All over the world people are diagnosed with mental illnesses that leave them, often from the beginning of their lives, unable to fully function in a normal society. Many of these cases leave the diagnosed unable to take care of themselves, which puts that responsibility on others. So, do certain mental illnesses leave more stress on the shoulders of the ill or the ill person 's family and/or those responsible for taking care of them? Having a cousin my age with severe autism, I’ve seen firsthand the burden that a mental illness puts on parents and siblings. Other illnesses though, such as schizophrenia, aren’t in full effect at all times. This gives the diagnosed the ability to be semi-functional within society, some cases easier than other.
…show more content…
Due to schizophrenic’s tendency to be in denial about their illness, it can make it difficult for family members to take care of them. Simple tasks like taking their medications can become a difficult production because the schizophrenic may not believe they need the medicine and will refuse to take it. This puts themselves in danger as well because they are not getting the best possible care. Untreated schizophrenia is a very serious and dangerous condition and is increasingly dangerous the longer it is ignored. Untreated schizophrenics will continue to think their is no medical problem and will not comply with medication, and then can often be a chain reaction that eventually leads to an array of issues such as drug or alcohol problems, homelessness, unemployment, crime, and imprisonment (“Effects on families”). Other tasks like doctors visits and any kind of restriction of normal life put on them can easily become a problem if the diagnosed doesn 't believe that 's how it should be. Schizophrenia can cause people to believe someone or something is out to kill them. People diagnosed with the disease have been reported as thinking their friends are conspiring to poison them, think someone they know is spying on them or even trying to kill them. If an episode like this occurs severely enough, it can endanger both the diagnosed and the people around them. For example …show more content…
Many families find themselves being divided or split in how they cope with the burden of the disorder. Some people blame other people, things, or powers, while some people are shameful of their disorder or their family members disorder. The uncertainty of how schizophrenia is caused leads to increased frustration about the disorder (Helping a person with schizophrenia). I can only imagine how many times a family of schizophrenic as well as the diagnosed themselves think “Why me?” It is often difficult to cope with the dramatic negative change in someone you have been around your whole life. This change can be especially difficult for a sibling, specifically one close to the same age as their diagnosed sibling. Silver Water clearly illuminates this issue, Violet looked up to her older sister all through their early lives. Violet talks about how she was such an exceptional singer and how she was the most beautiful girl in the school. Before she knew it, Roses behavior became very bizarre, she had a psychotic breakdown and from then on she was in and out of hospitals and therapy sessions and their lives were never the same. Changes like this in someone who you know so well can be both shocking and
Due to schizophrenic’s tendency to be in denial about their illness, it can make it difficult for family members to take care of them. Simple tasks like taking their medications can become a difficult production because the schizophrenic may not believe they need the medicine and will refuse to take it. This puts themselves in danger as well because they are not getting the best possible care. Untreated schizophrenia is a very serious and dangerous condition and is increasingly dangerous the longer it is ignored. Untreated schizophrenics will continue to think their is no medical problem and will not comply with medication, and then can often be a chain reaction that eventually leads to an array of issues such as drug or alcohol problems, homelessness, unemployment, crime, and imprisonment (“Effects on families”). Other tasks like doctors visits and any kind of restriction of normal life put on them can easily become a problem if the diagnosed doesn 't believe that 's how it should be. Schizophrenia can cause people to believe someone or something is out to kill them. People diagnosed with the disease have been reported as thinking their friends are conspiring to poison them, think someone they know is spying on them or even trying to kill them. If an episode like this occurs severely enough, it can endanger both the diagnosed and the people around them. For example …show more content…
Many families find themselves being divided or split in how they cope with the burden of the disorder. Some people blame other people, things, or powers, while some people are shameful of their disorder or their family members disorder. The uncertainty of how schizophrenia is caused leads to increased frustration about the disorder (Helping a person with schizophrenia). I can only imagine how many times a family of schizophrenic as well as the diagnosed themselves think “Why me?” It is often difficult to cope with the dramatic negative change in someone you have been around your whole life. This change can be especially difficult for a sibling, specifically one close to the same age as their diagnosed sibling. Silver Water clearly illuminates this issue, Violet looked up to her older sister all through their early lives. Violet talks about how she was such an exceptional singer and how she was the most beautiful girl in the school. Before she knew it, Roses behavior became very bizarre, she had a psychotic breakdown and from then on she was in and out of hospitals and therapy sessions and their lives were never the same. Changes like this in someone who you know so well can be both shocking and