SCHIZOPHRENIA

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Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain in which the person has lost touch with reality, and has symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, and bizarre beliefs. A person with schizophrenia has only one personality. The ‘split’ refers to the fact that their thinking, feeling, and behavior may not be consistent/congruent with one another (e.g., laughing while recollecting a sad story).

Schizophrenia sometimes can cause a person to behave violently, but not all with schizophrenia are violent. It is only a small minority of violent persons. Even these people are not violent all the time; they may become violent mostly when they are very ill. After a proper diagnosis and appropriate medication, a person with schizophrenia is no more or less violent than a person who does not have the disorder. Improved patients who are on treatment are no more dangerous than the general population.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia –:

The symptoms are classified into 5 types Behavioural, cognitive, mood, psychological, speech

1. Behavioural: social isolation, disorganized behavior, aggression, agitation, compulsive behavior, excitability, hostility, repetitive movements, self-harm, or lack of restraint
2. Cognitive: thought disorder, delusion, amnesia, belief that an ordinary event has a special and personal meaning, belief that thoughts aren’t one’s own, disorientation, mental confusion, slowness in activity, or false belief of superiority
3. Mood: anger, anxiety, apathy, feeling detached from self, general discontent, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, elevated mood, or inappropriate emotional response
4. Psychological: hallucination, paranoia, hearing voices, depression, fear, persecutory delusion, or religious delusion
5. Speech: circumstantial speech, incoherent speech, rapid and frenzied speaking, or speech disorder

• Also common: are fatigue, impaired motor coordination, lack of emotional response, or memory loss.
• Triggers may include:
• stress
• drug misuse
• chronic alcohol use

Causes of schizophrenia –:

1. Genetics
2. Structural changes in the brain
3. Chemical changes in the brain
4. Pregnancy or birth complications
5. Childhood trauma
6. Previous drug use

Can you prevent schizophrenia?

Researchers don’t completely understand what causes schizophrenia, there’s no sure way to prevent it. However, if you’ve been diagnosed with this disorder, following your treatment plan can reduce the likelihood of relapse or worsening symptoms.

Do People with schizophrenia need to be cared for in a hospital ?

Not all people with schizophrenia need to be hospitalized. The family can care for the person at home, by understanding the disorder and learning what kind of support the person needs, while diligently following the advice of the mental health professionals.

Is schizophrenia caused by bad parenting or abuse during childhood ?

Schizophrenia is not caused by bad parenting or abuse. The occurrence of schizophrenia is linked to the structure of the brain, and other risk factors: genetic, physical, emotional, and social. Adolescence is a period where some structural changes take place in the brain. One of the theories is that due to some faulty disruption that happens in the brain during adolescence, the teenager may be more vulnerable to developing the illness if other risk factors are also present.

When to seek help ?

If you believe you or a loved one is showing signs of schizophrenia, it’s important to seek immediate treatment.
Keep these steps in mind as you seek help or encourage someone else to find help.

1. Remember that schizophrenia is a biological illness. Treating it is as important as treating any other illness.
2. Find a support system. Find a network you can rely on or help your loved one find one they can tap into for guidance. This includes friends, family, colleagues, and healthcare providers.
3. Check for support groups in your community. Your local hospital may host one, or they can help connect you to one.
4. Encourage continuing treatment. Therapy and medications help people lead productive and rewarding lives. You should encourage a loved one to continue treatment plans.

Treatment –:

Treatment includes medications and therapies –:

1. Medications – Antipsychotic and Anti-Tremor
2. Therapies – Support group, Rehabilitation, Cognitive therapy, Psychoeducation, Family therapy, Behaviour therapy, and Group psychotherapy

Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition. However, properly treating and managing your symptoms can help you live a fulfilling life. Recognizing strengths and abilities will help you to find activities and careers that interest you. Finding support among family, friends, and professionals can help you to reduce worsening symptoms and manage challenges.