Schizophrenia Awareness Week May 21-27; 'Hope is Today's Reality'

(May 19, 2006) -- There is more hope today for people with schizophrenia than 20 or 30 years ago. That's due to better medications, more research, greater awareness and support. The National Schizophrenia Foundation is spreading this message of hope during the ninth annual Schizophrenia Awareness Week, May 21-27. This year's theme is appropriately "Hope is Today's Reality."

Affecting more than 2.5 million Americans, schizophrenia is a biologically based brain disease that seriously impairs a person's ability to think clearly and relate to others. When left untreated, someone with schizophrenia can have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary, and is often unresponsive and withdrawn. Although there is no known cause or cure, a majority of people with schizophrenia can lead a more "normal" life with the appropriate medication, therapy and support.

"Of course, there is no 'good' time to have schizophrenia, but if ever there was a time to be diagnosed, the time is now," said Joanne Verbanic, Founder of Schizophrenics Anonymous, a self-help support group for people with schizophrenia. "There is more hope now than ever before for recovery, because people can, and do, recover to their potential -- whatever that may be."

Schizophrenia Awareness Week honors the work of Dr. Philippe Pinel, a major figure in the early efforts to provide humane care and treatment for the mentally ill. Appointed chief physician at the men's "insane" asylum in Paris in the late 18th Century, Dr. Pinel was horrified to see the patients restrained to walls by chains. Although warned against it, Dr. Pinel took a bold and unprecedented move to remove the chains from the patients.

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"The general public needs to understand that people with schizophrenia can recover to lead productive and fulfilling lives," said Eric Hufnagel, President & CEO, National Schizophrenia Foundation. "By having more hope, we can only reduce the painful and unnecessary stigma that prevents people with schizophrenia from recovery. Let's continue the work that Dr. Pinel started more than 200 years ago."

The National Schizophrenia Foundation (NSF) is a not-for-profit organization that educates the public about schizophrenia, and administers the Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA) self-help network. SA is a network of 165 self-help groups run for and by persons with schizophrenia and related disorders.

Source: National Schizophrenia Foundation Press Release

Last updated: 05/06

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