Schizophrenia

by larc 11 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  larc

  Logical,

  I just wanted to comment on your opening statement. "People tend to label people they are afraid of as sick." I agree with you. People do that. Most people are uninformed about the mentally ill and are afraid of them which compounds the problem.

  I think this is a different story for the diagnostician. He is trying to find the label to fit the symptoms in order to find an effective method of treatment.

  Logical, I don't know what it is like in the UK, but in the US we have turned our back on the mentally ill. As Francois pointed out, Ann will turn into a bag lady at best. Fully one third of the homeless in the US are schizophrenic, even though schizophrenics make up only one percent of the population.

  Waiting described the father who takes care of his son. One of the schizophrenics I know also has a father who takes care of him. The other one is a former General Motors engineer out on medical disability. His GM benefits allow him to have his own apartment. These are the lucky ones compared to the street people.
• 

  waiting

  Hey larc,

  Fully one third of the homeless in the US are schizophrenic, even though schizophrenics make up only one percent of the population.

  I've seen TV News shows and also read documentation of the above information. Also, mental hospitals have been in the news because of turning mentally ill persons out - and onto the street.

  I would think one reason there are so many street schizophrenics is because they're adult - and their families are older. A retarded or mentally ill under age child is one thing - a grown person 35-55-75 is another. Particularily when the mentally ill person behaves in a way that shows he doesn't want to take his medicine, not wanting to help himself. Part of the cause and effect, I guess.

  I was in Atlantic City a couple of years back - would walk along the pier early in the morning - so quiet. That was when the bag ladies, "schizos", etc., would be out and about. I was still a jw - and we're definitely taught not to give handout to "beggars." "Some of those people have nicer homes than we do." "Just helping him buy his next bottle of booze."

  This one woman I met was a bag lady, just sitting on a bench with all her goods in a grocery cart. Not talking to anyone. I had just bought coffee - went back and bought a bisquit, then gave them to her. I apologized if that offended her, but just felt sorry for her. She was just so alone.

  Another guy was in an entryway between two hotels. Had pants on, no shirt or shoes. Young, handsome, muscular - in his early 20's. He was doing flips in the air, all kinds of acrobatics. Very few were watching at 7am. I was walking by, heard the hotel people calling the police. The man did this on a regular basis - working up an incredible sweat - not talking, just laughing. He scared people - because it became obvious he was mentally ill. I just kept walking, he was strange and very intent on his actions.

  Mentally ill persons do make us feel uncomfortable - anything we're not used to does that. "Our comfort zone" has been breached.

  I appreciate this information - and this thread. Thanks, Larc.

  waiting