Schizophrenia

 

                                                                   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