Dear Dr. Guterson: I have a friend who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. I’m so concerned and scared. I’m wondering if she’ll ever get better.
A: You are certainly a very good friend indeed. How heart breaking it is to observe someone as their life begins to fall apart.
First, always question the diagnosis. For example, I have seen many a hospital patient who became psychotic due to marijuana use or other drugs - and over time, the vast majority of them come out of it. Issues like oxygen deprivation and urinary tract infections can induce delusional thinking - which will go away with correct treatment.
Next, a physician’s work is to do his or her utmost to help those who are suffering. A physician cannot and should not predict the future. For example, a physician should never say: “based on your condition and diagnose, you have four months to live.”
I know there are some people who say they want to know the future so they can gauge how to live now, but no one knows the future. Only G-d knows. All sorts of things, unexpected things, can happen and do happen that can change the course of time.
The famous movies “A Beautiful Mind” and “Shine” depicted brilliant persons who developed schizophrenia and did not return to their optimal level of functioning. This is usually the case with schizophrenia. Medications can certainly help tremendously, reducing the intensity of hallucinations and delusions and lack of self care. As can a calm and loving environment.
What I have most found with people who have schizophrenia is a refreshing ability to love others and an open mind to spirituality.
Every person is a blessing and we cannot understand why some have more difficult journeys than others.
Your friend is lucky to have you, and you are lucky to have her. Stay by her side, as I’m sure you will, and your own life will continue to be a blessing.
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"Ramblings on the Psych Ward"
“They’re coming to take me away - ha-ha, hee-hee, ho-ho - to the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time!” (song written in 1966) Thankfully, times are changing. We don’t laugh about those who are struggling mentally and emotionally. We don’t call psychiatric institutions ‘funny farms’ anymore. Thankfully , times are changing. We have come to a better understanding of psychiatric conditions. We now know that there may well be a medical basis for particular mental difficulties. It’s there, in the DNA! Thankfully, times are changing. The stigma surrounding going to a mental health professional has diminished. People are more willing to be vulnerable - which is a strength. And a step toward developing healthy resilience. And I hope that times will continue to change. That we can keep our eyes open and see the value of every single person. And that we can become more connected to our soul as essential for a healthy and meaningful life.
Upon my arrival in Israel last week, I found myself waiting in line at passport control. And what a line it was! By my estimation, about 250 people were in front of me. At the slow rate things were moving (there was only one person working there that day due to a strike), I figured it would take a couple hours. Now, virtually everyone in line was grumbling. And oh so tired after a ten hour flight. I tried to control myself, tried to use the time wisely with reading, but admittedly I was grumbling too. Why? I talk a lot about not letting external things get under our skin, that we have the ultimate freedom to choose our reaction to those things that come our way. Still, I grumbled (to myself). And then something happened. Out of nowhere, an airport worker comes over to me, asks for my passport, and checks me through ahead of everyone else. I said to her : “how about these people in front of me?” And she looked at me sternly and said “I know what I’m doing.” At that point, I decided it best to keep my mouth shut. But the whole thing was strange, unpredictable, so seemingly random. Who can explain?