May 1st marks the beginning of mental health awareness month. Never before have we in America seen such an acceptance of the realities of emotional pain and the healing that can come from reaching out for help. Still, amid anti-stigma campaigns focused on difficulties such as depression and anxiety, there is one area that often remains unacknowledged: the experiences of those living with psychosis and schizophrenia.
We can change this. What follows are five reasons that mental health awareness must include these experiences.
1. Psychosis and Schizophrenia Are Common.
While a diagnosis of schizophrenia only affects one in 100 people, the lifetime prevalence of experiences associated with psychosis may affect as many as 1 in 10 people (Beavan et al., 2011). Still, psychosis remains a topic that is not often talked about in our culture, leading many who are suffering from it to feel quite alone.
2. People Need to Know That There Is Hope.
Historically, conditions involving psychosis were seen as a sort of “kiss of death” diagnosis. Yet, with innovative treatments, research is finding that an overwhelming majority of people who experience psychosis in their lifetime recover. A meta-analysis of studies involving a total of 12,301 participants experiencing a first episode of psychosis found that 58 percent made a full recovery, with a greater proportion achieving remission each year (Lally et al., 2017).
3. Misunderstanding Is Dangerous.
Despite positive outcomes overall, a recent research study featuring a review of medical records found that schizophrenia was more frequently linked to suicide than any other mental health condition (Song et al., 2020). More recent onset of the illness is linked to a higher risk of suicide (Popovic et al., 2014). Clinicians hypothesize that this may be due to a loss of hope. Through education, we can dispel the dangerous myth that schizophrenia represents a hopeless situation and show that recovery is possible.
4. Acceptance Saves Lives.
Research shows that social isolation is a major risk factor for suicidal ideation in individuals living with schizophrenia (Bornheimer et al., 2020). By spreading awareness and moving toward acceptance, we may be able to overcome the unfortunate reality of isolation experienced by those with schizophrenia instead by embracing these individuals and the many strengths they have to share.
5. Early Identification of Psychosis Can Make All the Difference.
Early identification of psychosis has been shown to strongly improve outcomes (McGorry, 2015). In the case of schizophrenia, some research suggests that untreated psychosis can result in more grey matter being lost in the brain. Some experts believe intervention within the early years of psychosis to be just as critical and make just as big a difference as if treatment is delivered within the first 30 minutes of a stroke. By increasing awareness of psychosis, we may also enhance identification and intervention for a better quality of life and chances of recovery.
