|
Schizophrenia is a serious disorder which affects how a person
thinks, feels and acts. Someone with schizophrenia may have
difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is
imaginary; may be unresponsive or withdrawn; and may have
difficulty expressing normal emotions in social situations.
Contrary to public perception, schizophrenia is not split
personality or multiple personality. The vast majority of people
with schizophrenia are not violent and do not pose a danger to
others. Schizophrenia is not caused by childhood experiences, poor
parenting or lack of willpower, nor are the symptoms identical for
each person.
What causes schizophrenia?
The cause of schizophrenia is still unclear. Some theories about
the cause of this disease include: genetics (heredity), biology
(the imbalance in the brain�s chemistry); and/or possible viral
infections and immune disorders.
Genetics (Heredity). Scientists recognize that the disorder
tends to run in families and that a person inherits a tendency to
develop the disease. Schizophrenia may also be triggered by
environmental events, such as viral infections or highly stressful
situations or a combination of both.
Similar to some other genetically-related illnesses,
schizophrenia appears when the body undergoes hormonal and physical
changes, like those that occur during puberty in the teen and young
adult years.
Chemistry. Genetics help to determine how the brain uses certain
chemicals. People with schizophrenia have a chemical imbalance of
brain chemicals (serotonin and dopamine) which are
neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters allow nerve cells in the
brain to send messages to each other. The imbalance of these
chemicals affects the way a person�s brain reacts to stimuli--which
explains why a person with schizophrenia may be overwhelmed by
sensory information (loud music or bright lights) which other
people can easily handle. This problem in processing different
sounds, sights, smells and tastes can also lead to hallucinations
or delusions.
What are the early warning signs of schizophrenia?
The signs of schizophrenia are different for everyone. Symptoms
may develop slowly over months or years, or may appear very
abruptly. The disease may come and go in cycles of relapse and
remission.
Behaviors that are early warning signs of schizophrenia
include:
- Hearing or seeing something that isn�t there
- A constant feeling of being watched
- Peculiar or nonsensical way of speaking or writing
- Strange body positioning
- Feeling indifferent to very important situations
- Deterioration of academic or work performance
- A change in personal hygiene and appearance
- A change in personality
- Increasing withdrawal from social situations
- Irrational, angry or fearful response to loved ones
- Inability to sleep or concentrate
- Inappropriate or bizarre behavior
- Extreme preoccupation with religion or the occult
Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the world population. In the
United States one in a hundred people, about 2.5 million, have this
disease. It knows no racial, cultural or economic boundaries.
Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 13 and 25, but often
appear earlier in males than females.
If you or a loved one experience several of these symptoms for
more than two weeks, seek help immediately.
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
A medical or mental health professional may use the following
terms when discussing the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Positive symptoms are disturbances that are �added� to the
person�s personality.
- Delusions -- false ideas--individuals may believe that someone
is spying on him or her, or that they are someone famous.
- Hallucinations � seeing, feeling, tasting, hearing or smelling
something that doesn�t really exist. The most common experience is
hearing imaginary voices that give commands or comments to the
individual.
- Disordered thinking and speech -- moving from one topic to
another, in a nonsensical fashion. Individuals may make up their
own words or sounds.
Negative symptoms are capabilities that are �lost� from the
person�s personality.
- Social withdrawal
- Extreme apathy
- Lack of drive or initiative
- Emotional unresponsiveness
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.
What treatments are available for schizophrenia?
If you suspect someone you know is experiencing symptoms of
schizophrenia, encourage them to see a medical or mental health
professional immediately. Early treatment--even as early as the
first episode--can mean a better long-term outcome.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
While no cure for schizophrenia exists, many people with this
illness can lead productive and fulfilling lives with the proper
treatment. Recovery is possible through a variety of services,
including medication and rehabilitation programs. Rehabilitation
can help a person recover the confidence and skills needed to live
a productive and independent life in the community. Types of
services that help a person with schizophrenia include:
- Case management helps people access services, financial
assistance, treatment and other resources.
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Programs are programs that help
people regain skills such as: employment, cooking, cleaning,
budgeting, shopping, socializing, problem solving, and stress
management.
- Self-help groups provide on-going support and information to
persons with serious mental illness by individuals who experience
mental illness themselves.
- Drop-in centers are places where individuals with mental
illness can socialize and/or receive informal support and services
on an as-needed basis.
- Housing programs offer a range of support and supervision from
24 hour supervised living to drop-in support as needed.
- Employment programs assist individuals in finding employment
and/or gaining the skills necessary to re-enter the workforce.
- Therapy/Counseling includes different forms of �talk� therapy,
both individual and group, that can help both the patient and
family members to better understand the illness and share their
concerns.
- Crisis Services include 24 hour hotlines, after hours
counseling, residential placement and in-patient
hospitalization.
Antipsychotic Medication
The new generation of antipsychotic medications help people with
schizophrenia to live fulfilling lives. They help to reduce the
biochemical imbalances that cause schizophrenia and decrease the
likelihood of relapse. Like all medications, however,
anti-psychotic medications should be taken only under the
supervision of a mental health professional.
There are two major types of antipsychotic medication:
- Conventional antipsychotics effectively control the �positive�
symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and confusion of
schizophrenia.
- New Generation (also called atypical) antipsychotics treat both
the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, often with
fewer side effects.
Side effects are common with antipsychotic drugs. They range
from mild side effects such as dry mouth, blurred vision,
constipation, drowsiness and dizziness which usually disappear
after a few weeks to more serious side effects such as trouble with
muscle control, pacing, tremors and facial ticks. The newer
generation of drugs have fewer side effects. However, it is
important to talk with your mental health professional before
making any changes in medication since many side effects can be
controlled.
For More Information:
Contact your local Mental Health Association, community mental
health center, or for additional resources, please call
1-800-969-NMHA.
National Alliance for the
Mentally Ill (NAMI)
1-800-950-NAM
National Alliance for
Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD)
1-800-829-8289
National Institute of
Mental Health
301-443-4513
Family members or caregivers of a person with schizophrenia can
refer to NMHA�s �Mental Illness in the Family� brochure series,
available through NMHA�s Information Center:
Part 1- Recognizing the Warning Signs and How to Cope
Part 2- Guidelines for Seeking care
Part 3- Guidelines for Hospitalization
NMHA offers additional pamphlets on a variety of mental health
topics. For more information or to order multiple copies of
pamphlets, please call 1-800-969-NMHA
NMHA's Campaign
for America's Mental Health works to raise awareness that
mental illnesses are common, real and treatable illnesses and
ensure that those most at-risk receive proper, timely and effective
treatment.
|
