, people affected with schizophrenia are dealing or trying to cope up with daily life 95% of their lifetime.

The acute challenge is Episode .... but the challenge posed by the reality of social awareness imposes the impression that the Episode or Key symptoms of Schizophrenia is a lifelong experience.

Hence, the affected people are treated with stigma in the society.

There could be a change in the approach of people affected with Schizophrenia, Caregivers, Medical Professionals and society in general if this distinction is expressed clearly when talking about Schizophrenia.

Would spreading a simple message that Schizophrenia is not a 24 x 7 mental condition bring about a change in thinking??

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Topics: 24 x 7 5% 95% Myth awareness condition mental schizophrenia
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    Paul Kirhagis

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    Jan 9 2013: I'm unsure if spreading that message would lead to any less stigma from society. People, whether it is warranted or not, fear the unknown. Even if episodes only occur intermittently, the one time someone experiences that person during such a time would effect them quite adversely.

    • Xyle Soulful

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      Jan 9 2013: Yes, the experiences during an Episode can be very strong and it is a whole diff journey to reflect over the content and redefine the meanings we attach to those experiences. But this journey, although rooted in key symptoms of Schizophrenia, is separate from the mental condition itself.By drawing the line of distinction between 'Episode' and 'Usual Life,' the affected person and the care giving team can focus in the right areas.

      For example, by discovering this line of distinction in my life, I am able to manage my mental condition, the trauma and memories of Episodes, redefining my reality, working towards my goals in life.... without mixing it all up with one thought that I am a Schizophrenic.

      Once I started to see it as 5% ... it immediately moved my attention towards 95% and recreate my life. It is an empowering perspective. By making difference in my own life, the people around me are starting to see it as just another form of illness or extraordinary mental condition.

      The core intent is to shift the attention from 5% to 95%.
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        Paul Kirhagis

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        Jan 9 2013: That is an amazing perspective. I applaud you for recognizing it. Reading your post changed my feeling on the discussion as well. As an otherwise unaware person on this I can feel myself switching gears to see people with not only mental illness, but any illness as people independent of their conditions. Thanks :)

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