The term schizophrenia means 'fractured mind' and refers to changes in mental function where thoughts and perceptions become disordered, for example, a break from reality. Schizophrenia has nothing to do with 'split personality'.
About 20 to 30 per cent of people with schizophrenia experience only a few brief episodes. For others, it is a chronic condition
Symptoms and characteristics
Common symptoms and characteristics of schizophrenia include:
- delusions—false beliefs of persecution, guilt, special mission, exalted birth, or being under outside control
- hallucinations—hearing voices, or seeing, feeling, tasting or smelling things
- thinking difficulties—lack of concentration, memory and ability to plan
- blunted emotions—a lack of or inappropriate emotions
- loss of motivation
- social withdrawal—a loss of social skills or fear of interacting with others.
The onset of the symptoms may develop rapidly over several weeks or slowly over months or years.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are various factors that would greatly assist people with schizophrenia to better manage their symptoms in the workplace. These include:
- reducing or eliminating tasks where the safety of self or others could be at risk such as driving a motor vehicle, operating complex machinery, or handling dangerous chemicals
- ensuring a gradual introduction to new or stressful situations under appropriate supervision
- allowing flexibility in the workplace, for example, leave for treatment and recovery purposes
- providing a supportive work environment.
There are adjustments and solutions for the following job requirements:
References
Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Mental Health Council Inc. & Kitchener, B., A. & Jorm, A., F. at ORYGEN Research Centre, University of Melbourne 2006, Mental Health First Aid in the Workplace—an e-learning course, Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Canberra.