schizophrenia

Leave a comment Posted on October 9, 2014 medical awareness, Mental health, Patient Talk

World Mental Health Day 2014. This year’s theme is shining the spotlight on schizophrenia. Raise awareness and find out more about schizophrenia in this blog.

World Mental Health Day 2014

As you can see from the poster above schizophrenia affects around 26 million people across the globe. To put it in perspective this is similar to the population of Texas.

To mark World Mental Health Day 2014 we thought it would be useful to give you a very short overview of schizophrenia. This is because schizophrenia is the theme of this year’s day.

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition which impacts how a person thinks and feels. Schizophrenia may make it hard for people to judge reality. It should be noted that not every on with schizophrenia has the same symptoms.

Early signs of Schizophrenia, according to the Mental Health Foundation include:

Sleep disturbance
Appetite disturbance
Marked unusual behavior
Feelings that are flat or seem inconsistent to others
Speech that is difficult to follow
Marked preoccupation with unusual ideas
Ideas of reference – thinking unrelated things have a special meaning, for example people on television talking to you
Persistent feelings of unreality
Changes in the way things appear, sound or smell.

The good news is that Schizophrenia is a treatable condition. Therapies can include long term m

Schizophrenia can occur in anyone but it’s a treatable disorder. Long term medication may be necessary for some people but talking therapies and self-help groups are also be effective.

To help us raise awareness of the day feel free to share this page and in particular the awareness raising graphic above.

Thanks in advance.

1 Comment Posted on October 2, 2014October 2, 2014 medical awareness, Mental health, Patient Talk

Mental Illness Awareness Week 2014 – Get informed!

Mental Illness Awareness Week 2014

Next week sees Mental Illness Awareness Week being celebrated around the world. Even though its origin is in America. We thought it would be useful to share a bit more information about the week so you can get involved.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) share “Oct. 5-11 is Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW). It is an important opportunity to learn the symptoms of major depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other conditions. It also is an opportunity for conversations about mental health care, helping to end the silence that often exists. ”

They go on to say “One in four adults experiences a mental health problem ever year. One in five children and teens also experience serious emotional disorders. One-half of cases of chronic mental illness begin by the age of 14 and three-quarters by age 24.”

Highlighting the problem of diagnosis NAMI suggest “Early identification and treatment can make a big difference for successful management of an illness and; recovery. Yet only one-third of adults and less than one-half of children with mental illness receive treatment. One reason is that symptoms may not be immediately recognized. Another is that stigma –and silence–surrounding mental illness that discourages many people from seeking help. Still another is lack of access to mental health care.”

Please remember “No one should have to confront mental illness alone. Know where to find help in case it is ever needed. Most people start with their doctor, who may refer them to mental health professional.”

If you want more detailed background that this mental health factsheet will prove very useful.