Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in
which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some
combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and
behavior that impairs daily functioning and can be disabling. People with
schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality, which causes
significant distress for the individual, their family members, and friends. If
left untreated, the symptoms of schizophrenia can be persistent and
disabling. The symptoms usually emerge
when a person is between their late teens and early 30s. They tend to develop
earlier in males than in females. Schizophrenia affects different people in
different ways, but there are some common symptoms. These include confused
speech that is hard for others to understand lack of facial expression, lack of
emotional expression, lack of motivation, difficulty concentrating, psychosis,
such as delusions and hallucinations. Causes of schizophrenia are genetic
factor If there is no history of schizophrenia in a family, the chances of
developing it are less than 1%. A chemical imbalance in the brain Schizophrenia
appears to develop when there is an imbalance of a neurotransmitter called
dopamine, and possibly also serotonin, in the brain. Environmental factors that
may increase the risk of schizophrenia include trauma during birth,
malnutrition before birth, viral infections, psychosocial factors, such as
trauma. There is no diagnostic test to assess for schizophrenia. A doctor will
diagnose it by observing how the person behaves. They will also ask about their
history of physical and mental health. There is some important treatment for
schizophrenia they are as follows:
1.
Antipsychotic drug: These can be for daily use or for less frequent use if the
person opts for injectable medications, which can last up to 3 months between
injections. Antipsychotic medications can help reduce the intensity and
frequency of psychotic symptoms. They are usually taken daily in pill or liquid
forms. Some antipsychotic medications are given as injections once or twice a
month, which some individuals find to be more convenient than daily oral doses.
Many people taking antipsychotic medications have side effects such as weight
gain, dry mouth, restlessness, and drowsiness when they start taking these
medications. Some of these side effects subside over time, but others may
persist, which may cause some people to consider stopping their antipsychotic
medication. Suddenly stopping medication can be dangerous and it can make
schizophrenia symptoms worse. People should not stop taking antipsychotic
medication without talking to a health care provider first.
2.
Counseling and family education: This can help a person develop coping skills
and pursue their life goals. Family-based services may be provided on an
individual basis or through multi-family workshops and support groups.
3.
Coordinated special care: This integrates medication, family involvement, and
education services in a holistic approach. Coordinated specialty care is a
general term used to describe recovery-oriented treatment programs for people
with first episode psychosis, an early stage of schizophrenia.
4.
Psychosocial treatments: It can be helpful for teaching and improving coping
skills to address the everyday challenges of schizophrenia. They can help
people pursue their life goals, such as attending school, working, or forming
relationships. Individuals who participate in regular psychosocial treatment
are less likely to relapse or be hospitalized.
Reference:
American
Psychiatric Association, Schizophrenia
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia,
Accessed by, October 18, 2020
Schizophrenia,
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443,
Accessed by, October 18, 2020
Rethink mental illness,
https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-mental-illness/learn-more-about-conditions/schiz,
Accessed by October 18, 2020
