Schizophrenia simulator

[Day Tripper]

Apparently doctors and nurses in a hospital in my area have experienced a schizophrenia simulator that was brought in by a drug company that sells drugs for schizophrenia.

The doctors and nurses said it was eye opening and creates a new empathy for schizophrenic patients. There wasn't a lot of detail and it looks like it shows them what severe psychotic episodes are like and left out more mild ones.

Personally, any sort of empathy, especially from the healthcare community, into any disorder is something I think is good.

Here's the article.

[Bellatrix]

This was interesting. It would be good to give this 'training' to health staff, but I think it would need to be pointed out that some people have those experiences (voices/paranoia/smells) who are NOT schizophrenic. That distinction needs to be made. When I've gone to hospital and they've asked me if I hear voices, their immediate follow up question is, 'do you have schizophrenia?' which I don't.
Fantastic idea though!

[Accidentally Abstract]

It's a good idea & sounds pretty interesting.
I think you'd have to be careful who you gave that sort of experience to though, as it might trigger off some underlying issues, etc.

[Out and Proud]

Its nice to know someone made a schizophrenia simulater as people can figure out what people like me who have schizophrenia live with.

[Snow White.]

I agree that this is quite interesting as schizophrenia is an illness with symptoms that the average person cannot conceptualize as having. Other mental illness, such as depression or anxiety, can be understood a bit better (though I don't think fully unless you've been through it) as they are an extreme of an otherwise normal emotion that people feel, so it may be easier to generate empathy for these clients because you've "been there" to a lesser extent. But hallucinations, delusions are not on that continuum so it's very hard for individuals to even conceptualize what that might be like. Hopefully a simulator like this can increase that sense of understanding and empathy, at least by giving a brief experience of it.

[akita]

I don't have schizophrenia but i think that simulator is a great thing. If only there was such a thing for all mental illnesses.

[Cacoethes]

I've often thought of asking my psych if I can follow her around for a day, stand behind her and chatter constantly, and she wouldn't be allowed to look at me. Just have to listen.

I doubt she would consent to that though :p

[Bhawk]

Being someone who performs hypnosis and suffers from schizophrenia i have contemplated giving someone the symptoms i experienced for just a day, so they can see into my world, however i havent done it yet as so much could go wrong for someone who's not used to the less than stable reality. I'm not sure as to the ethics of it either. If they have something that lets a well person experience psychosis i think all people who work with it should experience it for themselves, giving them more insight into our somewhat erratic behaviour at times

[nowhereman]

I'd heard of that actually when I was first diagnosed. I wonder if family could use it too. I know my parents went to a course of meetings to help them understand but this could be useful too.