Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling brain disease, affecting about one percent of the population. It is! SS marked by severe distortion and disorganization of thought, perception, and affect, by bizarre behavior and by social withdrawal. !” 1 Although schizophrenia has likely been around for a very long time, it wasn! |t recognized as a disease until the late 19 th century. In 1896, Emil Kraepelin, a German psychiatrist, made the first medical breakthrough in this specific disease by listing symptoms of it. Kraepelin was familiar in the field and was famed for his work with the mentally ill. The term schizophrenia was first used by Eugene B lauer to describe this disorder in 1911.
Although this word, in Greek, means, ! SSsplit mind!” , it doesn! |t mean that schizophrenics had split personalities. It refers to how schizophrenics split themselves from reality through delusions and hallucinations of the mind. There are many causes of schizophrenia and many factors that contribute to this disease. ! SS Family studies of the genetics of schizophrenia show that the more closely one is related to a schizophrenic, the more likely one is to develop schizophrenia. !” 1! SS Another cause of Schizophrenia is said to be because of severely dysfunctional and stressful family functions such as if a child lived in an environment of constant hostility and anxiety and in which there is no security. If a child has a strong genetic schizophrenic background, and the child is brought up in a bad environment, the chances of this child of contracting the disease are increased.
!” 1 There are many other causes being researched such as! SS trauma at birth, viruses or infections at an early age, trauma at an early age, chemical imbalance and protein abnormalities!” 2. There are numerous research studies being conducted to learn more about the cause of this potentially disabling disease. Schizophrenia first appears in an individual through drastic changes in behavior. During the long, often lifetime, course of this disorder, changes are very severe and shocking to loved ones. Symptoms come on suddenly and the severity of them added to the! SS long lasting, chronic pattern of schizophrenia, often causes a high degree of disability. !” 3! SS Although all individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia have lost touch with reality, there are 3 basic types of this brain disorder: 1.
Disorganized Schizophrenia-lack of emotion, disorganized speech 2. Catatonic Schizophrenia-waxy flexibility, reduced movement, rigid posture, sometimes to much movement 3. Paranoid Schizophrenia-strong delusions or hallucinations!” 2 Positive symptoms of this disease! Sidenote the presence of normal behavior!” while negative ones are! SS the absence of normal behavior!” 2 in entirety. Disorder of the mind caused by schizophrenia makes it hard for the individual to think clearly or logically. Delusions, fabricated beliefs or thoughts are very common among schizophrenics. Hallucinations, in which the person receives! SS unreal perceptions of the environment!” 3, include hearing voices, seeing or smelling things not present, and tactile hallucinations.
Often schizophrenics have poor grooming and health habits due to these factors. Negative symptoms include! SS social withdrawal, absence of emotion, and expression, reduced energy, activity, and motivation. !” 4 Symptoms of schizophrenia come worst during! SS active phases!” , when all of the above symptoms occur. Usually, schizophrenics have milder symptoms both before and after this active phase. ! SS often suffer terrifying symptoms such as hearing internal voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them.
These symptoms may leave them fearful and withdrawn. Their speech and behavior can be so disorganized that they may be incomprehensible or frightening to others. Available treatments can relieve many symptoms, but most people with schizophrenia continue to suffer some symptoms throughout their lives; it has been estimated that no more than one in five individuals recovers completely. !” 4 Schizophrenia can lead to many problems, such as, learning problems, hyperactivity, psychotic, depressed moods, sexual dysfunction, hyperactivity, guilt or obsession, odd or suspicious personality, anxious or fearful personality, and dramatic and antisocial personality. The diagnosis of schizophrenia is crucial to treatment. As with any other mental disorder it is often difficult to diagnose, as many of its symptoms can be confused with bipolar or major depressive disorder.
Anti-psychotic medications, developed in the 1950! |s are used in the treatment of schizophrenics. While these medications have been very successful in reducing symptoms of schizophrenia, they are not cures. Many people experience side effects from these medications. Hospitalization is often necessary in cases of severe schizophrenia.
Doing so ensures the individuals safety, while allowing health professions to make diagnosis about medications and the disease. Some people with schizophrenia are unable to readjust to society once his or her symptoms are controlled. Therefore, ! SS psychological therapy, family therapy, and occupational training may be used along with anti-psychotic medication to help these people get back into the community. !” 3! SS Research is gradually leading to new and safer medications and unraveling the causes of the disease. Scientists are using many approaches from the study of molecular genetics to study of populations to learn about schizophrenia. Methods of imaging the brains structure and function hold the promise of new insights into this disorder.
!” 2 The Schizophrenia HomePage- web > What is schizophrenia? Schizophrenia, a disease of the brain, is one of the most disabling and emotionally devastating illnesses known to man. But because it has been misunderstood for so long, it has received relatively little attention and its victims have been un deservingly stigmatized. Schizophrenia is not a split personality, a rare and very different disorder. Like cancer and diabetes, schizophrenia has a biological basis; it is not caused by bad parenting or personal weakness. Schizophrenia is, in fact, a relatively common disease, with an estimated one percent to one and a half percent of the U.
S. population being diagnosed with it over the course of their lives. While there is no known cure for schizophrenia, it is a very treatable disease. Most of those afflicted by schizophrenia respond to drug therapy, and many are able to lead productive and fulfilling lives. What are its symptoms? Schizophrenia is characterized by a constellation of distinctive and predictable symptoms. The symptoms that are most commonly associated with the disease are called positive symptoms, that denote the presence of grossly abnormal behavior.
These include thought disorder, delusions, and hallucinations. Thought disorder is the diminished ability to think clearly and logically. Often it is manifested by disconnected and nonsensical language that renders the person with schizophrenia incapable of participating in conversation, contributing to his alienation from his family, friends, and society. Delusions are common among individuals with schizophrenia. An affected person may believe that he is being conspired against (called “paranoid delusion”). “Broadcasting” describes a type of delusion in which the individual with this illness believes that his thoughts can be heard by others.
Hallucinations can be heard, seen, or even felt; most often they take the form of voices heard only by the afflicted person. Such voices may describe the person’s actions, warn him of danger or tell him what to do. At times the individual may hear several voices carrying on a conversation. Less obvious than the “positive symptoms” but equally serious are the deficit or negative symptoms that represent the absence of normal behavior. These include flat or blunted affect (i. e.
lack of emotional expression), apathy, and social withdrawal). Who gets it? While schizophrenia can affect anyone at any point in life, it is somewhat more common in those persons who are genetically predisposed to the disease. The first psychotic episode generally occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood. Genetic Link — The probability of developing schizophrenia as the offspring of two parents, neither of whom has the disease, is 1 percent. — The probability of developing schizophrenia as the offspring of one parent with the disease is approximately 13 percent. — The probability of developing schizophrenia as the offspring of both parents with the disease is approximately 35 percent.
Onset by Age — Three-quarters of persons with schizophrenia develop the disease between 16 and 25 years of age. — Onset is uncommon after age 30, and rare after age 40. Onset by Sex — In the 16-25 year old age group, schizophrenia affects more men than women. — In the 25-30 year old group, the incidence is higher in women than in men. What is the course of the disease? Studies have shown that some persons with schizophrenia recover completely, and many others improve to the point where they can live independently, often with the maintenance of drug therapy. Fortunately, this accounts for the majority of cases.
However, approximately 15 percent of people with schizophrenia respond only moderately to medication and require extensive support throughout their lives, while another 15 percent simply do not respond to existing treatment. New therapies may offer hope for the treatment of these most seriously affected sufferers. How is it treated? Hospitalization is often necessary in cases of acute schizophrenia. This ensures the safety of the affected person, while allowing for observation by trained mental health professionals to determine whether schizophrenia is the appropriate diagnosis. Hospitalization also allows for the initiation of medication under close supervision. Antipsychotic drugs (also called neuroleptic’s), available since the 1950 s, can dramatically improve the functioning of people with schizophrenia.
Once the most troubling symptoms are controlled by medication, the person often does not require hospitalization. Depending on the seriousness of the disease, the person may utilize day programs, rehabilitation facilities, and be treated in an outpatient setting. This allows the psychiatrist to adjust medication dosages as necessary over the course of the disease. The person may also need assistance in readjusting to society once his or her symptoms are controlled. Supportive counseling or psychotherapy may be appropriate for these individuals as a source of friendship, encouragement, and practical advice during this process. Relatives and friends can also assist in rebuilding the person’s social skills.
Such support is very important Neuroscience for kids- schizophrenia web > First, let’s discuss what schizophrenia is not. People who are schizophrenic do NOT have multiple personalities. In 1911, Eugen Bl euler, first used the word “schizophrenia.” Although the word schizophrenia does come from the Greek words meaning “split” and “mind,” schizophrenics do not have split personalities. This misunderstanding has caused many people to misuse the term schizophrenia.
The “split mind” refers to the way that schizophrenics are split off from reality; schizophrenics cannot tell w hat is real and what is not real. Who has schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental illnesses. About 1 of every 100 people (1% of the population) is affected by schizophrenia. This disorder is found throughout the world and in all races and cultures.
Schizophrenia affects men and women in equal numbers, although on average, men appear to develop schizophrenia earlier than women. Generally, men show the first signs of schizophrenia in their mid 20 s and women show the first signs in their late 20 s. Schizophrenia has a tremendous cost to society, estimated at $32. 5 billion per year in the US (statistic from Brain Facts, Society for Neuroscience, 1997). What are the symptoms of schizophrenia? The behavior of people with schizophrenia is often very strange and shocking.
This change in behavior, when people cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is not, is called “psychosis” or a “psychotic episode.” The American Psychiatric Association has published guidelines that are used to classify people with mental disorders. The most recent guidelines are contained in a book called the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (known as DSM-IV for short). The DSM-IV describes several symptoms that a person MUST have before he or she is classified as having schizophrenia. These symptoms include two or more of the following behaviors for a duration of at least one month: Delusions – bizarre, false beliefs These beliefs seem real to the person with schizophrenia, but they are not real. For example, a person may believe that aliens or spies are controlling his or her behavior, mind and thoughts.
Sometimes these delusions can be paranoid in nature. People with paranoia have an unreal fear or suspicion that someone is “out to get them.” Delusions may also be of grandiosity. In these cases, people believe that they are someone important, such as a president, king or prime minister. Hallucinations – bizarre, unreal perceptions of the environment These hallucinations can be: Auditory (hearing voices) – sometimes the “voices” tell a person to do something Visual (seeing lights, objects or faces) Olfactory (smelling things) Tactile (for example, feelings that bugs are crawling on or under the skin) Disorganized Thinking/Speech Abnormal thoughts are usually measured by disorganized speech. People with schizophrenia speak very little; others have speech that is disjointed.
Sometimes the person will change the topic midway through a sentence. Negative Symptoms – the absence of normal behavior Delusions, hallucinations and abnormal speech indicate the presence of abnormal behavior. Negative symptoms include social withdrawal, absence of emotion and expression, reduced energy, motivation and activity. Sometimes schizophrenics have poor hygiene and grooming habits.
Catatonia – immobility and “waxy flexibility” Catatonia is a negative symptom where people become fixed in a single position for a long period of time. “Waxy flexibility” describes how a person’s arms will remain frozen in a particular position if they are moved by someone else. When people show any of these five symptoms, they are considered to be in the “active phase” of the disorder. Often schizophrenics have milder symptoms before and after the active phase. There are three basic types of schizophrenia. All people who have schizophrenia have lost touch with reality.
The three main types of schizophrenia are: Disorganized Schizophrenia (previously called “hebephrenia schizophrenia”) – lack of emotion, disorganized speech Catatonic Schizophrenia – waxy flexibility, reduced movement, rigid posture, sometimes too much movement Paranoid Schizophrenia – strong delusions or hallucinations What occurs in the brain? A common finding in the brains of people with schizophrenia is larger than normal lateral ventricles. The lateral ventricles are part of the ventricular system that contains cerebrospinal fluid. What are the causes of schizophrenia? There are probably multiple causes for schizophrenia and scientists do not know all of the factors that produce this mental disorder. Schizophrenia does “run in the family.” In other words, schizophrenia has an important genetic component. Evidence for a genetic component comes from twin studies. Monozygotic twins (identical twins) are those with exactly the same genetic makeup; dizygotic twins (fraternal twins) are those who share only half of their genetic makeup.
If genetics was the ONLY factor in developing schizophrenia, then both monozygotic twins should always develop this illness. Nongenetic factors that may influence the development of schizophrenia include: family stress, poor social interactions, infections or viruses at an early age, or trauma at an early age. Somehow the genetic makeup of individuals combines with nongenetic (environmental) factors to cause schizophrenia. Medication Drugs to treat schizophrenia are called antipsychotic medications. This type of drug was first developed in the 1950 s. They have proved to be highly successful in treating the symptoms of schizophrenia.
The different types of antipsychotics work best on different symptoms of the disorders and are not addictive. The drugs are not a cure for the disease, but they do reduce the symptoms. Associated Features “h Learning Problem Hypo activity “h Psychotic Euphoric Mood “h Depressed Mood Somatic/Sexual Dysfunction “h Hyperactivity Guilt/Obsession “h Sexually Deviant Behavior Odd/Eccentric/Suspicious Personality “h Anxious/Fearful/Dependent Personality Dramatic/Erratic/Antisocial Personality Schizophrenia Overview Our understanding of schizophrenia has evolved since its symptoms were first catalogued by German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin in the late 19 th century (Andreas en, 1997 a). Even though the cause of this disorder remains elusive, its frightening symptoms and biological correlates have come to be quite well defined. Yet misconceptions abound about symptoms: schizophrenia is neither! SSsplit personality!” nor! SS multiple personality. !” Furthermore, people with schizophrenia are not perpetually incoherent or psychotic web > Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disease.
Approximately 1 percent of the population develops schizophrenia during their lifetime! V more than 2 million Americans suffer from the illness in a given year. Although schizophrenia affects men and women with equal frequency, the disorder often appears earlier in men, usually in the late teens or early twenties, than in women, who are generally affected in the twenties to early thirties. People with schizophrenia often suffer terrifying symptoms such as hearing internal voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. These symptoms may leave them fearful and withdrawn. Their speech and behavior can be so disorganized that they may be incomprehensible or frightening to others.
Available treatments can relieve many symptoms, but most people with schizophrenia continue to suffer some symptoms throughout their lives; it has been estimated that no more than one in five individuals recovers completely. This is a time of hope for people with schizophrenia and their families. Research is gradually leading to new and safer medications and unraveling the complex causes of the disease. Scientists are using many approaches from the study of molecular genetics to the study of populations to learn about schizophrenia. Methods of imaging the brain! |s structure and function hold the promise of new insights into the disorder. Schizophrenia As An Illness Schizophrenia is found all over the world.
The severity of the symptoms and long-lasting, chronic pattern of schizophrenia often cause a high degree of disability. Medications and other treatments for schizophrenia, when used regularly and as prescribed, can help reduce and control the distressing symptoms of the illness. However, some people are not greatly helped by available treatments or may prematurely discontinue treatment because of unpleasant side effects or other reasons. Even when treatment is effective, persisting consequences of the illness! V lost opportunities, stigma, residual symptoms, and medication side effects! V may be very troubling. The first signs of schizophrenia often appear as confusing, or even shocking, changes in behavior. Coping with the symptoms of schizophrenia can be especially difficult for family members who remember how involved or vivacious a person was before they became ill.
The sudden onset of severe psychotic symptoms is referred to as an! SS acute!” phase of schizophrenia. ! SS Psychosis, !” a common condition in schizophrenia, is a state of mental impairment marked by hallucinations, which are disturbances of sensory perception, and / or delusions, which are false yet strongly held personal beliefs that result from an inability to separate real from unreal experiences. Less obvious symptoms, such as social isolation or withdrawal, or unusual speech, thinking, or behavior, may precede, be seen along with, or follow the psychotic symptoms. Some people have only one such psychotic episode; others have many episodes during a lifetime, but lead relatively normal lives during the interim periods.
However, the individual with! SS chronic!” schizophrenia, or a continuous or recurring pattern of illness, often does not fully recover normal functioning and typically requires long-term treatment, generally including medication, to control the symptoms. Making a Diagnosis It is important to rule out other illnesses, as sometimes people suffer severe mental symptoms or even psychosis due to undetected underlying medical conditions. For this reason, a medical history should be taken and a physical examination and laboratory tests should be done to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms before concluding that a person has schizophrenia. In addition, since commonly abused drugs may cause symptoms resembling schizophrenia, blood or urine samples from the person can be tested at hospitals or physicians! | offices for the presence of these drugs. At times, it is difficult to tell one mental disorder from another.
For instance, some people with symptoms of schizophrenia exhibit prolonged extremes of elated or depressed mood, and it is important to determine whether such a patient has schizophrenia or actually has a manic-depressive (or bipolar) disorder or major depressive disorder. Persons whose symptoms cannot be clearly categorized are sometimes diagnosed as having a! SSschizoaffective disorder. !”.