Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a devastating brain disorder - the most chronic and disabling of the severe mental illnesses.
The first signs of schizophrenia, which typically emerge in young people in their teens or twenties, are confusing and often shocking to families and friends. Most people with schizophrenia suffer chronically or episodically throughout their lives, losing opportunities for careers and relationships. They often are stigmatized by lack of understanding about the disease.
However, several new anti-psychotic medications developed within the last few years have fewer side effects than the older medications. The long term prognosis for many people with schizophrenia has improved when these medications are taken in combination with psycho-social interventions.
- The most chronic and disabling of the severe mental illnesses
- In US 2.2 million sufferers (1.1 % of population 18 & older
- Rates are similar from country to country - 1 % of the population
- Ranks in the top 10 causes of disability in developed countries
- Serious risk of suicide in people with schizophrenia
- Most people with it are not violent towards others but are withdrawn & prefer to be left alone. Drug or alcohol abuse raises the risk of violence, particularly if the illness is untreated
- Research suggests: It may be a developmental disorder caused from impaired migration of neurons in the brain during fetal development. There is a low genetic vulnerability factor in some families with a history of the illness (ONLY 10%). Environmental stresses such as infection during fetal development or lack of oxygen at birth may also contribute.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Hallucinations
visual and/or auditory disturbances of sensory perception
Hear REAL voices that they believe to be real, see people or things that are not there except to them - VERY terrifying
Delusions
False yet strongly held personal beliefs resulting from the inability to separate real & unreal experiences
TV sending signals taking over mind. CIA after them, house is bugged, They are an important person, They can read minds, perceive message from space aliens
Disordered Thinking
Inability to "think straight". Unable to concentrate on one thought for very long & be easily distracted. May be unable to sort what is relevant & not relevant in a situation. May connect thoughts that are not related which may make conversations difficult and may contribute to social isolation.
Unusual Speech or Behavior
May have trouble communicating in coherent sentences. May repeat rhythmic gestures, walk in circles, pacing. May have difficulty making sense of everyday sights, sounds & feelings.
Social Withdrawal
Emotional flatness or lack of expression, inability to follow through with activities, speech that is brief & lacks content and a lack of pleasure or interest in life.
