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Miller, Marissa

Page history last edited by Sam Miltich 12 years, 11 months ago

Schizophrenia

 

Video of Jani Schofield, an 8 year girl with Childhood Schizophrenia. 

 

 

Schizophrenia. 

 

What is it?

 

Split personalities?  No.

 

Multiple personalities?  No. 

 

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that can affect how one thinks, feels, and acts. 

 

The facts:

 

Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the world’s population.  There are about 2.5 million people in the United States who have schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia occurs among men and women, but is it tends to be milder in women.  Onset usually begins in young adulthood, and will occasionally begin later in life, after age 45.  Although it is rare, schizophrenia does begin in childhood, after age 5.  It can be hard to distinguish between childhood schizophrenia and other developmental disorders, such as autism

 

There is no clinical test to diagnose schizophrenia.  It is diagnosed based on a person's symptoms the previous 1-2 months.  

 

Symptoms a person with schizophrenia might experience are delusions, hallucinations, lack of motivation, loss of interest of everyday activities, lack of expression or emotion, social withdrawal, and difficulty paying attention.  Schizophrenia is thought to be caused both by genetics and by one’s environment. 

 

Lifelong treatment is required for someone with schizophrenia.  Medications and therapy can help manage the disorder.  Hospitalization may be needed during times of crisis.  Medications used to manage schizophrenia can cause serious side effects.  Side effects include sleepiness, weight gain, feelings of restlessness, problems of movement, muscle spasms, and tremor.  

 

I’m going to be a teacher, what does this have to do with me???

 

In a 2011 study of special education teachers/rehabilitation providers, counselors, and general educators, general educators were found to have the lowest perceptions of people with mental disabilities (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder).  In working with individuals with mental disabilities, general educators reported having higher levels of anxiety and lower levels of receptivity compared to the other two subject groups.  The results may not be too surprising due to the fact the general educators are being compared to two groups of people who have more contact with people with disabilities.  I think that if we can eliminate the stigma that is associated with schizophrenia and other disorders, then perceptions would change for the better. 

 

 

 

Expert Voice: My name is Sam Miltich, I am twenty six years old. I live in northern Minnesota and I play music for my living.  I had my first psychotic break when I was twenty two years old. I am diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.  Though I am diagnosed as schizophrenic I try not to let that define my life or who I am.  I  still suffer symptoms, but I am not psychotic and consider myself to be in recovery.

 

 

Marissa's Biography: Miller Biography.pdf

 

References: References.docx 

 

Comments (27)

Joshua Voller said

at 6:16 pm on Apr 13, 2011

After doing a little research I found a few famous people who had schizophrenia. http://www.schizophrenia.com/famous.htm. If an individual can function with this disorder should parents push their children to get medicated?

Marissa said

at 6:35 pm on Apr 14, 2011

That's a good question. My instinct is to not medicate things that don't need to be medicated. But if they are diagnosed with it they are having symptoms and why wouldn't they want to manage it? I guess it's coming down to what you consider being able to "function".

Anyone else have thoughts on medicating?

Sam Miltich said

at 12:18 pm on Apr 16, 2011

I agree. Anti-psychotics are horrible. Sometimes that meds are worse than the illness. However if it is NECESSARY then you do what you have to do. You can't allow someone to kill themselves or someone else. However, that stuff is rare. For the record I hate my meds.

Marissa said

at 6:37 pm on Apr 14, 2011

Anyone surprised with the statistics? Are there more or less people that have schizophrenia than you thought?

Joe Lakeberg said

at 8:33 pm on Apr 14, 2011

I was unaware of how many people had schizophrenia. I have never met anyone that has it, and I was under the impression that it was more profound among teens...til now....

Katherine Buhr said

at 11:39 pm on Apr 14, 2011

I am looking forward to hearing from Sam. I am wondering, when was he diagnosed? What was his school experience like? As a future general educator, it is not about a stigma. I think if I would feel inadequate in terms of having the tools to work with some severe mental illnesses or disabilities.

Sam Miltich said

at 12:16 pm on Apr 16, 2011

I was twenty two when I was diagnosed. This is very typical for males. I am twenty six now. Though I was diagnosed at twenty I feel that my symptoms started to occur during high school. I have only a high school diploma. I am incapable of going to college. However I have no desire to either. Anyone is capable of helping people with this disability. It just takes compassion and care.

kevin.engel@... said

at 8:35 pm on Apr 15, 2011

Other than medication, what else can be done to help a schizophrenic child?

Sam Miltich said

at 12:18 pm on Apr 16, 2011

I do not know about children and how to approach that.

Jaime Goulet said

at 7:07 am on Apr 16, 2011

What can teachers do to better accommodate schizophrenic students? What would you suggest to a school to help teachers be less afraid and anxious in teaching schizophrenic students?

Sam Miltich said

at 12:19 pm on Apr 16, 2011

Don't be afraid of them. And do not make assumptions. Schizophrenia has nothing to do with whether you are a good person, bad person, smart, not smart. Treat them with the care and respect you would any student. And above all else, listen.

Abby Larson said

at 10:10 am on Apr 16, 2011

Hi Sam. Thanks for joining us. What would you like us future teachers to know about students with schizophrenia in middle or high school?

Sam Miltich said

at 12:21 pm on Apr 16, 2011

This is a serious disability. Cut them slack. It is hard to focus on school if you are psychotic. Try to relieve as much stress as possible. Stress causes relapse and symptoms. Just be kind, and no that there isn't a right way to do things. Find what works for the student and work with that.

David L Zuck said

at 11:31 am on Apr 16, 2011

Marissa, your report makes me think if there is not an additional level of formative assessment that we as teachers need to be formally doing. I am starting to feel like we do really need some upfront time with each individual student to better under them. How will I do this, I don't know.

Brenda Mattei said

at 11:44 am on Apr 16, 2011

Hi Sam- What was the worst part of having schizophrenia during your schooling years? After you were diagnosed, were you able to recognize the issues and if so, did that help you through the difficult times?

Sam Miltich said

at 12:24 pm on Apr 16, 2011

Brenda, I was unaware of the illness as a high schooler. The worst part was my inability to organize my life and accomplish school work. My social interactions were very difficult. I suffered severe lonliness and had thoughts of suiced frequently. At the time I knew I was messed up but didn't know why. However this was worse when I took a semester of community college. That was when I was twenty two, and I dropped out. School is far to stressful for me. Stress causes symptoms for me so I avoid it at all costs.

Dan Morrison said

at 3:33 pm on Apr 16, 2011

A couple of questions. First, what is the difference between paranoid schizophrenia and schizophrenia (if any)? Second, was the trouble you had in school due to problems with social interactions or just being around other people? If so, do you think doing on-line work would be more beneficial? I am sorry if these questions are showing my ignorance. I do know some people flourish in an on-line environment while others need people.

Sam Miltich said

at 8:31 pm on Apr 17, 2011

There are different types of schizophrenia. I don't know much about other types. Your question is a bit vague. I guess I just had a hard time maintaining relationships because I would always assume the person hated me. It is still a problem.

Anna O'Neil said

at 11:00 pm on Apr 19, 2011

Hi Sam, I know a couple people who have schizophrenia. I remember as a child my friends mom had it. When she had a psychotic episode (frequently) she was really angry and hostile verbally. Also paranoid. Perhaps she shared the sentiment that people hated her- it sounded like it. Do you have issues with hostility or anger when your psychotic? If so how does your family cope with it?

denise.larson@... said

at 5:05 pm on Apr 16, 2011

Sam, thank you so much for your story. I can't imagine going thru what you have. Since school is far too stressful, may I ask what your future plans are? Are you currently working? Or is that difficult to manage also? Do you find that you need a job where you will be out of the public eye to keep from being scrutinized?

Sam Miltich said

at 8:29 pm on Apr 17, 2011

I am a musician. I work mostly in Northern Minnesota. I make very little money, but my wife has a steady job working for the county. I lived with my parents before we met. I did tour the world playing music. I played Lincoln Center, Played in Tokyo, played in Germany and Amsterdam. I have played literally all over the United State and played in Canada as well. That life is too stressful I stick to weddings and bars in northern Minnesota now. I feel conflicted because sometimes I miss that life, but since it caused such bad episodes I don't miss it. My life is not a horror by any means, it is just very hard some days.

Hayley Lonnquist said

at 9:59 pm on Apr 19, 2011

I'm assuming you would consider this a disability... are people with schizophrenia able to collect on Disability?

Richard S. Russell said

at 12:03 am on Apr 17, 2011

One of the persistent quandaries in the field of medical ethics is what constitutes "informed consent" when dealing with a person with bipolar disorder. During the manic phase, when they're full of energy and creativity and enthusiasm, they don't want anything to do with a drug that will "level them out". Then, after swinging to the opposite pole, when they're horribly depressed, lethargic, dull, and sometimes suicidal, they're desperate for any kind of treatment, just make it stop! If you're this person's physician, which of her or his 2 opposing opinions do you believe truly constitutes "informed consent"? The world's smartest people still haven't figured this one out.

Sam Miltich said

at 8:35 pm on Apr 17, 2011

hard to say...I never want treatment myself. I have found my own ways of dealing with the illness. Medications have been bad to my health in many ways. I have nightmares nearly every night from seroquel, it has messed up my urinary tract, my hands and motor skills are slower, which is terrible for a musician. I don't quite know how to impress upon someone who has not taken anti-psychotic medications how difficult they are. As for bi-polar, I can not speak to that illness.

Lindsey Krawchuk said

at 10:09 am on Apr 18, 2011

Hi Sam! I took a college class on Abnormal Psychology that discussed the challenges for people with schizophrenia and one that was mentioned several times was the medication and awful side effects they can have. Have you looked in to any natural therapies (herbal remedies etc) or have you found that there isn't much out there beyond clinical meds?

Hayley Lonnquist said

at 9:56 pm on Apr 19, 2011

It seems like the 8-year-old girl just had a really good imagination. I wonder what the rest of the video showed?

Barbara Bridges said

at 9:39 am on Apr 21, 2011

Sam,
I can not tell you how powerful your testimony is for my students to hear. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and I wish you well with your music and the adjustment to living a quiet life.

Marissa,
Your launch was a real attention getter and speaks to our worst stereotypes. Excellent.
1. Research your topic. Use at least FIVE references 25 points
2. Synthesize your conclusions 25 points
3. Discussion. Respond to peers. 25 points
4. Guest 25 points

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