SCARF Schizophrenia Exchange

  • SCARF Schizophrenia Exchange
    1180 member(s)

    SCARF is the acronym for the Schizophrenia Research Foundation, a non governmental, non profit organization in Chennai (Formerly Madras) in south India Founded in 1984 by a group of philanthropists and mental health professionals led by Dr. M.Sarada Menon, an internationally known psychiatrist, SCARF has established itself as a center of repute in rehabilitation and research in disorders of the mind. The present team led by the Director Dr. R.Thara is composed of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, rehab personnel, administrative and support staff. SCARF is one of the very few NGOs in the world to be named as a Collaborating Center of the World Health Organization ( WHO) for Mental Health Research and Training. SCARF would like to reach and support a wider community of patients and their caregivers through this community platform.

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  • Stock pic showing a young teen on the left scared and traumatised by something on his laptop. There is a lamp that shines directly on the laptop and there is a large shadow on the wall.
    Cyberbullying: The Downside Of A Connected World
    Dr. Shivaprakash Srinivasan, Child Adolescent  and Adult Psychiatrist at SCARF puts the spotlight on the growing trend of cyberbullying, the impact of cyberbullying on adolescent mental health and what parents and educators/teachers can do to prevent cyberbullying and spot signs. The internet since its introduction to the public in the early 1990’s has been changing the world at a really rapid pace. It has been making communication with persons around the world astoundingly easy and also…
  • Sangeetha Param who has Bipolar, Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression in a pink dress
    Like A Broken Vehicle, I Had To Be Push Started
    Sangeetha Param, a 24 year old living with bipolar disorder and depression, is a successful employee, has authored two books and is no longer afraid to talk in public about her mental health issues. Read her reflective piece. "I have bipolar disorder and borderline personality disorder”. “Do you know what they are?" I ask. The general responses are – "I don't know". "They are just mood swings, right?" "I have the exact same thing". "I know what you are talking about. I read it online that it's…
  • Image of face of Yuna Angel, young singaporean woman looking at the camera, green design effect
    Find Me a Job Right for my Mental Illness
    It is often misconstrued that people with schizophrenia are being lazy when they find it hard to continue with a job. Yuna Angell, who has schizophrenia, writes about her work experience at a fast food restaurant and what happened to her there. If you have schizophrenia, you will probably experience a LOT of delusions, some hallucinations, and you will also hear voices as symptoms of the mental illness. When you say you are “Feeling better”, it does not mean that you are ‘cured’. Honestly,…
  • Image of a woman in blue trousers and a blue shirt in distress with head in her knees
    How to Spot if Someone has Schizophrenia
    Dr R. Mangala, consultant psychiatrist, SCARF India describes early symptoms to recognize schizophrenia and emphasizes the importance of timely detection, intervention and treatment to minimize disability and improve chances of recovery. Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler describes schizophrenia as – “A slowly progressive deterioration of the entire personality, which involves mainly the affective life, and expresses itself in disorders of feeling, thought and conduct, and a tendency to withdraw…
  • Significance of Families in Better Outcomes of Schizophrenia
    Dr Mangala of SCARF (Schizophrenia Research Foundation) of Chennai shares wonderful case studies where friends and relatives have supported the person with schizophrenia empathetic and responsible caregiving. Plus 20 practical tips for caregivers.  The warmth and comfort we receive from a caring family member in times of distress, especially illness, often leaves us reflecting “What would I have done without him/her?" The presence of a loving relative by our side is far more reassuring…
  • Image of a man in T shirt and jeans with schizophrenia hearing voices, hallucinating
    I Hallucinated I Belonged to the British Royal Family
    A person with schizophrenia can start to lose normal thoughts as T.J.  had when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia at 26. The voices in his head, bouts of hallucination and aggression tormented him. He tried different psychiatrists till he found the right support and holistic care. Read on. My name is T.J . I am 36-years-old and I have schizophrenia. I live in Chennai. I was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2006 when I was just 26. The following is my ordeal. I had a happy childhood like…
  • Caring for a Son with Autism and Schizophrenia
    It can be formidable task to raise a child with either autism or schizophrenia. But when the two come together, the challenge escalates. Deepak Srivastava, recounts how his wife grapples with his 22-year-old son, Soumitra’s impulsive aggression. Our second son, Soumitra, was born autistic. We did not realize it initially; it was only when his growth milestones like walking or talking were not being met that we sensed something wrong. His behaviour pattern too was odd. He would stare awkwardly…
  • My Sister's Journey to Independence and Happiness
    "It is almost a miracle that my sister and I now behave like normal sisters in any other family -- fighting, sharing and laughing." A first person account of a sister caring for a sibling with schizophrenia. The Beginning of Hope When we came to SCARF, the Psychiatrist Dr. SK was the 10th doctor to whom we had come to in January 2014. We should have ideally met her some 16 years ago. Our journey had been a long one, with highs and lows, trials and tribulations, sometimes even thorny. But the…
  • Frequently Asked Questions on Schizophrenia
    Schizophrenia is one of the ten most disabling illness affecting individuals. Manisha Shastri answers some of the common and frequently asked questions that people have about Schizophrenia.  Schizophrenia is a mental illness affecting 1 per cent of the global population. It affects individuals irrespective of gender, race, age, socio – economic class and geographical location. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has listed Schizophrenia as one of the ten most disabling disorders affecting…
  • Physical Activity and Exercise Can Help Keep Mental Illness in Control
    Exercise and yoga can improve quality of life for people with mental illness and reduce risks of strokes, diabetes, auditory hallucinations and other health problems, informs Dr R Padmavati, Additional Director, Schizophrenia Research Foundation. World Health Organisation defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that requires energy expenditure. Physical activity is not just "exercise". Exercise, is a subcategory of physical activity that is planned,…
Need full time care giver for my granny suffering from schizophrenia
Hi
Sister with paranoid schizophrenia not taking food no insight
My 32 year old sister has paranoid schizophrenia with no insight. She has been showing symptoms since 2017 but was able to stay away from home and work. Whenever she was feeling persecuted she'd call my parents and yell and accuse them. Her delusion…
chronic schizophrenia patient treatment
My sister (age 40) is schizophrenia patient for past 20 years. My parents moved to Bangalore from chennai 5 years before for my sister treatment, she has been getting treatment in Abhaya hospital, Nimans Hospital(most of the time) and also Manipal…
Schizophrenia
What is the cure for schizophrenia?what are good rehab centers in Mumbai? Currently he got aggressive so doctors h has given medication. But somewhere he has to get independent.he can't depend on others for the rest of his life
Help
My brother was diagnosed with Positive Schinzophrenia last month. The Doctor prescribed him Aripiprazole 7.5 mg he took it for one month but it doesn't seem helping him.
irritation
I hate being illness, I'm taking antipsychotic medicine but yet hear ing non stop voices my head going to blast,I am getting more fear
job
i​ am suffering from schizophrenia and ocd . But my family, relatives and even my friend's and society don't understand this. . They all are thinking that I am just cheating them by not going to any job only because of my laziness. But this all…
Information regarding Self help Group and Counselling support In Bangalore
Hi, I am from bangalore and live with my parents and brother. My younger brother aged 25 is suffering from following conditions: 1. He has extreme dilusion. He thinks people are following him and commenting on his body and look. 2. He doubts me that…
Address of the NGO and telephone to meet regarding a patient
I request the telephone of the No in chennai regarding mental health of a patient.
Helpline for violent aggressive patients
Hi All My 79 yrs old father is a patient of schizophrenia for ages now and had stopped taking treatment after 2013. he claims he is absolutely sane and everybody around if conspiring against him and gets physically aggressive. Even though a senior…

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