People Fear That Which They Don’t Understand

By: Peggy Cunningham, MA, NCC, LPC

Director of Therapeutic Services

Mental illness surrounds us every day.  It lives beside us in our friends, family, co-workers, and the people we pass on the street.  Often there are no visible signs that a problem exists and we just greet the person and go about our daily lives.  On the other hand, sometimes we see that person on the street corner carrying on a conversation with a person whose not really there and wonder what is going on.  Another time we see someone walking down the street when it is 108 degrees with a stocking hat on and do not understand the hat keeps the voices away.  On another occasion a family comes home to find their home in chaos.  One member of the family reports that while others were away aliens invaded their home and a war was waged.  There are stories of being able to read people’s minds, television and radio frequencies that carry special messages to certain people and strange communication skills.  There are discussions of hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and thought broadcasting that we avoid and don’t understand.

There was a wonderful article recently in the Kansas City Star “Living with the schizophrenia, haunted by voices” that put names, faces, hope, and heartache to the individuals and family members of those who suffer from the mental disorder “Schizophrenia”. 

People living with this disease exhibit bizarre behavior, hear voices and see things (hallucinations), believe certain things to be true that are not based in reality (delusions), have difficulty with emotions, jump from topic to topic and thought to thought for no reason.  This individual is often anxious, has problems with thinking and with expressing their ideas. Often those who suffer from this disorder abuse drugs or alcohol in an attempt to self medicate, and in an attempt to manage their own symptoms.

This disease often appears in the late teens or early twenties.  Prior to the onset of symptoms the individual lived a “normal” life. This disease is best treated by medication, as schizophrenia is a disease of the brain.  Many of these medications have harsh side effects, creating issues with compliance.  Those suffering from schizophrenia often are social isolates and have minimal support.  Families respond in the best manner they can but the challenging behaviors and lack of compliance with medication often make this difficult.  Often those suffering from this disease are on the streets, in jails or prison, and are societal misfits.  Social skills training and community support services can be helpful.  Individuals suffering from schizophrenia can often be victimized and may need help with money management, becoming familiar with symptoms management and using public transportation.

See beyond to the disease, the poor personal hygiene, the muttering, and the bizarre behavior.  See the man or woman as an individual with feelings and needs like anyone else.  Above all, do not fear these people, but encourage them to get help, and be part of the solution by ensuring the funding and resources are available for those suffering from this disease.  These people are each of our “RESPONSIBILITY.”