Further reflections on working with individuals diagnosed with Schizophrenia

Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, can be understood to be interpreting reality differently from the majority. This immediately raises a question of who has the monopoly on reality even in numbers and it's a tricky question. However, it could be posed that individuals with schizophrenia are often troubled by hearing voices and experiencing visual hallucinations which others do not experience and therefore there is an interference in their reality, affecting a sense of shared understanding. On the other hand, I think from having worked on acute psychiatric wards with men and women, that meaning can start to be thought about with experiences collated under the quite nebulous umbrella term of schizophrenia.

It s not new or unique to state that it is likely that schizophrenia would best be reframed in trauma informed terms, due to the prevalence of traumatic experiences with those diagnosed with schizophrenia, alongside consideration of aspects relating to personality, constitution, trans and intergenerational aspects and historical family dynamics. It seems that there is always a 'normal' aspect of individuals with such a diagnosis, which can hold a fruitful dialogue in a back and forth manner and mostly also the capacity to start to grapple with different aspects of their experience such as the religious content, discussing paranoia and anxiety and how interpretation of intrusive thoughts and voices and other situations are relevant.

My experience of wanting to help often misunderstood and abandoned individuals and families with schizophrenia, is the factor of sense of self which seems to be in need of establishing and maintaining, over time. With sense of sense is the element of identity and in relation to their family, is often revealing, helping to better understand the situation ad therefore to better know how to help. Reliance on medication rather than a mix of reliance also on one's own resources is another area to strengthen and to start to redefine the individual in terms alongside or apart from schizophrenia. Discussing the person's strengths and interests is important to keep the diagnosis in perspective, for a more fruitful life to be considered and brought to fruition.

Mistrust seems to be a prominent issue in schizophrenia and it really is not surprising, with the family dynamics often involving neglect, abuse and skewed boundaries, clearly a major component in this diagnosis. I am struck by the extent of suffering amongst this population, suffering through often 8 hour episodes of paranoia each day, unable to leave their home and very much isolated. We need to better understand this condition and offer a consistent and reliable connection with these individuals to offer some hope. Presumably the medication replaces parenting to some extent and this is not to blame parenting and it would be worth exploring this line of enquiry more.

I have been committed to helping individuals and families with schizophrenia and psychosis amongst them, and to recognise some of the everyday nature of some of the symptoms and dispel some of the fear which surrounds these diagnoses. I have been working with such individuals and families for over 35 years, and I am confident that a significant difference can be made to quality of life, in therapy. Please know that you can contact me by mobile 07952 717 951 or email [email protected] or though my website www.helenholmespsychotherapist.com

I also specialise in treating anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, addictions, trauma, interpersonal violence, family issues and pre and perinatal concerns. I will do my utmost to help you and your family, as relevant.