Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious and challenging medical illness. Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting or personal weakness. People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices others don't hear, believe that others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world, or become convinced that others are plotting to harm them. A person experiencing schizophrenia is typically characterized as demonstrating disorganized thinking, and as experiencing delusions, in particular auditory hallucinations. Symptoms usually develop in men in their late teens or early twenties and women in the twenties and thirties, but in rare cases, can appear in childhood. Because many people with schizophrenia have difficulty holding a job or caring for themselves, the burden on their families and society is significant as well.

Schizophrenia and other mental health disorders have fairly strict criteria for diagnosis. Time of onset as well as length and characteristics of symptoms are all factors. Patients diagnosed with schizophrenia typically live ten to twelve years less than those without the disorder, owing to increased physical health problems and a high suicide rate. Schizophrenia also affects mood. While many individuals affected with schizophrenia become depressed, some also have apparent mood swings and even bipolar-like states. Childhood schizophrenia is rare and can be difficult to differentiate from other pervasive developmental disorders of childhood, such as autism. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness but it is not true that people who have schizophrenia are very dangerous - this is rarely the case. Antipsychotic medications, also known as neuroleptics, are the cornerstone of treatment.

Causes of Schizophrenia

The common causes and risk factor's of Schizophrenia:

A combination of environmental and genetic factors.
A family history of schizophrenia.
Psychological and social factors may also play some role.
Critical moments in brain development.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Some sign and symptom related to Schizophrenia are as follows:

Loss of appetite.
Decreased sensitivity to painful stimulus.
Incoherence.
Clumsy, uncoordinated movements.
Trouble functioning at work or in social situations.
Social isolation.

Treatment of Schizophrenia

During an acute episode of schizophrenia, hospitalization is often required to promote safety, and to provide for the person's basic needs such as food, rest, and hygiene.
The first line pharmacological therapy for schizophrenia is usually antipsychotic medication. Antipsychotic drugs are thought to mainly provide symptomatic relief from the positive symptoms of psychosis.
Behavioral techniques, such as social skills training, can be used in a therapeutic setting, or in the patient's natural environment to promote social and occupational functioning.
Smokers may need higher doses of antipsychotic medication because nicotine interferes with these medications.

Disclaimer : All information on www.depression-information.org is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.