Paranoid Schizophrenia

A couple of days ago, Aamir Khan's brother Faisal Khan was reported to have gone missing owing to his mental condition of Paranoid Schizopherenia (PS). Faisal's failures on various fronts in his personal and professional life led to this mental problem, where he was having hallucinations, suffering from delusions and was highly suspicious of everyone. But what exactly is this ailment?


Paranoid Schizophrenia: What is it?

A young college-going boy lost interest in studies without any apparent reason. He stopped attending college and remained behind closed doors. He muttered to himself and made gestures. He stopped brushing his teeth or having a bath. He felt that people were humouring him and plotting on hurting him. These symptoms gradually increased

and the parents visited the family priest for treatment. Six months later the boy assaulted his mother and accused her of black magic. He was diagnosed to be suffering from Paranoid Schizophrenia, a subtype of Schizophrenia, in which you have irrational fears and beliefs that others are conspiring against you. It is a brain disease and those diagnosed early recover quickly. Those who do not miss their medications and seek counseling have fewer relapses and above 80% lead near normal lives. The illness can be controlled although not cured.


Causes

• This illness can run in families yet children of one ill parent have 85% chances of NOT getting it.

• Neurotransmitter imbalances and a defect in development of neurons can be a cause

• Stress can trigger the illness

• At times no apparent trigger may exist.


Symptoms

• Hallucination — A woman complained that she could hear imaginary voices, asking her to run away. She could also see people coming to attack her.

• Delusions — These are false beliefs. Another patient believed that he was being poisoned. He also thought that his name is called out on the television program daily. My son looks expressionless shared Joseph a father of a kid suffering from PS.


Tips for the FamilyMedicines are a must

• Those who have had one or more episodes of PS need to take medications for at least two to five years; most patients need to take it for life

• Family members should supervise and democratically share the care with every one in the family

• A big mistake families do is insulating the non-affected siblings thereby causing significant stress in them

• Preventing relapses by not discontinuing the medication also helps prevent emotional disability and memory problems

• Religious rituals, marriage, visit to holy shrines cannot cure or substitute for medicines

• Focus on the well being and continue your medicines. Newer medications are better than the older ones.


The difficult patient

• A young boy had absconded four times due to his suspiciousness as he discontinued his medication every time he was discharged from the hospital. He would leave home suspecting his parents of harming him. A long stint at a rehabilitation centre helped him recover better.

• When patients refuse to take medications, seek the help of relatives/recovered patients/support group members/counselors/neighbours and so on.

• Those who are violent may need brief hospitalization.

• Seeking help from police/lawyer is necessary

• At times, after achieving recovery of symptoms of violence patients may benefit from a 12 week-6 month stay at a rehabilitation centre. Consistent counseling helps the patient in accepting the illness and taking responsibility for recovery

• Communication skills, lack of confidence, skills for sustaining a job are taught at rehabilitation centres which help the patients recover fast.


Human, after all

Recently a businessman rushed to me with his PS affected son when he danced to Yuvraj's sixes. Every patient has a right to express their normal feelings and should not be viewed through a microscope by the family. Do not be an assistant psychiatrist at home and live your life king size. You are not responsible for the illness and take your patient to all outings and family functions. No blame, no shame is the mantra for the health of the family.


Support groups/ Occupation

• Seeking education about the illness brings down the relapse rates by 50 per cent. Meaningful occupation also promotes recovery. When choosing a job consult the shrink/counselor

• Have a 10-point plan i.e. it might take many attempts before settling in a job. Recovery may not be similar in all
• Counseling during the recovery can address issues related to symptoms, impact on the family, marital complications, job, problems in memory and learning

• Those who undergo counseling along with medications have better recovery

• Support groups provide social support, help during crisis and new knowledge about treatments.


Observe this!

You know a person is suffering from paranoid schizophrenia when you notice symptoms such as,

• Talking to self
• Feeling excessively suspicious
• Abusing /assaulting without reason,
• Lost in thought and making abnormal gestures
• Lack of sleep
• Imagining that people are plotting against you.