Schizophrenia

Hi, I am looking for statistics on schizophrenia prognosis. I was under the impression that a person who takes the medication and does not have a re-occurence in over 4 years is likely not to have a re-occurrence at all. But one doctor stated re-occurrence is 15% likely and 50% likely under stress. Is this correct?

That sounds right to me. I have not been hospitalized since 2002 but have come close to relapsing a couple of times when I did not take the medication and/or when I was under extreme stress.

Carolyn

Hello,

The idea that someone who is stable for four years won't have a recurrence is misleading, particularly if he or she goes off the meds. 80 percent of those who discontinue drug treatment relapse within a year. This happened to me within three months of the drug holiday. I was stable for four years so didn't think I was sick, and so was tempted to stop taking the meds.

Ultimately, the goal in life-for someone living with schizophrenia, and indeed, for everyone, whether diagnosed or not-is to be able to handle the trials that come our way. An easy life without challenges isn't possible. Knowing that, we can choose to stay on our medications for long-term stability.

The prognosis is good for most people diagnosed with schizophrenia. I'm not sure whether the doctor's statistics are accurate, but the reality is, stress can cause, or can exacerbate, symptoms, even in someone who has been stable for four years. This was the case for me. I had stress at work and shouldn't have discontinued the meds, because the drug holiday worsened my ability to cope with the stress.

Best,
Chris