Question on mental health care and healing: Is there any information you can give me that might enrich or improve the quality of life for the schizophrenic? (Personal details of this question have been deleted to protect the privacy of the writer but the devastating symptoms of schizophrenia that her close relative experienced included hallucinations and that the quality of life for this individual had deteriorated so that the writer felt very helpless in assisting them.)
Healing Facilitation Response: Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder. I must preface what I have to say about the subject by emphasizing that I am a spiritual healing facilitator, not a medical doctor.
I am providing medical information here from recognized sources but some of what I believe about schizophrenia will part ways drastically with the medical profession's view of this disorder and nothing I say here is to be construed as replacing any medical attention that may be needed.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia: The array of symptoms, while wide ranging, frequently includes delusions and hallucinations:
No single symptom is definitive for diagnosis; rather, the diagnosis encompasses a pattern of signs and symptoms, in conjunction with impaired occupational or social functioning
(Source: DSM-IV -available for purchase on Amazon.com Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR).
This progressive and creative-thinking professional explained her tecnhiqe by using a chair in the room where we were speaking. She pointed to the chair and said that while she and I both considered that a chair, the schizophrenic might be equally convinced it is a dog. So she tells them that they may believe what they believe but if 20 people believe something else, then in order to function in the world, they have to suspend their belief in public.
Of course, the goal of this and other mainstream medical therapists is to help the schizophrenic eventually see the chair, like everyone else but she found a way to honor their current reality and, at the same time, give them a reason to shift their behavior so that they could function in the outside world while continuing treatment.
Be sure you read this! The above paragraph was from a conversation with a recognized expert but it is NOT to be construed as advice on the treatment of a complex mental disorder like schizophrenia. Give the utmost attention to finding a healthcare professional and mental health professional that meets your specific needs and if this information contradicts theirs in any way, stick with the advice of the person you entrust with your mental health.
Recommended Mental Health Resource on Schizophrenia: There is an excellent site with a wealth of information on the subject of schizophrenia. They have an early screening test for schizophrenia there and also, discussion forums and chatrooms for those needing the support of others, or other families, dealing with schizophrenia.
This site has a tremendous array of information on schizophrenia including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and related disorders. Helpful information if you suspect that someone you love may be schizophrenic and uplifing success stories. Visit visit schizophrenia.com for more information
How I approach mental health challenges, from a spiritual perspective
ph Levels Check Suggested: One bit of practical health care advice I could give, which may be in line with at least the opinion of some medical doctors, would be to check this person's ph levels. An over-acid ph can cause a host of problems and could conceivably make a mental challenge worse.
ph strips for testing ph levels are readily available at health food stores and some drug stores.
Balancing the ph can be managed by increasing alkaline rich foods (fruits, nuts, vegetables) and reducing intake of acid-producing foods (meat, fish, poultry, eggs). Baking Soda is sometimes suggested, to help improve acidity levels in the blood.
I believe science will eventually prove that balancing the ph levels could be an important first course of action in any mental disorder. I believe one reason this is true is that the over-acid body is a tense body. A tense body is a body in a state of stress. Relaxing that tension would have to be viewed by any sane person as a good thing in cases of mental disorder, as well as physical disease, I believe.
Again, this health care suggestion is not to be construed as taking the place of any needed medical attention.
What is acidosis? Although the simple definition of acidosis is having excess acid in the body fluids, there are different types of acidosis, such as metabolic acidosis (symptoms can include confusion, lack of energy and shortness of breath) and the far more serious form, lactic acidosis which can be fatal.
(symptoms of lactic acidosis may be subtle at first but eventually can include nausea, vomiting and other symptoms.)
Other forms of acidosis include diabetic acidosis and respiratory acidosis.
Medical diagnosis is needed to determine the type of acidosis a person may have, once it manifests chronically and causes a health concern. A medical test called Chem-20 can usually confirm acidosis although other tests may be needed to track down the cause.
Everyone's ph levels fluctuate during the day, depending on food choices, prescription or recreational drugs used, dehydration, etc. but a chronic acid ph level becomes dangerous over time.
Health Care Disclaimer: Schizophrenia is a dangerous mental health condition and anyone who believes they may be schizophrenic should seek the proper mental health counsel. Reducing symptoms of schizophrenia often requires medication and, sometimes, in-patient therapy.
The information on schizophrenia that is contained in this alternative health care and spiritual healing article does not replace mental health advice from your chosen mental health care professional. Any action taken based on the contents found in this or any educational health information on this page is at the sole discretion of the reader. Please consult with your chosen mental health care specialist whenever dealing with, or if you suspect, schizophrenia.