Raising awareness of schizophrenia

14 May 2007

Schizophrenia Awareness Week ~ 13 – 20 May 2007

Hunter New England Health is helping raise awareness of schizophrenia - a serious mental illness that is estimated to affect one in every 100 Australians.

Professor Vaughan Carr, Director Centre for Brain and Mental Health Research said schizophrenia is an illness that affects up to 1% of the population and dramatically alters a person’s thoughts and perceptions of the world.

“Symptoms may include hallucinations, such as hearing voices, and delusions, believing things that in reality are not true”.

“For example, a person may have false beliefs of persecution, such as thinking that others are plotting against them,” Professor Carr said.

“Even more disabling are certain cognitive deficits such as impaired attention and concentration, inflexibility in problem solving and subtle memory impairments that tend to be associated with loss of emotional expressiveness and social withdrawal.

“Of course, the behaviour associated with these symptoms may be confusing or threatening to others. It is important to remember, however, that the person experiencing these symptoms is often feeling quite frightened or confused themselves,” he said.

Most cases of Schizophrenia commence during late adolescence or early adulthood and for most it is a lifelong illness.

Being able to recognise early symptoms plays an extremely important role in early treatment and better outcomes.

Misunderstanding and negative stereotypes and attitudes surrounding the issue of mental illness – including schizophrenia – can result in stigma, isolation and even discrimination for those experiencing the illness and their families.

“Stigma can be a huge barrier to a person’s recovery and Schizophrenia Awareness Week is an ideal time to learn the facts about this illness and demystify it for the community so people can understand,” he said.

Members of the community wanting more information should contact the mental health services at their local Community Health Centre (listed under Hunter New England Health in the white pages) or the Schizophrenia Fellowship of NSW by telephoning 9879 2600 or visiting www.sfnsw.org.au. Research information can be obtained at www.schizophreniaresearch.org.au

Contact: Lauren Chiplin

Phone: 4921 4924