Hallucinations, delusions common in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a form of psychosis, is characterized by impairments in the perception or expression of reality. The patient may experience hallucinations, delusions or disorganization in speech and in the thinking process. It usually occurs in young adulthood and affects approximately one percent of the population.

“Schizophrenia occurs equally in males and females although it typically appears earlier in men with the peak ages of onset being 15–25 years for males and 25–35 years for females,” said Dr. Rodney Dalisay.

Local figures are unavailable but Philippine Health Statistics said authorities are alarmed at the increasing suicide rate in the country. In 2000 alone, there were 1.8 deaths from suicide per 100,000 population. Experts say suicide is common in people with schizophrenia.   

According to the World Health Organization, schizophrenia is one of the top 10 causes of disabilities in developed countries.

A disability survey made by the National Statistics Office (NSO) showed it is among the third most common form of disabilities with a prevalence rate of 88 cases per 100,000 population.  

“The region with the highest prevalence rate is Southern Tagalog at 132.9 cases per 100,000 population, followed by NCR at 130.8 per 100,000 population and Central Luzon at 88.2 per 100,000 population,” the NSO revealed. 

Compounding the problem is the stigma associated with schizophrenia. Patients are unfairly labeled as “psycho” or “wacko” and depicted by the media as violent.

Such negative labels are bad for patients who are forced to hide their symptoms and shun medical treatment for fear of being mocked or scorned. 

“Some people also believe that if you have (schizophrenia), you must be dangerous and unpredictable. This perception is often inflamed by media accounts of crime, although statistics don’t bear out a connection between mental illness and violence. Some people also believe that those with mental illness are less competent, unable to work, should be institutionalized or will never get better,” the Mayo Clinic said.

“As a result of such stigma, (schizophrenia) remains the butt of jokes in popular culture. Negative portrayals of people with mental illnesses fuel fear and mistrust and reinforce distorted perceptions, leading to even more stigma,” the Mayo Clinic added.

One famous victim of schizophrenia was the Nobel Laureate mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr. who was portrayed by Russell Crowe in the critically acclaimed film, A Beautiful Mind. 

The story tells of Nash’s early days at Princeton University where he meets his roommate Charles and his niece Marcee. Nash is later approached by Department of Defense agent William Parcher to help the Pentagon decipher secret messages to thwart a Soviet plot. At the end of the movie, we learn that all three people never existed and are products of Nash’s troubled mind. 

Syd Barrett, a founding member of the rock band Pink Floyd, was a brilliant musician whose musical career was cut short by schizophrenia. His first album influenced generations of musicians and made him a superstar.

As the disease progressed, however, Barrett suffered from weird thoughts, odd behavior, bizarre actions, disorganized thinking, and catatonia. He withdrew from public view at the age of 28 and stayed home until his death at age 60. 

Although there is no cure for schizophrenia, effective treatments have been developed to help patients live normal and productive lives. To educate patients and their families about this disorder, Otsuka (Philippines) Pharmaceuticals Inc. recently opened a Light One’s Life: A Patient Quality of Life Program.

This helpline provides more information on schizophrenia as well as treatment options. The helpline will direct callers to specialists who can help them.

For more information, call 811-4723 for Metro Manila and 1-800-1888-4723 for provincial calls.