1. The Soloist

2. Schizophrenia
A psychotic disorder in which a person has lost touch with reality
Hallucinations and delusional thinking frequently accompany this disorder

3. Hallucinations
Experiencing sensations that don’t actually exist except inside your head
For example, seeing things, hearing voices, or smelling, tasting, or feeling things that are not actually there

4. Auditory Hallucinations
Hearing voices inside your head
Your brain interprets these voices to be real because the part of of your brain that process auditory information is activated
These voices usually insult you, tell you negative things, or tell you to do things

5. Are all schizophrenics the same?
No – some have severe cases and are unable to function in society at all and need to be in a psychiatric hospital
Others are able to lead quite normal lives with the help of antipsychotic medication
Some experience multiple, long-lasting episodes of psychosis, and others may have only an occasional psychotic episode

6. Nature or Nurture?
Schizophrenia is genetic and is unlikely to occur in someone who does not have a parent or relative who has it
However, schizophrenic episodes are often brought on by anxiety and stressful situations

7. Are schizophrenics violent?
Most people falsely believe the stereotype that schizophrenics are dangerous
In reality, the vast majority are not dangerous
They are more likely to harm themselves than act out violently toward others

8. Types of Schizophrenia
Paranoid
Disorganized
Catatonic
Undifferentiated

9. Paranoid Schizophrenia
Characterized by delusions (false beliefs) about being persecuted by others
Because they believe that others are out to get them they don’t usually trust anyone and likely won’t take medication b/c they believe it to be poison
Other thoughts, speech, and emotions may appear fairly normal

10. Disorganized Schizophrenia
Behavior often appears “crazy”
Frequently confused, incoherent, and have jumbled speech (word salad)
Behavior is often silly, childlike, or inappropriate for the situation
May also exhibit flat affect (appear emotionless)
Ability to perform normal daily activities may suffer – eating, showering, finding adequate and safe shelter

11. Catatonic Schizophrenia
Visibly appear unresponsive to the world around them
Appear rigid, stiff, and immobile
Unwilling or unable to respond to the world around them, though they may be very well aware of what is going on
May demonstrate peculiar movements, strike bizarre postures, or appear to grimace for no apparent reason

12. Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
Diagnosis given when person does not clearly fit into one of the other 3 subtypes
Often has a combination of the symptoms of the other 3

13. Where do they end up?
Unfortunately, many schizophrenics do not receive the treatment that they need
Most are not in psychiatric hospitals, but instead living on the streets or in jail

14. It is estimated that anywhere from 30 – 60% of the homeless population in this country is mentally ill – that translates to hundreds of thousands of mentally ill individuals living on the streets of America
Most of those who are in jail are not in for violent crimes, but rather for petty things like trespassing or disturbing the peace – they are usually not even aware of why they are being arrested

15. What about treatment?
Though treatment is available many do not benefit from it for a number of reasons.
Some are unresponsive to medication
Some refuse treatment because they do not trust the doctors/social workers or because they don’t believe they are ill
Some are not capable of regularly taking their medication due to forgetfulness or disorganized thinking

16. Can a schizophrenic be forced into treatment if they would clearly benefit from it?
No one can be forced into a psychiatric hospital or forced to take medication against their will unless it is determined that they are a danger to themselves or others i.e. makes a suicide threat or threatens to kill someone else