World Schizophrenia Day

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness affecting more than 21 million people worldwide. To raise awareness, each year on 24th May, World Schizophrenia Day is marked to help people suffering from this mental illness. The purpose of this day is to spread awareness about this illness and also eradicate the myths. This year, the theme adopted for World Schizophrenia Day is ‘Discover Better Mental Health’.

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric condition where certain chemicals in certain areas of the brain are out of balance. If that happens there can be a lack of coordination between thoughts, actions, and emotions. The term ‘schizophrenia’ literally means “a splitting of the mind” and was coined in 1910 by Swiss psychiatrist Dr. Paul Eugen Bleuler. Schizophrenia starts in early adulthood or late adolescence, typically between the ages of 15 to 28.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),” Schizophrenia is characterised by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self and behaviour. Common experiences include hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things that are not there) and delusions (fixed, false beliefs).Worldwide, schizophrenia is associated with considerable disability and may affect educational and occupational performance.”

Keeping with the spirit of World Schizophrenia Day, let us abolish the stigma and the fear people have of schizophrenia. As rightly said by Milt Greek,” There are a number of things that family and friends can do to help a person with schizophrenia. One of the simplest and most effective is to create a positive environment around the person.”