A new beginning
Miss XYZ is a 30 years old unmarried .She has studied till graduate .her problem started when she was 21 years old. when she was in the first year of her medical college. she was not showing interest in studies and was not a regular student.. Her behavior gradually started to change, she was very anxious and fearful. She tried to escape from home. She became very aggressive and her hygiene became poor. She was suspicious towards her siblings and parents and was hearing voices . They took her to a psychiatrist who prescribed medication and she has been on medication since then. After treatment her condition was good. She got admission in B.A did many courses and she started a private job but after six months she left the job because she had conflict with colleagues. After some time she did volunteer work but she also left that job because she couldn’t adjust there . Her second episode occurred five to six years ago she cut her hair and said because of dandruff she cut her hair she was also suspicious, her negative symptoms were prominent, she isolates herself didn’t discuss anything with parents .but after treatment she became better .her third episode occurred 3 four months ago when they were on vacation, since then she used to escape from home and most of the time walked on roads, her father took her home. She was paranoid towards her family and left home without informing her family. Once she also took a knife towards mother and said witch is sitting on her head, Her brother came and controlled her . After her condition , her father admitted her in AkU for four days . After being discharged from AKU She was very fearful that something bad would happen. She went to neighbors and tell them that something bad will be happened her talk was not relevant, her condition became more worse, they admitted her in KEH for treatment
The hospital was unfamiliar for her , a restricted environment . Her symptoms persisted and her anxiety sparked. Treatment included medications and day care, individual sessions and family psychoeducation . In daycare sessions she felt a very supportive environment and after some days she was very active and cooperative. She wanted to know about her illness with the support of the team. She knows that she can manage her illness and she is not alone.
She was discharged with a diagnosis of schizophrenia. She didn’t want to admit that she had schizophrenia but with therapy and daycare sessions and support she accepted she is with schizophrenia and she can manage it and can live normal and happy life.
Shecommitted to outpatient treatment . Outpatient treatment educated her about schizophrenia and helped her accept what she could and couldn’t change. Acceptance came easier for her when she learned that recovery is possible. Karwan e hayat , offered support groups where she knew she was not alone. She learned that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of, which was essential for her accepting it.She had a stellar support system, which also included her family and friends.
Treatment required a trusting relationship between her and the therapists, as it was a collaboration and teamwork. Treatment also required patience and stamina. Medications had negative side effects and the process for finding the one that was therapeutic was arduous. Cognitive therapy, such as counseling, entailed much practice and it was very trying.
Eventually, she found a medication that alleviated my symptoms. Coping skills learned from cognitive therapy helped manage symptoms, such as voices, radio signals and people conspiring against her . With cognitive therapy, she became accustomed to recognizing and dismissing the symptoms, and she later experienced a reduction in paranoia.
Treatment also included goal planning and community integration. Goal planning was person centered, in that it was based on her unique strengths and will. Goal planning helped her achieve a quality life. Community integration helped her integrate into society after isolation.
Support groups have been essential in her treatment. They have provided social integration and she has also learned a treasure trove of coping skills from other members of the group.
In addition to her treatment, she has found that a positive attitude makes the difference between discouragement and perseverance. She has been blessed with a great support system and she has found that exercise is important. Humor is great medicine and spirituality has given her much peace and strength as well. She later started reading books again . Another milestone was she started working on her goals .
People with mental illness and their therapists work incredibly hard to recover. One must persevere and never give up. Success is possible.