I have an acquaintance that works in my industry who many believe is paranoid schizophrenic. He tells delusional tales about how a rap video he recorded on his phone was leaked and now the Toronto Jewish mob and Illumnati are after him, that his mother is trying to commit him to a psych ward and ultimately kill him, and some other far fetched conspiracy theories. Because of his paranoia surrounding treatment facilities, he won't listen to people who urge him to seek counsel.
It's not surprising there is no objective test for schizophrenia. Tough disease to battle because whether he is or isn't, the experiences certainly feel real to him, how can others not involved tell him he is wrong?
Anyway, enjoyed your post and videos and followed, look forward to more in the future
Thanks for sharing, daut44. I recommend avoiding the use of the word 'disease' when discussing schizophrenia. There is no evidence to support the view that schizophrenia is a disease. Even the Chair of the DSM-IV Task Force, Allen Frances, admits that schizophrenia is not a disease (Frances, 2014).
I make it clear in Part 1 of my series that despite the fact that there is no evidence supporting the construct validity of schizophrenia, that does not mean that experiences such as delusions, hallucinations, etc. are not real. People do experience these things and if they desire support, there are ways to help them.
Frances, A. (2014). Saving normal: An insider's revolt against out-of-control psychiatric diagnosis, DSM-5, big pharma and the medicalization of ordinary life. New York: William Morrow.
I am sorry to hear that. However, if you have watched Part 1 in my series, you will know that there are no objective laboratory tests to distinguish a 'normal' individual from an individual with schizophrenia. Thus, the belief that schizophrenia is an 'illness' is just not supported by the evidence. This does not mean, however, that people don't have disturbing experiences such as hallucinations, delusions, etc. But it is not valid or useful to label such people 'schizophrenic'.
I have an acquaintance that works in my industry who many believe is paranoid schizophrenic. He tells delusional tales about how a rap video he recorded on his phone was leaked and now the Toronto Jewish mob and Illumnati are after him, that his mother is trying to commit him to a psych ward and ultimately kill him, and some other far fetched conspiracy theories. Because of his paranoia surrounding treatment facilities, he won't listen to people who urge him to seek counsel.
It's not surprising there is no objective test for schizophrenia. Tough disease to battle because whether he is or isn't, the experiences certainly feel real to him, how can others not involved tell him he is wrong?
Anyway, enjoyed your post and videos and followed, look forward to more in the future
Thanks for sharing, daut44. I recommend avoiding the use of the word 'disease' when discussing schizophrenia. There is no evidence to support the view that schizophrenia is a disease. Even the Chair of the DSM-IV Task Force, Allen Frances, admits that schizophrenia is not a disease (Frances, 2014).
I make it clear in Part 1 of my series that despite the fact that there is no evidence supporting the construct validity of schizophrenia, that does not mean that experiences such as delusions, hallucinations, etc. are not real. People do experience these things and if they desire support, there are ways to help them.
Frances, A. (2014). Saving normal: An insider's revolt against out-of-control psychiatric diagnosis, DSM-5, big pharma and the medicalization of ordinary life. New York: William Morrow.
Schizophrenia is a terrible illness. I personally know someone who has it and it has devastated her life.
I am sorry to hear that. However, if you have watched Part 1 in my series, you will know that there are no objective laboratory tests to distinguish a 'normal' individual from an individual with schizophrenia. Thus, the belief that schizophrenia is an 'illness' is just not supported by the evidence. This does not mean, however, that people don't have disturbing experiences such as hallucinations, delusions, etc. But it is not valid or useful to label such people 'schizophrenic'.