Introduction to Schizophrenia
Hearing voices? Mind playing tricks? What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and often disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history and all around the world. Research has shown that schizophrenia affects men and women equally, and it occurs in similar rates in all ethnic groups around the world, affecting approximately 1% of the population.
Approximately 1% of Asians and Asian Americans will meet the criteria for schizophrenia.
People with schizophrenia have psychotic symptoms. They may hear voices other people don't hear. They may believe that other people can read their minds, can control their thoughts, or are plotting to harm them. They can act very suspicious, paranoid, and frightened. Some people affected by schizophrenia can become very withdrawn or very agitated. Sometimes they may not make sense when they talk - their thoughts can be very disorganized.
Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and often disabling brain disorder that has affected people throughout history and all around the world. Research has shown that schizophrenia affects men and women equally, and it occurs in similar rates in all ethnic groups around the world, affecting approximately 1% of the population.
Approximately 1% of Asians and Asian Americans will meet the criteria for schizophrenia.
People with schizophrenia have psychotic symptoms. They may hear voices other people don't hear. They may believe that other people can read their minds, can control their thoughts, or are plotting to harm them. They can act very suspicious, paranoid, and frightened. Some people affected by schizophrenia can become very withdrawn or very agitated. Sometimes they may not make sense when they talk - their thoughts can be very disorganized.
Understanding Schizophrenia
Symptoms of schizophrenia differ from person to person and can fluctuate over time. When the disease is active, it can be characterized by episodes in which the patient is unable to distinguish between real and unreal experiences.
There are several subtypes of schizophrenia. The symptoms fall into three categories:
When do the symptoms usually appear?
Symptoms usually first appear in ealry adulthood. Men often experience symptoms in their early 20s, and women typically first show signs of schizophrenia in their late 20s and early 30s.
What causes schizophrenia?
It is thought that a number of biological and environmental factors play a role in schizophrenia's onset and course. However, we do not yet know which factors produce the illness. Because of the variations in symptoms, many believe that schizophrenia may represent a group of disorders. Although the cause of schizophrenia has not been identified, scientists believe there is some hereditary basis or genetic predisposition for the disease because it runs in families.
Is there a cure for schizophrenia?
There is no cure for schizophrenia, but researchers are working on developing more effective medications, and they are using new research tools to learn more about the causes of schizophrenia. Current treatments that are available help reduce the intensity and frequency of the symptoms. While some people with schizophrenia cope with symptoms throughout their lives, many people can benefit from medication and psychosocial treatments, which allow them to lead highly productive and meaningful lives. Fortunately, when the symptoms of schizophrenia are treated properly, a large portion of those diagnosed will greatly improve over time.
Antipsychotic medications are helpful in reducing the psychotic symptoms present in the acute phase of the illness, and they have also been shown to help reduce the potential for future acute episodes. Before treatment can begin, however, a psychiatrist should conduct a thorough medical examination to rule out substance abuse and other medical illnesses whose symptoms can present like schizophrenia.
Are people with schizophrenia violent?
Most people with schizophrenia are not dangerous or violent. They are not necessarily homeless, nor do they have to live in state psychiatric hospitals. The majority of people with schizophrenia reside with family, in group homes, or on their own.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
After the acute symptoms of schizophrenia are controlled, therapy can help people learn social skills, cope with stress, identify early warning signs of relapse, and prolong periods of remission. Because schizophrenia tends to strike in early adulthood, individuals with the disorder need rehabilitation to help develop life-management skills, complete vocational or educational training, and hold a job. For example, supported-employment programs have been found to help persons with schizophrenia obtain self-sufficiency.
Many people living with schizophrenia receive emotional and material support from their family. Therefore, it is important that families be provided with education and assistance managing their relative’s disease. Family therapy has been shown to help prevent relapses and improve the overall mental health of the family members as well as the person with schizophrenia.
People with schizophrenia may receive rehabilitation services on an individual basis, in the community, or in a hospital or clinic. When living alone or with family is not an option, supportive housing is often available in the form of halfway or group houses, as well as monitored cooperative apartments.
With an improved understanding of the disease and effective therapies, those with schizophrenia can have a full life, hold a job, and live in the community or with their family.
For additional information, please visit:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia.shtml
http://www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Schizophrenia.aspx
There are several subtypes of schizophrenia. The symptoms fall into three categories:
- Positive symptoms: Hallucinations (e.g., hearing voices); paranoid delusions; exaggerated or distorted perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors
- Negative symptoms: A loss or decrease in the ability to initiate plans, speak, express emotion, or find pleasure
- Cognitive symptoms: Confused and disordered speech; problems with memory; trouble with logical thinking; difficulty paying attention and making decisions
When do the symptoms usually appear?
Symptoms usually first appear in ealry adulthood. Men often experience symptoms in their early 20s, and women typically first show signs of schizophrenia in their late 20s and early 30s.
What causes schizophrenia?
It is thought that a number of biological and environmental factors play a role in schizophrenia's onset and course. However, we do not yet know which factors produce the illness. Because of the variations in symptoms, many believe that schizophrenia may represent a group of disorders. Although the cause of schizophrenia has not been identified, scientists believe there is some hereditary basis or genetic predisposition for the disease because it runs in families.
Is there a cure for schizophrenia?
There is no cure for schizophrenia, but researchers are working on developing more effective medications, and they are using new research tools to learn more about the causes of schizophrenia. Current treatments that are available help reduce the intensity and frequency of the symptoms. While some people with schizophrenia cope with symptoms throughout their lives, many people can benefit from medication and psychosocial treatments, which allow them to lead highly productive and meaningful lives. Fortunately, when the symptoms of schizophrenia are treated properly, a large portion of those diagnosed will greatly improve over time.
Antipsychotic medications are helpful in reducing the psychotic symptoms present in the acute phase of the illness, and they have also been shown to help reduce the potential for future acute episodes. Before treatment can begin, however, a psychiatrist should conduct a thorough medical examination to rule out substance abuse and other medical illnesses whose symptoms can present like schizophrenia.
Are people with schizophrenia violent?
Most people with schizophrenia are not dangerous or violent. They are not necessarily homeless, nor do they have to live in state psychiatric hospitals. The majority of people with schizophrenia reside with family, in group homes, or on their own.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
After the acute symptoms of schizophrenia are controlled, therapy can help people learn social skills, cope with stress, identify early warning signs of relapse, and prolong periods of remission. Because schizophrenia tends to strike in early adulthood, individuals with the disorder need rehabilitation to help develop life-management skills, complete vocational or educational training, and hold a job. For example, supported-employment programs have been found to help persons with schizophrenia obtain self-sufficiency.
Many people living with schizophrenia receive emotional and material support from their family. Therefore, it is important that families be provided with education and assistance managing their relative’s disease. Family therapy has been shown to help prevent relapses and improve the overall mental health of the family members as well as the person with schizophrenia.
People with schizophrenia may receive rehabilitation services on an individual basis, in the community, or in a hospital or clinic. When living alone or with family is not an option, supportive housing is often available in the form of halfway or group houses, as well as monitored cooperative apartments.
With an improved understanding of the disease and effective therapies, those with schizophrenia can have a full life, hold a job, and live in the community or with their family.
For additional information, please visit:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia.shtml
http://www.healthyminds.org/Main-Topic/Schizophrenia.aspx
Success Story
Elyn Saks, Yale-educated lawyer and author of The Center Cannot Hold, recently was awarded a genius grant from the MacArthur Foundation. Please watch this YouTube video, in which Elyn Saks talks about her experience with mental illness. Video thanks to FredFriendlySeminars.