Mental illness: violence, hereditary and incurable illness… understand everything about schizophrenia

Maladie mentale : le vrai/faux de la schizophrénie

La schizophrénie est la maladie de tous les préjugés. Des idées fausses qui contribuent au retard dans la prise en charge et à l’exclusion sociale des personnes touchées. Voici un vrai/faux pour comprendre la maladie.

Dr Sylvain Leignier, psychiatrist at the Alpes-Isère Hospital Center (CHAI) and Schizophrenia expert center (FondaMental foundation) plays the game of TRUE/FALSE, on the occasion of the Schizophrenia Days, from March 16 to 23, 2024 .

Schizophrenia is a personality disorder. FALSE.

Dr Sylvain Leignier: This stereotype is conveyed by novels and cinema, like the film "Psychose" by Alfred Hitchcock. No, schizophrenia is not a personality disorder in the sense of split personality. It’s a distinct disease that does not fit this description, and tends to progress in phases.

Schizophrenia is a rare disease. FALSE.

Around 1% of the population is affected by this disease in France, or around 670,000 people. It is thought that only two thirds of those affected are diagnosed. Schizophrenia is considered relatively common, because it exceeds the prevalence threshold defining rare diseases, which is 1 person per 2000.

Schizophrenia is a hereditary disease. True and false.

Inherited genetic factors are among the risk factors for schizophrenia, but they are not the only ones. They must often be accompanied by other factors to contribute to the development of the disease.

Schizophrenia is an incurable illness. TRUE and FALSE

Although a cure is not possible, "recovery” is a realistic perspective, that is to say the possibility of living with persistent symptoms or a certain vulnerability but while having a very good quality of life. We aim to reduce disability, increase preserved skills and acquire new skills. It’s about overcoming difficulties and leading an interesting personal and social life, and doing so in a dignified manner.

People with schizophrenia can control their symptoms without medication. TRUE and FALSE.

Antipsychotic treatments are one of the pillars of drug treatment. But available medications act primarily on the positive symptoms of schizophrenia (delusions and hallucinations), while they have less effect on disorganization and negative symptoms (lack of emotional, behavioral and emotional expression). motivation). They also do not treat the cognitive disorders present in two thirds of people.

Schizophrenia is often accompanied by other comorbidities, such as sleep problems, anxiety, addiction or even obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) . In these cases, in addition to antipsychotic treatments, melatonin can be used to improve the quality and duration of sleep and antidepressants in cases of anxiety or depressive disorders.

Non-drug approaches can be combined; cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT), for example. They aim in particular to modify dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors associated with the disease. This can improve negative and positive symptoms, and help develop people's skills to cope with stress and live with some resistant symptoms. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can act on hallucinations. Changes in habits are also beneficial (quality of sleep, reduction of stress and improvement of emotional and communication skills, physical activity, social relationships, leisure activities, minimally processed diet and limiting sugar consumption).< /p> People with schizophrenia are violent and unpredictable. FALSE.

Studies show that there are no more acts of violence committed by people with schizophrenia than in the general population. On the other hand, and this is little known, people suffering from schizophrenia are much more often victims of acts of violence. The stigma and self-stigma, financial insecurity and social isolation often associated with psychological disorders, as well as the lack of support and networks for these people makes them even more vulnerable and less able to cope. assert their rights, request and receive the help they need.

People suffering from schizophrenia cannot lead a “normal”, social and professional life. FALSE.

People suffering from schizophrenia can integrate perfectly into society. Schizophrenia is not a sentence to a declining life. It is not a question of denying the difficulties, but of defending the possibility of living with the symptoms, or even alleviating them, and of building a fulfilling and satisfying life. Although stigma persists and certain barriers (access to leisure, employment) remain, many people with schizophrenia manage to lead an active life in society. In the absence of precise figures in France, studies carried out in other countries estimate that only 20% of them work.