Schizophrenia

Dear Let’s Talk About It,

My youngest son Seth is 22 years old has been through a lot of ups and downs in the past year. Two weeks ago he was hospitalized after the police found him wondering the streets talking to himself. The hospital psychiatrist diagnosed him with Schizophrenia. I am in complete shock and am devastated my son is so ill. What kind of future will Seth have living with Schizophrenia? E.C.

It is not an easy occasion when your child is diagnosed with a disorder such as Schizophrenia. It is very understandable to feel shocked and even devastated. However, the more you can learn about Schizophrenia, it symptoms and patterns, the better equipped you will be to help your son as well as handle your own emotions. To give you a brief overview, Schizophrenia is a life-long brain disorder which can interfere with thought patterns, cause difficulty distinguishing reality from fantasy, cause hallucinations, make it difficult to identify emotions and relate to others. The onset of Schizophrenia typically occurs in young adulthood, such as your son’s age of 22. It is uncertain the cause of Schizophrenia but may include genetic and environmental influences during development. Although there is no “cure” for Schizophrenia, it is a treatable and manageable medical condition. There are medications that can help improve symptoms but it is also important to have other supports such as; peer to peer support groups, a psychiatrist and support from family and friends. Also, it is important for you to create a support network for yourself to help you cope with the tough times and connect with other families who have a loved one with Schizophrenia. For local support contact NAMI (National Alliance for the Mentally Ill) of Ulster County at (845)679-9944.