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    Schizophrenia

    Uploaded by

    otiswikky82
    Notes on schizophrenia

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Schizophrenia

    Uploaded by

    otiswikky82
    7 views24 pages
    Notes on schizophrenia

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Notes on schizophrenia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    7 views24 pages

    Schizophrenia

    Uploaded by

    otiswikky82
    Notes on schizophrenia

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 24

    Schizophrenia

    What is
    schizophrenia?
    Schizophrenia is a serious
    mental illness that affects how a
    person thinks, feels, and
    behaves. People with
    schizophrenia may seem like
    they have lost touch with reality,
    which can be distressing for
    them and for their family and
    friends. The symptoms of
    schizophrenia can make it
    difficult to participate in usual,
    everyday activities, but effective
    treatments are available. Many
    people who receive treatment
    can engage in school or work,
    achieve independence, and
    enjoy personal relationships.

    What are the signs


    and
    symptoms of
    schizophrenia?
    It’s important to recognize the
    symptoms of schizophrenia and
    seek help as early as possible.
    People with schizophrenia are
    usually diagnosed between the
    ages of 16 and 30, after the first
    episode of psychosis. Starting
    treatment as soon as possible
    following the first episode of
    psychosis is an important step
    toward recovery. However,
    research shows that gradual
    changes in thinking, mood, and
    social functioning often appear
    before the first episode of
    psychosis. Schizophrenia is rare
    in younger children.

    Schizophrenia symptoms can


    differ from person to person, but
    they generally fall into three main
    categories: psychotic, negative,
    and cognitive.
    Psychotic symptoms include
    changes in the way a person
    thinks, acts, and experiences the
    world. A person experiencing
    psychotic symptoms often has
    disrupted thoughts and
    perceptions, and they may have
    difficulty recognizing what is real
    and what is not. Psychotic
    symptoms include:

    Ÿ Hallucinations: When a person


    sees, hears, smells, tastes, or
    feels things that are not actually
    there. 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.

    Ÿ Delusions: When a person has


    strong beliefs that are not true
    and may seem irrational to
    others. For example,
    individuals experiencing
    delusions may believe that
    people on the radio and
    television are sending special
    messages that require a certain
    response, or they may believe
    that they are in danger or that
    others are trying to hurt them.

    Ÿ Thought disorder: When a


    person has ways of thinking that
    are unusual or illogical. People
    with thought disorder may have
    trouble organizing their thoughts
    and speech. Sometimes a
    person will stop talking in the
    middle of a thought, jump from
    topic to topic, or make up words
    that have no meaning.
    Negative symptoms include
    loss of motivation, loss of interest
    or enjoyment in daily activities,
    withdrawal from social life,
    difficulty showing emotions, and
    difficulty
    functioning normally.

    Negative symptoms include:

    Ÿ Having trouble planning and


    sticking with activities, such as
    grocery shopping

    Ÿ Having trouble anticipating and


    being motivated by pleasure in
    everyday life

    Ÿ Talking in a dull voice and


    showing limited facial expression

    Ÿ Avoiding social interaction or


    interacting in socially awkward
    ways
    Ÿ Having very low energy and
    spending a lot of time in passive
    activities. In extreme cases, a
    person might stop moving or
    talking for a while, which is a
    rare condition called catatonia.

    These symptoms are sometimes


    mistaken for symptoms of
    depression or other mental
    illnesses.

    Cognitive symptoms include


    problems in attention,
    concentration, and memory.
    These symptoms can make it
    hard to follow a conversation,
    learn new things, or remember
    appointments. A person’s level of
    cognitive functioning is one of the
    best predictors of their day-to-
    day functioning. Health care
    providers evaluate cognitive
    functioning using specific tests.
    Cognitive symptoms include:

    Ÿ Having trouble processing


    information to make decisions
    Ÿ Having trouble using information
    immediately after learning it

    Ÿ Having trouble focusing or


    paying attention

    The Centers for Disease Control


    and Prevention (CDC) has
    recognized that having certain
    mental disorders, including
    depression and schizophrenia,
    can make people more likely to
    get severely ill from COVID-19.
    Learn more about getting help
    and finding a health care
    provider.

    Risk of violence
    Most people with schizophrenia
    are not violent. Overall, people
    with schizophrenia are more
    likely than those without the
    illness to be harmed by others.
    For people with schizophrenia,
    the risk of self-harm
    and of violence to others is
    greatest when the illness is
    untreated or co-occurs with
    alcohol or substance misuse. It is
    important to help people who are
    showing symptoms to get
    treatment as quickly as possible.

    Schizophrenia vs.
    dissociative identity
    disorder
    Although some of the signs may
    seem similar on the surface,
    schizophrenia is not dissociative
    identity disorder (which used to
    be called multiple personality
    disorder or split personality).
    People with dissociative identity
    disorder have two or more
    distinct identities with distinct
    behaviors and memories.

    What are the risk


    factors for
    schizophrenia?
    Several factors may contribute to
    a person’s risk of developing
    schizophrenia.

    Genetics: Schizophrenia
    sometimes runs in families.
    However, just because one
    family member has
    schizophrenia, it does not mean
    that other members of the family
    also will have it. Studies suggest
    that many different genes may
    increase a person’s chances of
    developing schizophrenia, but
    that no single gene causes the
    disorder by itself.
    Environment: Research
    suggests that a combination of
    genetic factors and aspects of a
    person’s environment and life
    experiences may play a role in
    the development of
    schizophrenia. These
    environmental factors that may
    include living in poverty, stressful
    or dangerous surroundings, and
    exposure to viruses or nutritional
    problems before birth.

    Brain structure and


    function: Research shows that
    people with schizophrenia may
    be more likely to have
    differences in the size of certain
    brain areas and in connections
    between brain areas. Some of
    these brain differences may
    develop before birth.
    Researchers are working to
    better understand how brain
    structure and function may relate
    to schizophrenia.
    How is schizophrenia
    treated?
    Current treatments for
    schizophrenia focus on helping
    people manage their symptoms,
    improve day-to-day functioning,
    and achieve personal life goals,
    such as completing education,
    pursuing a career, and having
    fulfilling relationships.

    Antipsychotic
    medications
    Antipsychotic medications can
    help make psychotic symptoms
    less intense and less frequent.
    These medications are usually
    taken every day in a pill or liquid
    forms. Some antipsychotic
    medications are given as
    injections once or twice a month.

    Psychosocial
    treatments
    Psychosocial treatments help
    people find solutions to everyday
    challenges and manage
    symptoms while attending
    school, working, and forming
    relationships. These treatments
    are often used together with
    antipsychotic medication. People
    who participate in regular
    psychosocial treatment are less
    likely to have symptoms reoccur
    or to be hospitalized.

    Education and support


    Educational programs can help
    family and friends learn about
    symptoms of schizophrenia,
    treatment options, and strategies
    for helping loved ones with the
    illness. These programs can help
    friends and family manage their
    distress, boost their own coping
    skills, and strengthen their ability
    to provide support. The National
    Alliance on Mental Illness
    website has more information
    about support groups and
    education

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