Schizophrenia Myths Part 1

2 years ago 55

The post Schizophrenia Myths Part 1 appeared first on Life Conquering Blog. Schizophrenia myths cause trouble for the person with the mental illness as well as the community at large.� There is about one percent of the population that...

The post Schizophrenia Myths Part 1 appeared first on Life Conquering Blog.

Schizophrenia myths cause trouble for the person with the mental illness as well as the community at large.� There is about one percent of the population that have schizophrenia.� This mental illness is well known across the county. At the same time, research suggests that laypeople know little to nothing about schizophrenia or any other mental illness.� As a result, there are many myths floating around out there concerning this extremely complex mental illness.� Due to these myths, there are countless people who are unable to get treatment due to the stigma.

schizophrenia myths

Myth 1: Schizophrenia means you have a split personality

This can be attributed to the fictional characters, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde who are seen in literature.� Through the years these schizophrenia myths, ordinary people have perpetuated the belief that a person with schizophrenia has multiple personality disorder much like the Jekyll/Hyde persona.� This notion is completely wrong on all accounts.� This myth sets up one to believe that a schizophrenic person is dangerous and unpredictable.� If anyone were to walk in a schizophrenic�s shoes and believes they are being abused and terrified from the voices, that �normal� person will respond in the same way.

Myth 2: All schizophrenics are violent and dangerous

I would like for you to meet my friend Dan.� He is schizophrenic and I met him in group therapy.� Dan totally shatters these schizophrenia myths. He is polite, nice, calm, funny, smart and caring.� In your mind, you probably do not believe those characteristics could describe someone who has schizophrenia.� Moreover, this is a fairly common myth based on the absolutely wrong theory that all people with a mental illness are dangerous and can go off at any second.� Even I get extremely angry when I am in a rage.� I want to destroy anything in my path.� But, my faith and my current medicine I am on seems to be stabilizing me.� This does not make me a violent person.

Myth 3: People with serious mental illness are completely disabled

Speaking from experience, my bipolar 1 with psychotic features, mixed episodes and ultra-rapid cycling is very serious.� Meaning it ranks up there with schizophrenia.� All my life I have had trouble holding down more than 20 jobs.� I have never applied for disability.� Currently, I am working a freelance job that allows me to be my own boss.� It is refreshing to be able to set my own schedule and my own deadlines.� Or take a break and go for a walk.� This is working because I analyzed my disability, my work history and my personality and figured out what I can and cannot do.� Many people do this too in order to reverse these schizophrenic myths.

schizophrenia myths

Myth 4: Schizophrenia makes people lazy

Many mental illnesses do make it more difficult for them to care of their daily needs.� This just means you need help dressing and bathing.� Based on my own personal experience, family (close family) may not be as sensitive to your needs as you would like.� Instead they focus only on themselves.