...this is an unscientific observation, in that, among a small population of homeless people, men are acquiring a schizophrenia.
This population is well cared for by a Methodist ministry. There are no direct medical services available with this ministry. The schizophrenic appearance of the two men in particular occurred over the past year and the outbreak began about six months into the knowledge of their homelessness.
These two men are slight in build, not tiny, but, smaller in stature than other men in the group. There are women in the group and they have not manifested any schizophrenic behaviors.
Height and weight are important for any of these adults. But, in the wild where the homeless live, either the wilderness and/or city streets, men that are smaller than others have problems with assault. It is difficult to say whether these two men were assaulted without detailed conversations. Yes, they are still capable of rational conversations then confronted with same.
The ministry that protects these people will find men come into their open door kitchen for a meal that have been assaulted with bruises about their face, missing belongings and lost eyeglasses. These two men were never observed to have that occur, according to the minister and volunteers.
The behavior leading up to that intrusive schizophrenic behavior begins with isolation to protect from assault. These two men when spoken to are well spoken and able to construct an understanding of social issues when told. There is a television with a news channel playing on most days when there are meals available.
Both these men are somewhere between 35 and 45 and can take care of their personal needs. Even today with such behaviors manifesting they are able to find shelter and food. They do not have relationships and some of the larger men do.
After they isolate, they become silent and far less social and then the behaviors begin. The longer the behaviors are tolerated the quicker they return even after a very sane conversation. The behaviors are a retreat for safety. At least that is my belief.
There needs to be more extensive research conducted through ministries that care for the homeless to provide additional services such as support personal speaking to those with such ACQUIRED behaviors. My concern is that the survival of particular men without PTSD necessarily will become more and more difficult the longer they are homeless. The behaviors become a part of their personality without a challenge to them. When that occurs, my fear, is they will become unemployable and have far worse circumstances than being homeless.
I think there MAY also be a fear of authority when homeless that will drive these behaviors.
These are acquired behaviors and pretend behaviors. This, so far is exclusive to these men and there is no such behaviors among the women who may or may not be attended to by a man/men.
