What is Schizophrenia ? ~ Bloggerin Info

Schizophrenia is a general name for a group of emotional disorders that are all forms of psychosis, in which the person has problems telling fact from fantasy and therefore behaves irrationally. Schizophrenia alters a person's thought patterns, reaction to others, and behaviour so severely that he or she undergoes a change of personality

FOR A DIAGNOSIS of schizophrenia to be confirmed, the person must show signs of disorganization of the personality for at least six months. Also, the six-month period must include at least one episode of false ideas, hallucinations, or significant thought disorder. Schizophrenia should not be confused with multiple personality disorder.

Some physicians think that schizophrenia is an inherited disorder; others believe that it's the result of a profound disturbance in early mother-child relationships. Symptoms usually appear in late adolescence or early adulthood. The disorder may be lifelong, but acute episode tend to occur at times of emotional stress or personal loss.

The Symptoms

For most people with schizophrenia, an episode begins with a gradual, or occasionally sudden, withdrawal from day-to-day activities. The content of the person's speech may become increasingly vague, and he or she may seem unable to follow a simple conversation. An acute bout can happen unexpectedly. Often the onset is so gradual that it's difficult to know when psychotic symptoms appear. Among such symptoms are seemingly disconnected remarks, along with blank looks.

Schizophrenics often believe that others hear and "steal" their thoughts. Those with schizophrenia may have false ideas, ranging from a single idea such as the conviction they are Theodore Roosevelt to complex systems of related beliefs. Sometimes they fear they have lost control of bodily movement as well as thought, as if they were puppets. They frequently believe they hear voices, often hostile ones. Less commonly, they have hallucinations of odd physical sensations, fearing that they have been poisoned or otherwise attacked by others. In time many people with schizophrenia build up a set of beliefs in a fantasy world. In this way they flee from reality and withdraw from what they perceive to be an overwhelmingly threatening world. They may express exaggerated feelings of happiness, bewilderment, or despair. They may have laugh at sad moment or cry without cause.

In an early phase of schizophrenia the person may have symptoms similar to those of manic-depressive illness. As schizophrenia deepens, however, the person may become very detached toward other people. They detached person is then more likely to behave strangely and to neglect his or her appearance. There are several types of schizophrenia with similar symptoms, but the only practical distinction that most physicians how make is between paranoid schizophrenia and other types. The main symptoms of a person with paranoid schizophrenia are constant suspicion and resentment, accompanied by an irrational fear that people are hostile or even plotting to destroy him or her.

The Risks

As the most common type of psychosis, schizophrenia usually begins between ages 15 to 30. Males and females are about equally affected by the disorder.

For unknown reasons schizophrenia is more common in certain geographic areas such as inner cities of the U.S.A. Throughout the world schizophrenia has an average lifetime prevalence of almost one percent. It tends to run in families, and chemical changes in the brain may also play a role.

People who have bouts of schizophrenia in its most severe forms may physically harm themselves or others, or may try to commit suicide.

What Should Be Done?

If you suspect that someone in your family is schizophrenic, try to get the person to see a physician. It probably will not be easy. People who are becoming mentally ill often refuse to admit it. But medical care is vital. Don't leave alone a person who at the time seems extremely disturbed. The presence of a relative of friend will reassure that person. Keeping him or her from self-destructive behavior until help arrives may be essential. However, if you feel threatened, leave the person and wait for help. People with symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia may be admitted to a hospital for a preliminary period of observation.

The Treatment

Severe cases are treated in a hospital. Treatment usually involves the use drugs, psychotherapy, and rehabilitation.

The most effective drugs are regular doses of antipsychotic drugs designed to reduce symptoms so that the person can benefit from psychotherapy. As symptoms gradually disappear, doses are reduced. Some people, however, need long-term medication. They may either take oral medication regularly or be given an injection every two to four weeks to ensure compliance.

As soon as the person's symptoms are controlled by medication, he or she is ready to be helped by psychotherapy. Techniques of psychotherapy vary, but the goal is the same: to help the person understand the emotional factor underlying the disorder and how they contributed to the current episode. Medication and psychotherapy play major roles in helping the person get back in touch with reality. For treatment to be effective, the family needs to be closely involved.

The final stage of treatment is rehabilitation, which helps people who are recovering from a bout of schizophrenia to regain normal skills and behavior patterns. In the early stages of hospital treatment, people with schizophrenia are generally given increasingly complex tasks and pressures, which eventually approximate the tasks and pressures of the world outside. Those with schizophrenia need assistance from day centers or other community care once they are released from the hospital, but these resources are not always available.

The Long-Term Prospects

Many people recover from an episode of schizophrenia well enough to return to varying degress of independence. But they may have further episodes, especially if they don't take their medicine as prescribed in some people the condition becomes chronic. About ten percen remain impaired for life. The outlook improves if you follow your physician's advice about medication, and if the family is involved in your treatment.