Title: Schizophrenia
Contributed by: mcookie013
Do you know someone who seems like he or she has "lost touch" with reality? Does this person talk about "hearing voices" no one else can? Does he or she see or feel things no one else can? Does this person believe things that aren't true?
Sometimes people with these symptoms have schizophrenia, a serious illness.
What is schizophrenia?
People with schizophrenia may hear voices other people don't hear. They may think other people are trying to hurt them. Sometimes they don't make any sense when they talk. The disorder makes it hard for them to keep a job or take care of themselves.
Who gets schizophrenia?
Anyone can develop schizophrenia. It affects men and women equally in all ethnic groups. Teens can also develop schizophrenia. In rare cases, children have the illness too.
When does it start?
Symptoms of schizophrenia usually start between ages 16 and 30. Men often develop symptoms at a younger age than women. People usually do not get schizophrenia after age 45.
What causes schizophrenia?
Several factors may contribute to schizophrenia, including:
- Genes, because the illness runs in families
- The environment, such as viruses and nutrition problems before birth
- Different brain structure and brain chemistry.
Scientists have learned a lot about schizophrenia. They are identifying genes and parts of the brain that may play a role in the illness. Some experts think the illness begins before birth but doesn't show up until years later.
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia symptoms range from mild to severe. There are three main types of symptoms.
1. Positive symptoms refer to a distortion of a person's normal thinking and functioning. They are "psychotic" behaviors. People with these symptoms are sometimes unable to tell what's real from what is imagined. Positive symptoms include:
Hallucinations: when a person sees, hears, smells, or feels things that no one else can. "Hearing voices" is common for people with schizophrenia. People who hear voices may hear them for a long time before family or friends notice a problem.
Delusions: when a person believes things that are not true. For example, a person may believe that people on the radio and television are talking directly to him or her. Sometimes people believe that they are in danger-that other people are trying to hurt them.
Thought disorders: ways of thinking that are not usual or helpful. People with thought disorders may have trouble organizing their thoughts. Sometimes a person will stop talking in the middle of a thought. And some people make up words that have no meaning.
Movement disorders: may appear as agitated body movements. A person with a movement disorder may repeat certain motions over and over. In the other extreme, a person may stop moving or talking for a while, a rare condition called "catatonia."
2. Negative symptoms refer to difficulty showing emotions or functioning normally. When a person with schizophrenia has negative symptoms, it may look like depression. People with negative symptoms may:
- Talk in a dull voice Show no facial expression, like a smile or frown
- Have trouble having fun
- Have trouble planning and sticking with an activity, like grocery shopping
- Talk very little to other people, even when they need to.
3. Cognitive symptoms are not easy to see, but they can make it hard for people to have a job or take care of themselves. Cognitive symptoms include:
- Trouble using information to make decisions
- Problems using information immediately after learning it
-Trouble paying attention.
*Teens can get schizophrenia, but it may be hard to see at first. This is because the symptoms may look like problems many teenagers have. A teen developing schizophrenia may:
-Start getting bad grades in school
- Change friends
- Have trouble sleeping
- Be irritable or moody.
What are the different types of schizophrenia?
Paranoid schizophrenia -- a person feels extremely suspicious, persecuted, or grandiose, or experiences a combination of these emotions.
Disorganized schizophrenia -- a person is often incoherent in speech and thought, but may not have delusions.
Catatonic schizophrenia -- a person is withdrawn, mute, negative and often assumes very unusual body positions.
Residual schizophrenia -- a person is no longer experiencing delusions or hallucinations, but has no motivation or interest in life.
Schizoaffective disorder--a person has symptoms of both schizophrenia and a major mood disorder such as depression.
No cure for schizophrenia has been discovered, but with proper treatment, many people with this illness can lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Are people with schizophrenia violent?
Most people with schizophrenia are not violent. However, a few people have this problem. Violence usually happens at home with family members.
Suicide is a problem for some people with schizophrenia. They are more likely than other people to attempt suicide. If you know someone who talks about suicide, help him or her find help quickly.
How can I help someone I know with schizophrenia
Caring for and supporting a family member with schizophrenia can be hard. People with the disorder may not want treatment. They may stop taking their medication. If this happens, you may need help from the police or a hospital. Doctors at the emergency room can check your loved one and decide whether he or she needs professional help.
It's important to respect a person with schizophrenia. But you do not have to allow dangerous behavior. Stay in touch with your loved one's doctors. Talk to them about how to help your family member through good and bad times.
sources:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia-easy-to-read/index.shtm
http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/schizophrenial
