Six out of ten young people suffering from schizophrenia “recover socially” in two years thanks to early intervention, compared to 15% following a traditional course. It is on this point that the Positive Minders association, which brings together caregivers and patients and has been working since 2004 to raise awareness about this disease, has chosen to insist this year.
Because, if it affects 1 person out of 100 in France, schizophrenia remains an unknown disease, sometimes of the patients themselves.
Thus, about a third of people with schizophrenia do not benefit from the medical follow-up which could considerably improve their suffering and their existence.
Indeed, “schizophrenia is characterized by manifestations qualified as strange (auditory and visual hallucinations, delusions, incoherent remarks), but also by symptoms such as depression, apathy and cognitive disorders (memory disorders , motor skills and attention)”, recalls the association.
The impact on daily life is significant, and very often leads to withdrawal and social disintegration. Until the desire to end it: 40% of those affected attempt suicide, 10% succeed.
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Genetic and environmental factors
We therefore understand the urgency of early identification. But what are the signs to know? And how to spot them? First of all, age matters. The first signs of the disease most often appear between the ages of 15 and 25, under the combined effect of predisposing genetic factors and environmental factors (repeated stress, emotional life events, consumption of cannabis, alcohol, trauma ).
Thus, a young person under the age of 25 may need help if, over several weeks, you perceive at least one significant change concerning:
- His ability to concentrate;
- His character ;
- They are moral;
- His sleep (he lives at night);
- His social ties (he isolates himself).
And/or at least one unusual sign:
- He develops TOCs or strange rituals;
- He has suicidal thoughts;
- He consumes substances (drugs, alcohol, cannabis, etc.).
“Encourage him to see a GP,” advises Positive Minders. Which will look for other elements that can lead to psychosis. And will refer the young person to a specialist for early detection.
It “aims to maintain social ties, reduce cognitive impairment and learn to manage the fallout of the disease through personalized follow-up”.
A follow-up is necessary, insists the association, which warns of the perverse effects of the “freedom of speech” on social networks concerning mental health issues.
If the “de-stigmatization” and the “uninhibited discourse around psychiatric illnesses (depression, attention disorders, autism, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia)” produce positive effects, they also raise questions: “We can fear a phenomenon of ” unhealthy attraction “maintained with thousands of young people who are already psychologically vulnerable”, insist mental health professionals. They are particularly concerned about “content that encourages young people to self-diagnose and self-medicate. »
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