schizophrenia - 10 yrs from now, how do you think it will differ?

Question

im not crazy, its for a report..

Answer 1

It will not differ, it is what it is.

Answer 2

When I first became ill my symptoms were less. Over the years Schizophrenia has tightened it's grip on me. Many antipsychotics have failed me and I have been forced to take higher doses of medicine to acheive the same good results that I obtained previously.

New research indicates that Schizophrenics are missing a few of the supporting brain cells that surround neurons. I believe they call the cells "glial cells". Hopefully this research can be combined with other brain sciences and a real treatment can develop in the future. I don't see it happening for many years.

There has not been much progress made in medicine to treat it, just a few new medicines over the years that cost more and don't work any better than what was available before. These new medicines do give us more choices though and that is good. I try every new medicine which is FDA approved, always hoping for a miracle that simply hasn't happened for me.

I do agree with the other poster that they should rename Schizophrenia to DDD. It is a much more expressive name and gives some indication of what the illness is about. The majority of people that I've mentioned the fact that I have Schizophrenia to always ask me what it is and tell me they can't detect anything wrong with me. Medicine works wonders to be able to treat something as brutal as Schizophrenia.

Schizophrenics have a very bad reputation with people saying we are dangerous and prone to violence. It is the misconception that I hate the most about my illness. Some people are actually afraid of me because I have Schizophrenia. I never raise my voice to people, I am always kind and caring. In my life I have never harmed anyone either physically or emotionally. There are approxiamately 2,950,000 Schizophrenics in the U.S.A. and only a small percentage of them commit homocides. We are not permitted to buy guns. There is something about murder and madness which terrifies people. Most people don't realize that there are dozens of other mental illnesses and that those who are afflicted with them do commit crimes also. All the crimes commited by the mentally ill are blamed on Schizophrenics. It is assumed that because they were psychotic when they commited the crime that they are therefore Schizophrenic. I would like to see that change in the future. If someone commits a crime who is mentally ill, I think they should be studied and determined exactly what is wrong with them and ways found to indentify people who are at risk of harming others or themselves, - before they commit a crime, with the outcome being a better diagnosis, better treatments and some methods of prevention.

Another thing I would like to see happen in the future is for the pharmaceutical companies to create a medicine which will not interfere with pregnancy so that women who are stable and have their illness under control can have a better chance of becoming pregnant and raising a family. At this time all the medicines for Schizophrenia are category "C", meaning they shouldn't be used during pregnancy unless there is no choice and the benefit out weighs the risk.

Answer 3

I am a 75 year old schizophrenia paranoid outpatient. When the disorder began over 40 years ago I was in terrible shape. I was put on neuroleptic medications almost immediately which helped, but they are no "silver bullet". You have to have the attitude that you are bigger then the illness and if the hallucinations persist you are going to find out what causes them (put them on the defensive instead of vice-versa).

The hallucinations which were severe at the start gradually lessened in frequency and severity and now I can safely say, I think, I have no more trouble with them (but I am cautious to stay on meds).

Good luck with your research, good health, peace and love!

Answer 4

.. research has shown that over the course of your lifetime that the symptoms of schizophrenia will will lessen.. it depends on what kind of medication your on, which type of schizophrenia, that you have. It all depends. It hard to say what will happen in the next ten years or so. Just try to keep a positive outlook.. haha easier said than done yes i know