Niutoli Tuccu
Schizophrenia is a psychological disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally, it is characterized most commonly by hearing voices, seeing things, unorganized thought or speech, remaining mute or staying static which cause disruption to one’s quality of life. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and chronic. It is considered a psychotic disorder in the mental health field and is usually treated with psychotropic medications with therapies. Mental illnesses– especially severe psychotic illnesses are stigmatizing, those who suffer, experiences suffering in the forms of discrimination, labelling “Demon Possessed” and societal exclusion. Firstly, the bible leaves no doubt that demon possession exists, and Jesus made it part of the disciples’ mission to both ‘drive out all demons and to cure diseases’: (Luke 9:1-2) and to cure disease includes “Mental Illnesses” (Deuteronomy 28:28, Job 3:11, Jeremiah 20: 14&18, 1Kings 19:4, Psalm38:6&8, psalm45: 5, Psalm 43:2, 2 Corinthians12: 7-8, Mark 14: 34-36)
TYPES
Schizotypal Personality Disorder (STPD): People with STPD have distorted views of reality, superstitions and unusual behaviours. Their relationships are usually hindered by their symptoms. Hallucination: These usually involve seeing or hearing things that don't exist but it is normal for schizophrenic to still see, hear, smell, touch or taste them. Hallucinations can be in any of the senses, but hearing voices is the most common.
Delusional Disorder: These are false beliefs not reality, a person won’t change even when there’s plenty of evidence that those beliefs are wrong. There are many types, including persecutory, jealous and grandiose types.
Schizophreni form Disorder: is a short term types of psychotic disorder, a serious mental condition that can distort the way you: think, act, expresses emotions, perceives reality, relate to others. Schizoaffective Disorder: may experience depression, mania and psychosis. It has features of two different disorders: “Schizo” means the psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Affective” refers to a mood disorder, or severe changes in a person’s mood, energy and behaviour.
Catatonia: is a syndrome that can include a lack of movement, inappropriate or bizarre posture, a complete lack of response, unusual repetitive behaviours or not speaking (mutism).
CAUSES
Genetics: People with a family history of schizophrenia especially a parent or sibling with it — have a much higher risk of developing this condition.
Environment: Many factors in the world around you can increase your risk of developing schizophrenia. Certain illnesses that affect your brain, including infections and autoimmune diseases, extreme stress for long periods can also play a role in developing it.
Development and birth circumstances: The risk of having schizophrenia goes up if your mother had gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, malnutrition or a vitamin D deficiency while she was pregnant with you. The risk also increases if there were complications during your birth.
Recreational drug use: Researchers have linked schizophrenia with certain recreational drugs, especially in larger amounts like marijuana, Sunflower drug, Alcohol and other substance use.
Lastly, as an educated people, we all have a role to play in eliminating this stigma labelling “Demon Possessed” and helping people with mental illness to integrate into the society. Antipsychotic medications along with different therapies by experts which work to suppress dopamine improve symptoms to a great extend, cannot alleviate symptom or heal demon possessed client. For this reason, we need to be very careful about ‘labelling’ demon possession – which compounds stigma. Further, we all have to pray for discernment and seek experts advices (Mental health experts: Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Psychiatrist) before concluding that there is a demonic element in someone’s mental illnesses, as psychiatric medication cannot alleviate or heal demon possessed client.
The writer is Rehabilitation Psychologists (RCI) and General Secretary at All Nagaland Counsellor Association (ANCA)
This article is made purely for Psycho education and awareness on All Nagaland Counsellors Day (November 27).
