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A thread on connection between Schizophrenia, Religion & False Prophecies
- Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking
- Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking
Most common symptom of Schizophrenia are Delusions.
These are false beliefs that are not based on reality. Example, you think that you're being harmed or harassed; you have exceptional ability or FAME; another person is in love with you; or a major catastrophe is about to occur.
These are false beliefs that are not based on reality. Example, you think that you're being harmed or harassed; you have exceptional ability or FAME; another person is in love with you; or a major catastrophe is about to occur.
Delusions occur in almost all patients with Schizophrenia. Other symptoms include Hallucinations which usually involve seeing or hearing things that DON’T EXIST.
There is scientific evidence that Patients with schizophrenia also exhibit RELIGIOUS delusions and hallucinations.
There is scientific evidence that Patients with schizophrenia also exhibit RELIGIOUS delusions and hallucinations.
For example many medical practitioners claim that some patients believe they are divine beings or prophets, that a God or Angel is talking to them, they are possessed by demons, etc.
A lot of Muslim patients with schizophrenia hallucinate about ghosts or angels talking to them. Which sometimes leads to them assuming infact strongly believing they are important & famous.
Many relate to stories of Them meeting Prophets.
Many relate to stories of Them meeting Prophets.
A lot of women particularly hallucinate of meeting ghosts, angels etc and therefore, in Pakistan they r considered to be possessed. I.e. A jinn being in control of her body & mind.
Whereas, men in extreme forms of schizophrenia assume that they have some divine order to follow.
Whereas, men in extreme forms of schizophrenia assume that they have some divine order to follow.
They often start claiming themselves to be a messiah or Prophet.
In Pakistan’s rural areas there is little to no awareness for such disorders. Therefore, people with such symptoms are taken to Peers & are often regarded as crazy / Pagal.
In Pakistan’s rural areas there is little to no awareness for such disorders. Therefore, people with such symptoms are taken to Peers & are often regarded as crazy / Pagal.
Now let’s come to the triggering factors. Most often the patient has had a stressful or emotional life event in the past.
Most common of which is a loss of loved one/ Breakups/ Divorces etc
Most common of which is a loss of loved one/ Breakups/ Divorces etc
Lessons to be learnt:
We need acceptance for mental health diseases in the society at Family level as well as at govt policy level.
People with symptoms of hallucinations & Delusions should be given proper Pyschiatric help.
We need acceptance for mental health diseases in the society at Family level as well as at govt policy level.
People with symptoms of hallucinations & Delusions should be given proper Pyschiatric help.
Medicines should be administered & medication for mental health disorders shouldn’t be considered a taboo. They are essential for people with such conditions just like insulin is essential for people with Diabetes.
Government should establish special Rehabilitation Centers for people suffering from such conditions so that they aren’t left at the mercy of the society which encourages their murder.
Proper psychiatric help shld be offered in Jails.
Proper psychiatric help shld be offered in Jails.
There’s evidence that Religion plays an important role in treatment of such patients. E.g Those who are involved in their church/mosque etc & r spiritual on a daily basis have reported fewer symptoms & a better quality of life but only while getting psychiatric treatment alongsid
Now I will share personal experience with 3 different people I have come across with schizophrenia.
1- A Friends Aunt
2- A Friends Brother
3- A Twitter Stalker
It would take me hours to write about all three however; the most important common denominator between all 3 was
1- A Friends Aunt
2- A Friends Brother
3- A Twitter Stalker
It would take me hours to write about all three however; the most important common denominator between all 3 was
that they all thought they were doing something really important to transform the world. 1 of them claimed to be Mahdi, 1 of them claimed to be working with Mahdi & 1 of them wrote a book on Mahdi.
The Aunt committed suicide, the stalker disappeared & the brother is in rehab.
The Aunt committed suicide, the stalker disappeared & the brother is in rehab.
Forgot to mention a Guard we had. Who left us because he thought his life was in danger. People from different embassies were after his life. He would come to us and say agencies have been coming after him & There would be no one on cctv
