Empowering Schizophrenia Sufferers

KOMPAS/FAJAR RAMADHAN

Maryati, 22, who has schizophrenia, is helped to take a rest after being released from underneath a cover in her cage in Sukasari village of Kadupandak district, Cianjur regency, West Java. A team from the Istana KSJ arrived on Thursday (3/10/2019) to free the schizophrenia sufferer from confinement to transport her to its mental health center for treatment and rehabilitation.

PEKANBARU, KOMPAS — People with schizophrenia who have a stable mental condition can live active and productive lives. However, discipline in taking medication and support and guidance from family and others are necessary.

Aditya Widipratomo, 39, a civil servant at the Social Affairs Ministry’s Social Rehabilitation Center for Children with Special-Protection Needs (BRSAMPK) in Rumbai, Pekanbaru, laughed heartily as he played volleyball with children at the center on Thursday (3/10/2019).

He interacted and played closely with them. In appearance, Aditya looks just like everyone else. He possesses good linguistic skills and intellect. His relations with his colleagues are warm and filled with jokes.

Aditya was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2001. His immersion in religious books and sermons gave him a sharp perspective, which led to delusions of grandeur. He once saw himself as Imam Mahdi (an eschatological figure in Islam), Sunan Kalijaga (one of the nine saints who spread Islam in Java in the 15^th and 16^th centuries) and Jesus Christ. Now, he is in a battle with his own mind to convince himself that he is just a regular person.

He strives to remain aware of things that can lead to delusional thoughts. “Whenever I think too much, I know that I have to rest. I have learned to be sincere and surrender to God, including when my fear of being killed arises,” he said.

KOMPAS/FAJAR RAMADHAN

Istana KSJ founder Nurhamid (right) tries to help Elis Munawaroh, 30 (center), out of her cage on Thursday (3/10/2019) in Wargasari village, Kadupandak district, Cianjur regency, West Java. Her family kept Elis, who has schizophrenia, in confinement for her own safety from possible assault by fellow villagers due to the stigma and superstition that surrounds the mental illness.

According to Andriyani Widyaningtyas, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2004 and currently works at the Inti Mata Jiwa Foundation, which campaigns for mental health and suicide prevention in Gunung Kidul, Yogyakarta, building awareness of the need to take medication is not easy.

Andriyani was once reluctant to take her medicine as she was convinced that she had been cured and the taking the medicine would lead to dependency. As a result, she has relapsed several times. “Until today, I routinely take my medicine once a day,” she said.

Besides taking medicine, family support is also important. “Families have an important role when schizophrenia sufferers experience bad times,” said 41-year-old Osse Kiki, a ride-hailing driver, guest lecturer and activist at the Jakarta-based Indonesia Schizophrenia Care Community.

Kiki’s family insisted on taking him to the hospital when he became delusional in 2008. Kiki later resisted as he believed he was getting worse after seeing a doctor. Kiki’s parents, however, remained patient.

After Kiki was diagnosed with schizophrenia, his parents insisted that he sleep with them to ensure 24-hour monitoring. Whenever Kiki is awake, his parents are awake, too, as they are worried that he will wander off.

KOMPAS/FAJAR RAMADHAN

Atep piggybacks his sister, Maryati, 22, who has schizophrenia, to a waiting ambulance on Thursday (3/10/2019) in Wargasari village, Kadupandak district, Cianjur regency, West Java.

Collegial support is also important. Aditya never hesitates to discuss his illness with his colleagues at BRSAMPK.

“I want them to accept me as I am,” he said. His colleagues respond positively and fully accept him.

Non-medical therapy

To ensure a stable mental condition, those with mental illness can take part in non-medical therapy sessions, such as artistic activities or hobbies. Such therapy is important to complement medical treatment and family and community support.

I Nyoman Sudiasa, 45, a schizophrenia sufferer who manages the Denpasar-based Rumah Berdaya (House of Empowerment), paints to help him overcome illness-related stress. His paintings adorn the walls of the gallery at Rumah Berdaya. One of his paintings is used on the packaging of incense sticks produced by Rumah Berdaya. Sudiasa said this helped boost his spirit and confidence.

Andriyani, on the other hand, goes backpacking with friends and takes makeup and photography classes, which help develop her psychomotor skills.

University of Indonesia school of medicine-Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital psychiatrist Hervita Diatri said schizophrenia was a chronic disease that involved relapses and led to disability. “If treatment is administered early, patients can heal completely,” she said.

(SAH/HRS/FRD/AYS/MZW)