what will be the type of life a paranoid schizophrenic have to face in his/her initial peroid?

I'm new to this forum but my son has schizophrenia and he actually does quite well although not up to his full potential. Because of stigma and the reluctance of people to talk about the illness we often do not know of people who are doing well. This is shameless self promotion but I just released a book I did on schizophrenia and talked at length about the potential that people can achieve with examples. I also listed famous people who have had the disease. Don't know if that helps but it helps me. You can read about my book and essays at http://www.cuttingforstone.com. I run the site with a psychiatrist and there are interesting essays on it.

He/She can lead a quality life, Clozaril is said to be the best med. People with schizophrenia can lead productive lives check out a the movie where the true person John Nash fiqures out the equalibrium and gets a nobel peace prize, the lead singer of pink floyd who died was a rich person with schiz. it is a little harder for people with schiz becuase of stigma related issues but the possibillities are endless.

My son was recently diagnosed at age 16, has been on many meds already and keeps being switched around because we are not getting good treatment effects. His psychiatrist says he must have a severe case and I am beginning to suspect he has had it since childhood and was misdiagnosed as ADHD. He presented with paranoid schiz with visual and auditory hallucinations. Most of his paranoia is gone but he still hears a voice in his head. He is unable to attend school at this point and I am trying to get a tutor for him. Basically he has lost the whole year at this point. He will be 17 this month and is still in ninth grade. He says he wants a high school diploma and has an average IQ. However he is very disconnected from reality, forgets things easily, and is unable to see the "whole" picture when thinking about the future- for example, wants a diploma but can't understand that by not doing his school work will not get one! He has very poor motivation needless to say. He needs a very structured environment. I am very frustrated at this point since he is doing alot better than he was but I am skeptical about what the future holds for him. Hope you have better luck.

Hello deepz,

 

In the initial period, there will be feelings of shock, numbness and denial, and hoping against hope that things will get better.  I urge you to read my SharePosts, "Responding to Trauma" at http://www.healthcentral.com/schizophrenia/c/120/28616/responding and "Seven Steps to Recovery" at http://www.healthcentral.com/schizophrenia/c/120/25862/steps-recovery .

 

The prognosis is generally good if someone commits to staying in treatment, takes the medication as prescribed every day, and reaches out to his or her support network, and maintains close, healthy relationships with friends and family.

 

I know people with schizophrenia who collect disability checks.  I know people with schizophrenia who are employed full-time.  People with schizophrenia are artists, mothers, fathers, bankers, writers, musicians, and yes, as someone else mentioned, John Nash, Jr. won a Nobel prize.

 

Forget the statistics, though I'll quote them if that helps you.  60 percent of those diagnosed with schizophrenia recover fully or improve significantly, and among those who do less well, good improvement is also possible over time.  The point is not to compare yourself to other people, yet not to feel helpless.

 

By relying on your support network, attending a day program, doing volunteer work or working at some kind of paid employment, you can feel better about yourself and have a productive life.

 

Each persons' situation is different, however, the one thing we have in common is that we are all human beings and there is no shame in having schizophrenia, even though sometimes we feel guilty about it.

 

There is hope.

 

Regards,

Chri