British Columbia Schizophrenia Society (BCSS)
drug reaction that goes beyond or is unrelated to the drug's therapeutic effect. Some side effects are tolerable, but some are so disturbing that the medication must be stopped. Less severe side effects include dry mouth, restlessness, stiffness, and constipation. More severe side effects include blurred vision, excess salivation, body tremors, nervousness, sleeplessness, tardive dyskinesia, and blood disorders.
Some drugs are available to control side effects. Learning to recognize side effects is important because they are sometimes confused with symptoms of the illness. A doctor, pharmacist, or mental health worker can explain the difference between symptoms of the illness and side effects due to medication.
Treatment Refers to therapy or remedies designed to cure a disease or relieve symptoms. In psychiatry, treatment is often a combination of medication, counselling (advice) and recommended activities. Together, these make up the patient's treatment plan.
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B.C. Mental Health Act
Get the Facts: THE MENTAL HEALTH ACT = THE RIGHT TO TREATMENT AND CARE
Due to a chemical imbalance that affects the brain, many people who become acutely ill with schizophrenia are unable to recognize their illness. That means they are unable to voluntarily exercise their right to available treatment -- because of the very nature of their disability. The British Columbia Mental Health Act is about the care and protection of our citizens who are victims of such illnesses.
Early treatment and stabilization on medication greatly improves the prognosis for people with schizophrenia. Many people can now, with timely and adequate treatment and support, live satisfactory lives in the community.
Involuntary hospitalization of people who are too ill to care for themselves should never be falsely equated with incarceration in the criminal justice system. To do so not only adds to outmoded stigma and prejudice about people with mental illness -- it also deprives them of their fundamental right to proper medical treatment and care. Unfortunately, such confusion is common. As a result, there are already far too many people with severe and chronic brain diseases such as schizophrenia who have "fallen through the cracks" of the system and are abandoned, because they are not well enough to seek treatment for themselves.
It is a scandal that people who are severely ill and for whom effective treatment is available are literally dying in our streets from neglect. Furthermore, suicide rates among this population are alarmingly high. For example, 50% of all people with schizophrenia will attempt to commit suicide --
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