*It's a medical disorder and treatment is available* *25 May 2011 * * * *HYDERABAD* : A vital aspect that many families of schizophrenics do not realise is the fact that schizophrenia is a medical disorder. And like all medical disorders, schizophrenia too is treatable and manageable. The glitch, however, is that families take their own sweet time to realise, get over the ‘stigma', ‘shame' and ‘denial' mode before consulting a doctor.
On many occasions, by the time the doctor starts treatment, the patient has already reached the ‘chronic' stage of schizophrenia. “Schizophrenia responds to treatment because it is an ailment. Patients need treatment and rehabilitation to bring it under control. The trick is to be able to read the early signals,” says president of Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS), Professor M. Thirunavukarasu. On the occasion of World Schizophrenia Day on Tuesday, the IPS president spoke on schizophrenia at Asha Hospital. “Early diagnosis, speedy initiation to treatment, careful medical follow-up along with support systems like day care centres and vocational training is enough for patients to lead a normal life,” he said. There is a need for the family members to quickly ‘read' the early signs. “Ideally, they should be able to read the signs within 3 to 6 months. If patients are brought within that period of time, the recovery is 100 per cent. Even for chronic patients steady medication over long periods and support is enough to make them independent,” Director, Schizophrenia Division, Asha Hospitals, Dr. G. Prasad Rao said. The IPS president said that bad treatment modalities drive schizophrenics to commit suicides. “About 14 to 22 per cent of patients commit suicide because of bad treatment. Families take patients to religious places for treatment. There are instances in which parents thought marriage is the best way to treat schizophrenia,” he said. Family members have to play a key role in understanding the disease. “Parents get shattered when they initially realise their children have the ailment. They should keep in mind that medication can't be stopped among chronic patients. Psychiatrists and relatives should identify skills among patients and build on it. This will help them reintegrate with society,” said Director of Asha Hospital, Dr. K. Chandrsekhar. http://www.thehindu.com/2011/05/25/stories/2011052564820400.htm -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
