Short Steps

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental illness which affects how people think and, consequently, their perception of reality, their emotions and their behaviour. Around 1 in 100 people will be affected by schizophrenia, which usually develops in their late teens or early twenties (although it can begin in later years).

Schizophrenia can be caused by a number of factors, including genetic make-up, traumatic experience, brain injuries or problems with brain development.

People with schizophrenia is can experience both ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ symptoms. Positive symptoms are so called because they involve an ‘excessive’ experience, such as a psychotic or delusional episode. They can include delusions, hallucinations and disturbances in thought process. Negative symptoms are usually long-term symptoms and they involve a loss of normal functions; that is, a ‘subduing’ of experience. Examples include a lack of emotion and motivation, tiredness or a lack of energy, becoming withdrawn and isolated, lack of concentration, a loss of interest in life and sleep deprivation.

Successful treatment

Schizophrenia can be very successfully treated with a combination of medication and a holistic recovery package which looks at all areas of a person’s life. Antipsychotic medication targets positive symptoms, and these are powerful drugs which can have some unpleasant side effects. People with schizophrenia should discuss with their doctor which would be most suitable for them. However, medication should only be part of a holistic recovery package. Hafal’s Recovery Programme looks at every area of a person’s life in identifying a route to recovery.   

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder (or manic depression) causes extreme shifts in a person’s mood. People with bipolar disorder often have episodes of mania and depression throughout their lives, but in between these episodes are completely free of symptoms. Again, 1 in 100 people will get bipolar disorder.

Like schizophrenia, genes are believed to be a significant factor in a person’s likelihood of getting bipolar disorder. However, other factors such as stressful life events or physical injuries can also lead to a person developing the illness.

As the name suggests, bipolar symptoms can be classed as either ‘manic’ or depressive. Manic symptoms can include a continuous elevated or euphoric mood; irritability and restlessness; increased energy and self-esteem; little need for sleep; talkativeness; increased sex drive; racing thoughts; inability to concentrate; risk-taking; increased spending. Depressive symptoms can include a persistent subdued or sad mood; anxiety; loss of interest or pleasure in life; change in appetite or body weight; insomnia / oversleeping; fatigue; loss of energy; lack of sex drive; self-harm or suicidal thoughts; feelings of guilt and worthlessness; difficulty concentrating.

A person can have both manic and depressive symptoms at the same time, and psychotic symptoms such as delusions or hallucinations may also be present during severe episodes of either mania or depression.

Successful treatment

As with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder responds very well to treatment and will often combine medication with other care strategies. The mood stabiliser lithium carbonate is very commonly used in treating manic symptoms, while anti-depressants and talking treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are used to treat depressive symptoms.

As with schizophrenia, the most effective care packages for bipolar disorder are those which take into account all areas of a person’s life and this is why Hafal’s Recovery Programme has proved so effective in helping people to recover from bipolar disorder and other serious mental illnesses.

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