A sudden feeling that people are whispering secrets or laughing at a person could signal the start of a mental health issue, but the person experiencing it may try to contain their feelings. They could realize their paranoia is unfounded, but the continuing belief something is wrong in their life could build up over time. Being overwhelmed by voices in their head could signify they will have continuing mental health issues.
Schizophrenia has long been a mental health issue that has plagued families, and many of them have hidden it. Rather than seeking a cure for the person, they have locked them away from the world. Some have been lucky enough to be locked in institutions where they can receive medication and help, but others were kept at home where nothing was done. That is beginning to change as medications become more effective and information on effective treatment spreads throughout the modern world.
Mental health issues that are a permanent part of a person can often be treated with the right medications, and some of them are further lessened with counselling as well as alternative therapies for stress. Learning how to deal with the issue is easier today, but getting families past the stigma of a disease can be part of what keeps a person from seeking treatment. Denial is often one of the first reactions, and embarrassment is another. These alone can keep the family from steering a loved one into a treatment program that will help them cope with their disease.
Any person’s reality is subjective to how they interpret the world around them, but a disease like schizophrenia can substantially alter their perceptions. The voices they hear and the things they see may not be real to others, but their view is often that they are the true reality. Helping them cope with medicines and counselling can make their life better, but the disease must first be acknowledged by the patient and their loved ones for treatment to be effective.
