Schizophrenia
What Is Schizophrenia ?
– it is a cruel brain disease
– it constricts experiences
– it destroys opportunities
– it attacks all socioeconomic levels and nationalities
– it attacks about 6 people out of every 1000 in Canada
– rate in North America appears to be increasing
– MRI studies show structural abnormalities in some brains affected by schizophrenia
– it usually strikes in late adolescence / early adult years – just as opportunities for most people are unfolding
– it can strike younger children but is rare
– many of our “homeless” have schizophrenia
– many inmates in our prisons are ill with schizophrenia
– individuals with schizophrenia are frequently victimized
– many individuals with schizophrenia do not receive treatment
– it is a disease that continues to baffle mental health professionals
– there is a history of abuse by governments – forced sterilization, lobotomies, persecution, execution, incarceration in prison
– often a repeating cycle of jail, hospital, street
– there is a wide range of symptoms
– there is no cure
– treatment is elusive but can be very effective
– schizophrenia is the single largest diagnosis for individuals receiving social assistance
– the financial costs of schizophrenia are staggering
– the human casts are unimaginable