Qus.1- What made you interested in scizophrenia?
Ans - I had a friend when I was a teenager who had autism and schizophrenia. I loved him dearly and spent many hours with him. I often wondered how the world looked to him, and how his experience differed from mine.

Qus.2- At what stage in your life did you realise your interest in
this illness?
Ans - I became interested in this illness quite early on, as a teenager. I spent a great deal of time studying these topics rather than my school subjects in high school and college!

Qus.3 - Do you think it is possible for people afflicted by this disease to lead a fruitful fulfilling life?
Ans - Yes. Without any doubt. Schizophrenia is different from person to person. Some have only mild forms of the illness, some more severe, and this must be taken seriously. For each person, the plan for the future must be individualized.

Qus.4 - What does the latest Research say on the cause of this condition?
Ans - Research is advancing very quickly now because of improvements in imaging, such as better MRI's. New studies point to a developmental disorder that starts very, very early, well before birth. It is most definitely not due to bad treatment or poor moral character. Several genes have been linked to the condition.If brain cells do not develop or anchor properly in the very early, first stages of life, they will not function properly later on. They may send messages to the wrong brain cells, or send too many messages, or not enough. Many illnesses start early in life and only become obvious later, so that is not unusual.Every symptom of schizophrenia can be connected to a part of the brain receiving incorrect ''messages'' from other parts of the brain now. It can even be seen on an MRI.

Qus.5 - In which situation is hospitalisation reccommended?
Ans - Hospitalization is needed if the person is endangered without such care. A severely ill person may not be able to eat, toilet or dress. He or she may mistakenly believe that suicide is necessary, or that no harm will come even during daring acts. He or she may even try to defend self or family against imagined dangers. Arguing with a person when they are so convinced only makes them more upset...it does no good to try to convince them their fears are not real. For most people, medication will control symptoms, and they will live quite contendedly at home...as long as the family and care givers are educated and knowledgeable. It also takes some tolerance and acceptance to live with a person with schizophrenia. Knowledge is our best weapon and our most powerful tool. But bit of a sense of humor helps too. We simply accept some of the quirks and unusual behavior as part of our loved one's uniqueness. We become less concerned about the little details of daily life. We focus on what is really important.

Qus.6 - Is the risk of suicide greater in people with schizophrenia?
Ans - Yes, it is greater by a very, very marked degree. One must do everything to keep people with schizophrenia safe.Suicide can come as a sudden unexpected impulse, quite out of the blue. For others, it is clearly linked with depression and sadness. Often, starting treatment is a sad time as the person finally realizes they have a serious illness. Family and friends must be especially watchful at
that time.

Qus.7 - What is the role of support groups in schizophrenia recovery?
Ans - Well, I can sarcastically, or quite angrily and ironically, say that I would love to find out from practical experience! In truth schizophrenics are often given very, very little formal support and help in my country. Often it is left to family and friends, who may feel quite overwhelmed and confused. We are great at giving people medicines, but not at helping them take it or see hope for the future. NAMI - the National Alliance for the Mentally ill, offers Consumer Groups for schizophrenics here, and Family-to-Family classes for family and friends. Indian organizations could link up with NAMI and start similar programs around the country.

Qus.8 - What do feel the future holds for people with scizophrenia worldwide?
Ans - I feel it will continue to improve. Medications are the cornerstone of recovery, and medications have improved vastly in the past few years...but still we need special new medicines for those not helped by existing medicines. We always can develop improved medicines as well.We need much more support and education as well. We need health insurance to offer far more generous payment for mental health treatment, and to cover counseling...medicine is only the beginning. The counseling must be taylored to the abilities of the schizophrenic person...a traditional style psychotherapy is not at all correct or helpful. In addition, many American schizophrenics suffer chiefly from poverty, which may seem strange in such a rich country. Poor nutrition, poor care of physical health, inconsistent care...these are common in America. We must fight for improvement in these areas. I think these problems of financial burden are often more family-related in India; the family itself needs financial assistance to help their family member.

Qus.9 - Why is there so much lack of understanding about this condition?
I think people still consider schizophrenia to be a ''mental illness'' or ''insanity''. It most emphatically is not - it is a brain disease that injures brain cells so they do not function as needed. It is just as much a medical condition as diabetes or asthma.Perhaps we are innately confused at the appearance of a person who seems so intelligent, yet voices strange ideas. Or...perhaps we have watched too many horror movies with the ''madman'' who runs about laughing and chasing people. Really, Hollywood has done a terrible disservice to people with these disorders.

Qus.10 - What role do you envision for the state in treatment of schizophrenia?
Ans - I hope that the state will establish Mental Health Courts where experts on this disorder review each case that comes into the court system and recommends the least restrictive but safest option for people in crisis. Ordinary judges do not have the skill or experience to make such judgements. These days, many schizophrenics who are homeless in America come into contact with the courts when they are arrested for minor offenses such as wandering on to private property. I do not view this as bad. It is an opportunity to start treatment and more appropriate care, but should not be used for punishment. I feel it is wrong to jail schizophrenics in most all cases. Their arrests are generally only a result of their untreated illness. They cannot defend themselves in the rough prison environment, and may not receive appropriate medical care or accomodations for their special needs.I hope that the state will mandate equal health insurance coverage for these conditions, on par with coverage for other ailments. I hope that they will mandate that health insurance companies cannot turn down applicants with this disorder. And I hope the coverage will be expanded to include long term outpatient services where needed, and indeed, whatever services are needed, given the person's level of function and severity of illness.I hope that the state will form MORE Outreach Teams on the local government level, who walk the streets and look for the most neglected homeless schizophrenics, and try to protect them from danger.I hope the state will require pharmaceutical companies to publicize medicine problems and research more directly, and to take a far more active and responsive role in improving medicines, both before and after they are approved for sale. There is so little support for consumers once they start taking these medicines. I hope the state will overhaul its drug approval requirements, so tests are useful and to the point, and the results are widely known.I hope that the NIMH, the National Institute of Mental Health, will devote more of its budget to study and research on schizophrenia.Finally, I hope that each person in every country of the world will become more tolerant, more educated, and more loving toward people with schizophrenia and other conditions like it.Thank you for giving me an opportunity to share my ideas with you all.