Basic Understanding of SCHIZOPHRENIA

What is Schizophrenia?

* Schizophrenia is a mental disorder marked by severely impaired thinking and emotions that affects behaviors, as shown by abnormality in language, thought, perception and sense of self.
* Schizophrenic patients are typically unable to filter sensory stimuli and may have enhanced perceptions of sounds, colors, and other features of their environment.
* If untreated, patients gradually withdraw from interactions with other people, and lose their ability to take care of personal needs and grooming.
* Additional symptoms include psychotic experiences such as hallucinations, illusions, delusions and bizarreness in thinking.
* Duration of the sings and symptoms are at least 6 months.
* It is not "split personality", rather it is "shattered personality".


What causes it?

* There is no known single causes. One of the reasons for the ongoing difficulty in classifying schizophrenic disorders is incomplete understanding of their causes.
* It is thought that these disorders are the end result of a combination of genetic, neurobiological, and environmental causes.
* A leading neurobiological hypothesis looks at the connection between the disease and excessive levels of dopamine, a chemical that transmits signals in the brain (neurotransmitter).
* The genetic factor in schizophrenia has been underscored by recent findings that first-degree biological relatives of schizophrenics are ten times as likely to develop the disorder as are members of the general population.

How many suffer?

* The prevalence of schizophrenia is thought to be about 1% of the population around the world.
* Thus, it is more common than diabetes, Alzeimer's disease, or multiple sclerosis.
* About 90% of patients in treatment between 18-55 years old.
* Male and female equally affected, Symptoms appear earlier in males.
* More thant 1/2 of all male schizophrenic patients and 1/3 of all female patients are first admitted to psychiatric hospitals before 25.
* The disorder is considered to be one of the top ten causes of long-term disability worldwide.


What can be done?

* Psychotic symptoms and behaviors are considered psychiatric emergencies, and persons showing signs of psychosis can be brought family, friends, or the police to a hospital emergency room.
* A person diagnosed with psychosis can be legally hospitalized against his or her will, particularly if he or she is violent, threatening to commit suicide, or threatening to harm another person.
* A psychotic person may also be hospitalized if he or she has become malnourished or ill as a result of failure to fee, dress appropriately for the climate, or otherwise take care of him - or herself.
* A patient having a first psychotic episode should be given CT or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan to rule out structural brain disese
* Antipsychotic medications have proven to reduce the symptoms such as apathy, withdrawal and lack of motivation or drive. Medications can also help to effectively reduce hallucinations and delusions.
* Some have mild side effects like dryness of the mouth, dorwsiness, dizziness and serious side effects as trouble with muscle control, restlessness, tremors and facial tics.
* Family therapy focused on communication skills and problem-solving strategies is particularly helpful. The family's attitude and behaviors toward the patient's life), and family therapy can often strengthen the family''s ability to cope with the stresses caused by the schizophrenic's illness.
* Psychotherapy - Most schizophrenics can benefit from psychotherapy once their acute symptoms have been brought under control by antipsychotic medication. Behavior therapy is often helpful in assisting patients to acquire skills for daily living and social interaction. It can be combined with occupational therapy to prepare the patient for eventual employment.