Nine Common Misinformation on Schizophrenia

In the feless exhibition "Let Us not Overlook - Journey of Schizophrenia from Prehistory to Modern-Day", which aims to increase and mindfulness as to schizophrenia, nine common misinformation on schizophrenia has been compiled.

Here are rights and wrongs regarding schizophrenia with nine questions

WRONG

Schizophrenia patients must be hospitalized.

RIGHT

Schizophrenia patients can receive ambulatory treatment except for acute periods. They might sustain a healthy life in society with appropriate treatment and having medicines regularly. In fact, being in the society benefits them more than being detached.

WRONG

Schizophrenia is entirely a hereditary disease.

RIGHT

Schizophrenia is not entirely a hereditary disease. Even in maternal twins, schizophrenia is seen at 48 percent rate in the other twin. Schizophrenia is complicated brain disease that emerges due to the interaction of hereditary inclination, stress, and environmental factors.

WRONG

Schizophrenia patients are aggressive and dangerous.

RIGHT

They are mostly not aggressive nor dangerous, but on the contrary they are the ones who are exposed to aggression. Their aggression is usually directed at themselves and their suicide rates are high. Their damage on society is far less than the damage imposed on them by society through labeling and negative prejudices.

WRONG

Intelligence level of schizophrenia patients is low.

RIGHT

Intelligence level of schizophrenia patients is the same as the rest of the society; it can be low, medium, or high. Even though intelligence level varies as in any society, this is not a feature of the disease. There are Nobel Prize winners among schizophrenia patients.

WRONG

Schizophrenia begins suddenly.

RIGHT

Schizophrenia usually begins slowly. Its first symptoms may appear in puberty, though mostly not realized. Decrease in performance in courses at school, communication issues with family and friends, difficulties in organizing information may arise. He/she may hear whisperings, though not voices, which cannot be identified.

WRONG

Schizophrenia is an incurable and non-healing disease.

RIGHT

Schizophrenia is a curable and healing disease. Indeed what is meant with such possibilities is not totally curing it. As in many other diseases, they can lead an independent and productive life with the help of regular drug therapy, and psycho-social treatments and rehabilitations.

WRONG

Schizophrenia might be caused by false steps or weak personality of parents.

RIGHT

Schizophrenia is a complicated brain disease. It doesn't emerge due to weak personality or false steps of parent.

WRONG

Same symptoms are seen in all schizophrenia patients.

RIGHT

Schizophrenia is not a disease in which only hallucinations and delusions are seen. In schizophrenia, disorders like difficulties in thinking clearly, controlling emotions, and making a decision might be seen.

WRONG

Schizophrenia patients can never have a job, and cannot work.

RIGHT

Treated schizophrenia patients may work and produce in accordance with their skills and opportunities.

The exhibition organized with the contributions of Abdi İbrahim Otsuka may be visited until October 25 in Harbiye Askeri Müzesi (Harbiye Military Museum) and may be visited between the dates of November 5-15 in Ankara Vermodern. (NV/TK)

CLICK - JOURNEY TOWARDS HISTORY OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Click here to read the article in Turkish