Why is it some ppl. cope well with the illness while others do not?

Hi Valash,

Your question is an interesting one.

Several factors could be at play.

The quicker you get into treatment, the better the outcome.

If you stay on your meds, you can recover.

Not everyone who is on medication will have total symptom relief, however.

Even with that, a person can function well if he or she develops coping skills.

Having insight or awareness into your illness is something that also helps.

Persistent negative symptoms also are often at play when a person is perceived to be "totally debilitated," because the negative symptoms are harder to treat.

I have no doubt that if my mother hadn't taken action when she did, it would've been that much more difficult for me to recover.

So a number of things can be factored in.

Regards,

Christina

A major factor that determines functionality in someone with schizophrenia is insight.  I have been living with this horribly disabling disease for over four years.  The first three years I spent going on and off medication.  When you feel normal, it is easy to believe that the disease has somehow "fixed" itself.  However, each time you stop taking medication you will relapse into a psychotic episode that is even more severe than the previous ones.  I am not well.  I believe schizophrenia is a conspiracy - socially constructed rather than biologically inherited.  However, there are rules to the game, if you prefer to call it that.  #1.  Doctors, family, etc. repeatedly tell you that you have schizophrenia.  #2.  Because you have schizophrenia, all of the emotions (fear, anxiety, panic, irritability, hopelessness) are only in your head.  #3.  Because they are only thoughts they are harmless.  No one is going to hurt you.  Stay on your meds and gradually your life will improve.  Trust your family and your doctors, they are here to help you.