Schizophrenia is a serious mental
illness which affects how a person thinks, feels and acts. It is a
disease that makes it difficult for a person to tell the difference
between real and imagined experiences, to think logically, to express
normal emotional responses or to behave normally in social situations.
Schizophrenia can be draining on both
the person with schizophrenia and their families. People with
schizophrenia often have difficulty functioning in society, at work
and in school. Family members may have to help out financially and
make sure that medication is taken as prescribed.
No cure for schizophrenia has been
discovered, but with proper treatment, many people with this illness
can lead productive and fulfilling lives.
Schizophrenia--Who's Likely To
Suffer From It?
Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the world population. In the United
States, about 2.5 million people have this disease.
Symptoms usually appear between the
ages of 15 and 35, but often appear earlier in males than females.
Schizophrenia is NOT a "split
personality."
Schizophrenia is NOT caused by bad parenting.
Schizophrenia is NOT caused by personal weakness.
What Causes Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a complex and puzzling disease. There are several
theories about the cause of this disease: genetics (heredity);
imbalance in the brain's chemistry; complications during pregnancy
and/or birth. However, it is not clear if one or all of these
theories are a factor in causing the disease.
- 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 be triggered by environmental events, such as
viral infections or highly stressful situations or a combination of
both. Similar to 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 which means they are either
very sensitive to or produce too much of a brain chemical called
dopamine.
Dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter, allows nerve cells in the
brain to send messages to each other. The imbalance of this chemical
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.
- Complications during pregnancy
and birth. Some researchers suspect a viral infection, improper
nutrition during pregnancy, or birth complications may increase the
chances of a person developing schizophrenia.
What Are The Different Types Of
Schizophrenia?
- Paranoid schizophrenia a
person feels extremely suspicious, persecuted, grandiose, or
experiences a combination of these emotions.
- Disorganized schizophrenia a
person is often incoherent but may not have delusions.
- Catatonic schizophrenia a
person is withdrawn, mute, negative and often assumes very unusual
postures.
- Residual schizophrenia a
person is no longer delusion or hallucinating, but has no motivation
or interest in life. These symptoms can be most devastating.
What Are The Symptoms Of
Schizophrenia?
The appearance of symptoms varies from person to person; symptoms
may develop slowly over months or years, or may appear very abruptly.
Initial symptoms, which usually appear
gradually, may include:
- mild feelings of tension,
- inability to sleep or concentrate,
or
- loss of interest in school, work and
friends
As the disease becomes worse the
individual may experience more disabling and bizarre symptoms such as:
- delusions,
- hallucinations or
- disordered speech and thoughts.
Schizophrenia may appear in cycles
known as relapse or remission. During times of relapse, the person
suffering from schizophrenia may experience one or all of the
following symptoms:
- Delusions false ideas. For
example, individuals may believe that someone is spying on him or
her, or that they are someone famous.
- Hallucinations imaginary
voices which give commands or comments to the individual. It is less
common for the person to think he or she sees, feels, tastes, or
smells something which really doesn't exist.
- Disordered thinking moving
from one topic to another, but making no sense. Individuals may make
up their own words or sounds.
During periods of remission, psychotic
symptoms may lessen, although some symptoms such as social withdrawal,
inappropriate or blunted emotions and extreme apathy, may persist
What Treatments Are Available For
Schizophrenia?
If you suspect someone you know is experiencing symptoms of
schizophrenia, encourage them to see a psychiatrist. Psychiatrists are
medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of mental illnesses.
They can diagnose schizophrenia and have the authority to prescribe
medications.
The psychiatrist will thoroughly
interview the person to identify the signs and symptoms of
schizophrenia; to date, however, there are no chemical tests for
schizophrenia.
Antipsychotic Drugs
Schizophrenia is usually a lifelong disease. Most people with this
illness will probably take medication for the rest of their lives, as
do patients with diabetes or high blood pressure.
Antipsychotic medications help to
normalize the biochemical imbalances that cause schizophrenia. They
are also important in reducing the likelihood of relapse. Like all
medications, however, antipsychotic drugs should be taken only under
close supervision of a psychiatrist or other physician.
There are two major types of
antipsychotics, traditional and new antipsychotics.
Traditional antipsychotics
effectively control the hallucinations, delusions, and confusion of
schizophrenia.
Side effects are common to many
medications, including those for schizophrenia. Traditional
antipsychotics have side effects which may be mild, to serious; some
only occurring at high doses.
Side effects for antipsychotics may
cause a patient to stop taking them. However, it is important to talk
with your doctor before making any changes in medication since many
side effects can be controlled. Be sure to weigh the risks against the
potential benefits that antipsychotic drugs can provide.
Mild side effects: dry mouth,
blurred vision, constipation, drowsiness and dizziness. These side
affects usually disappear a few weeks after the person starts
treatment.
More serious side effects:
trouble with muscle control, muscle spasms or cramps in the head and
neck, fidgeting or pacing, tremors and shuffling of the feet (much
like those affecting people with Parkinson's disease).
Side effects due to prolonged use of
traditional antipsychotic medications: facial ticks, thrusting and
rolling of the tongue, lip licking, panting and grimacing.
New antipsychotics
New medications are effective in treating a broader range of
symptoms of schizophrenia, and have fewer side effects than
traditional antipsychotics.
Counseling and Rehabilitation
People with schizophrenia often have a difficult time performing
ordinary life skills such as cooking and personal grooming as well as
communicating with others in the family and at work.
Rehabilitation can help a person regain
the confidence to take care of themselves and live a fuller life.
Different forms of "talk" therapy, both individual and group, can help
both the patient and family members to better understand the illness
and share their coping problems.
Coping Guidelines For The Family:
- Establish a daily routine for the
patient to follow.
- Help the patient stay on the
medication.
- Keep the lines of communication
open about problems or fears the patient may have.
- Understand that caring for the
patient can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Take time
for yourself.
- Keep your communications simple
and brief when speaking with the patient.
- Be patient and calm.
- Ask for help if you need it; join
a support group.
Source: National Mental Health
Association
