The Reality Of Having Schizophrenia And Working
For some people with schizophrenia, obtaining and holding a job can be difficult, particularly when symptoms are active. However, there are many people with schizophrenia who flourish at work and have fulfilling careers. Seeking treatment often makes it easier to maintain employment, and a mental health professional may also help you request accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or determine whether you qualify for disability benefits.
Schizophrenia and working
Discrimination, stigma, symptoms, and unsupportive working environments can all contribute to difficulties finding employment. However, many people with schizophrenia can and do work, and studies show that those who work tend to be less likely to experience symptom relapse.
Schizophrenia symptoms
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that usually causes changes in the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Schizophrenia can cause hallucinations, delusions, challenges with movement and speech, and cognitive impairment. Because people with schizophrenia may seem distressed, erratic, or out of touch with reality when symptoms are present, maintaining a job, attending school, and completing other everyday activities can be difficult. However, some people only experience one psychotic episode and go on to live their lives symptom-free afterward. Others can manage symptoms with doctor-prescribed medication.
People with schizophrenia may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Paranoia
- Irritability
- Withdrawal from friends and family
- Monotone voice
- Struggles with attention, motivation, and memory
- Inappropriate or absent facial expressions
- Repetitive movements
- Disorientation
- Loss of interest in usual activities
- Fatigue
Barriers to work
Even though many people with schizophrenia want to work, research shows that less than a quarter of people with schizophrenia may have jobs. Below are several of the factors that could contribute to the barriers to employment for people with schizophrenia.
Stigma regarding the mental illness and its symptoms
Severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia, substance use disorder, or another mental illness, tends to be stigmatized in many cultures and may affect a person’s ability to gain employment. A lack of understanding of schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions often contributes to the stigma. Additionally, many people believe the misconception that those with schizophrenia are violent or aggressive. However, research shows that most people with schizophrenia will never engage in violent behavior. Instead, people with schizophrenia are usually more likely to be the targets of violent behavior.
Difficult-to-manage symptoms
Schizophrenia symptoms can be difficult to manage, especially in a professional environment. Someone experiencing hallucinations may struggle to stay focused and calm at work, for example. Other schizophrenia symptoms, like problems with focus and memory, can also make work-related tasks difficult. Medication can be a helpful tool in reducing or eliminating symptoms to make employment more feasible. Always consult your doctor or psychiatrist before starting, stopping, or changing the way you take medication.
Lack of a supportive work environment for people with schizophrenia
A recent study demonstrated that a negative work environment, which can involve stigma and discrimination, may significantly impact people who live with psychosis. People in this situation may avoid telling employers about their condition, leave a job after a short time, and experience increased work-related stress. Many people with schizophrenia manage their symptoms secretly, which can add to the stress and stigma of an unsupportive work environment.
Jobs for people with schizophrenia
If you have schizophrenia, you may be concerned about being able to hold down a job. Know that there are many career options available to you, and many people with schizophrenia succeed professionally. There isn’t necessarily one job that is best suited for people with schizophrenia. Like other people looking for a job, selecting an option that fits your background, interests, and schedule can be a helpful place to start. For people with schizophrenia, working a job with flexible hours could be beneficial to accommodate days when symptoms are more severe. Additionally, some people may prefer remote work if their symptoms are triggered by working with other people.
Some careers that may appeal to people with schizophrenia include the following:
- Data entry
- Library jobs
- Web development
- Lab technician
- Graphic design
- Freelance writing
People with schizophrenia can be successful in any field. The jobs mentioned above generally involve some flexibility and autonomy, which may be beneficial for people experiencing schizophrenia symptoms. On the other hand, some people with schizophrenia may prefer more labor-intensive jobs, like factory work or landscaping. The type of job that will work best for you tends to be highly personal, so think about your preferences and potentially try a few options to find the right fit.
In many cases, employers can make reasonable accommodations for people with mental health conditions per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additionally, some people with psychiatric disabilities qualify for social security benefits. These benefits can provide financial support, potentially taking the burden off individuals struggling to maintain employment. A social worker, mental health professional, or patient advocate can help you determine whether you qualify for these benefits.
Treatment options for mental health conditions like schizophrenia
Medication is usually the first line of treatment for people with schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications can reduce or potentially eliminate symptoms. Antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications may also be used to help with schizophrenia symptoms.
Therapy can also be an effective treatment for people with schizophrenia. Therapy is a mental health treatment that usually helps people learn new ways to improve their mental health and cope with general life stressors. The most common type of therapy used to help people with schizophrenia is typically cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), also known as talk therapy. With CBT, people living with schizophrenia can work with their therapist to learn how to manage difficult situations that may arise due to their symptoms.
Online therapy can be a beneficial option due to its convenience and flexibility. For example, someone with schizophrenia may find their symptoms are triggered when they are around other people. Being able to engage in therapy from the comfort of their home may mean they can avoid encountering other people in waiting rooms or on transportation. However, online therapy may not be appropriate for those experiencing acute psychosis. In-person support is usually recommended for acute symptoms.
Studies show that online therapy can be as effective as in-person therapy for treating mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, which can frequently co-occur with schizophrenia. Developing research aims to discover whether online therapy interventions can be an effective way to treat and monitor psychosis in people with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions.
Takeaway
What is the best lifestyle for working individuals with schizophrenia?
Those with a schizophrenia diagnosis can work in almost any field, but some may be better suited for particular environments than others. People diagnosed with the condition will likely do better in jobs that allow them to avoid stressful situations, but there is no indication that those with schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders cannot complete higher education, develop a wide range of employment skills, and obtain the knowledge necessary for most fields.
Those with schizophrenia often prefer jobs with a low-stress environment, flexible work schedules, and those that are well-suited to work-life balance. The type of employment a person feels most comfortable with often aligns with their schizophrenia treatment. Those who are further along in their recovery often develop coping skills that allow them to engage in a wide range of workplace environments.
What are the most common jobs for people with schizophrenia?
Those with schizophrenia tend to gravitate towards jobs that allow flexibility, self-supervision, and low risk of high-stress situations. Many people choose occupations that allow them to monitor their well-being and manage their mental disorder without worrying about some of the unique challenges that come with maintaining a career following a schizophrenia diagnosis.
Some jobs that those with schizophrenia might prefer include:
- Freelance or self-employed positions such as writing or graphic design specialist.
- Data entry
- Accounting and bookkeeping
- Software and website development
- Maintenance services
What is the best environment for mental health conditions like schizophrenia?
Many people with schizophrenia prefer low-stress, predictable environments. Previous studies suggested that high-stress situations are a significant trigger for psychotic episodes in those with a schizophrenia diagnosis. Many people with schizophrenia work closely with mental health professionals to learn how to recognize environmental triggers and avoid them or manage them using coping skills. As with many mental disorders that can be triggered by environmental stressors, such as bipolar disorder, patients often dedicate significant treatment time to learning management strategies. With adequate treatment and support, someone with schizophrenia can likely survive in almost any environment.
What jobs can you not do with schizophrenia?
With treatment and support, a person with schizophrenia can likely perform almost any job. However, many schizophrenia patients strive to find a balance between treatment rigor, their career, and quality of life. For some, setting treatment goals that allow them to function in high-stress positions, such as needing to perform emergency surgery, may not be worth the cost to their well-being. Others may have the opposite opinion and pursue treatment strategies that allow them to accomplish almost any job for which they are qualified.
How do schizophrenia and mental illness limit the ability to work?
Schizophrenia and other mental illnesses can significantly disrupt a person’s ability to complete daily tasks. Many people with psychotic spectrum disorders like schizophrenia work in low-stress environments with a high degree of self-supervision and flexibility. While many people with mental health concerns can find meaningful work, they often have difficulty staying organized, maintaining a consistent schedule, and completing high-stress tasks.
Some with schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders experience severe limitations due to their condition, such as requiring inpatient care or intense outpatient psychiatric services, which may prevent them from maintaining consistent employment. In some employment environments, they may be forced to overutilize sick leave or require accommodations beyond what is typical for the general population, which may impact their ability to work to the standards expected by their employer.
What is the number one treatment for schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia and other psychotic spectrum disorders are typically treated through a combination of antipsychotic medication and psychosocial interventions. Medications help reduce symptoms by directly moderating the disordered brain function that causes psychosis. Psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, coordinated specialty care, social skills training, and vocational services, allow those diagnosed with schizophrenia to learn how to navigate their symptoms and reduce their impact. Families and friends of those with schizophrenia often provide significant support and might help the person directly manage the impact of their symptoms.
What are the hallmark symptoms of schizophrenia?
The World Health Organization indicates that the following are the main symptoms of schizophrenia:
- Delusions. A delusion is a fixed, unusual belief or idea. It might be demonstrably untrue and challenging for a member of the general population to understand.
- Hallucinations. Auditory hallucinations - hearing things others cannot hear - are the most common, but visual hallucinations can also occur.
- Disorganized thinking. Disorganized thought processes often appear as jumbled or unintelligible speech.
- Disorganized behavior. The person might act in unpredictable or inappropriate ways.
- Negative symptoms. Negative symptoms refer to the absence of traits or abilities that are typically present. Extreme emotional restriction, social withdrawal, and loss of interest in preferred activities are all examples of negative symptoms.
The severity of schizophrenia symptoms can vary considerably from person to person, especially if a person is receiving mental health services to help manage them. Someone receiving treatment may display few symptoms or none at all.
Is childish behavior associated with schizophrenia?
According to the National Institute of Health, childish behavior isn’t an official symptom of schizophrenia. However, unusual and irrational behavior can occur, which might appear to some as childish. A person might demonstrate immature emotions or actions, although whether those behaviors qualify as childish will vary from person to person.
Can a person work with schizophrenia?
A person with schizophrenia can likely find meaningful employment, but they may face additional challenges compared to the general population. They might need to find work that allows extra flexibility and self-supervision or additional accommodations that may make hiring managers weary. Vocational education programs often help those with the condition learn additional skills to navigate the workplace. Such programs might also work directly with employers to find an individual placement in a work environment that is conducive to the well-being of those with schizophrenia.
Can you be successful with schizophrenia?
While measures of success will vary from person to person, someone with schizophrenia can likely achieve their professional goals with adequate treatment and support. Some with the condition define success as being able to help others with psychotic disorders, and some people with schizophrenia obtain master’s degrees in psychotherapy and social work specifically to help others. The National Alliance on Mental Illness indicates that, while schizophrenia can’t be cured, it can be effectively managed. In theory, a person with the condition could pursue any goal they desire, whether it be working quietly from home or becoming qualified to perform emergency surgery.
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