MyChoice

You, or some close to you have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia, now what?

If you, or a loved one, have just been diagnosed with schizophrenia, you’ll be dealing with a tumult of emotions: fear, anger, uncertainty, and possibly a sense of relief that you finally have an explanation for what’s been happening.

It’s important not to panic, and to realise you are not alone. There are many individuals who are willing to share their experiences, and organisations designed to help you deal with the diagnosis positively.

Take, for instance, the words of one person with schizophrenia posted on schizophrenia.com:

‘The early years when you are first diagnosed are very hard. Many people are very surprised by the illness and don’t know what to do. Many refuse medicines. But as time goes on, most people learn what works. They find their best medication. They find a way to live that is satisfying and doesn’t stress them too much. They learn not to drink too much alcohol, and to take care of themselves. They find a good doctor, and often others help them, such as friends, priest or counsellor. People make a decent life for themselves. They find love, they find work… it gets better. The key is to stick with the medication, and to never give up.’

Coping with the diagnosis

It is not only normal for individuals to refuse to accept the initial diagnosis, it is perfectly reasonable. There is no test for schizophrenia. The diagnosis is based on a doctor’s observations and conclusions¹. Many of the symptoms associated with schizophrenia are present in other mental illnesses, such as bipolar disorder². For these reasons, you may be inclined to seek a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis. However, studies suggest that early diagnosis and treatment results in a better prognosis, so act quickly³.

What to expect

Once you have a definitive diagnosis, acceptance is the next step. Acceptance that you have schizophrenia; acceptance that there will be setbacks, especially as schizophrenia affects different people in different ways and with varying degrees of severity⁴; acceptance that a period of hospitalisation may be required⁵; but also acceptance that with the right medication and treatment, many individuals with schizophrenia are able to lead productive lives⁶.

After diagnosis, you need to:

Find a doctor you can trust. You will have many questions for your psychiatrist and it is important that you feel comfortable with the advice you are receiving;
Follow your doctor’s instructions. If you are prescribed medication, take it; but remember that prescribing the right medication, or combination of medicines, is very much a trial-and-error process. Tell your doctor how the medication makes you feel and if you experience any side effects. Medications work successfully in approximately 70 per cent of patients, but studies show that ‘a medication gap of as little as one to 10 continuous days in a one-year period is sufficient to double the risk of hospitalisation’⁸;
Explain the illness. Decide who you want to tell (family, friends), who you need to tell (employer, school), and provide them with information to help them understand schizophrenia;
Seek help when you need it. As well as your healthcare professional, there are a number of organisations dedicated to helping people with mental illnesses. They offer information and advice, or simply someone to talk to. The following are excellent starting points: www.SANE.org ; www.mifa.org.au ; www.arafmi.org ; au.reachout.com ; and www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Schizophrenia

References