Schizophrenia: What is It?

Schizophrenia: Any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and may have an underlying genetic cause.

Schizophrenia is a very serious mental disorder that affects around 1.1 percent of the American population. These individuals that have this disorder range anywhere from 18 years of age and beyond. The severity of this disorder can range anywhere from minor to major, and major cases are either in a mental hospital or are dead from suicide.

One of the most famous schizophrenias is John Nash (he has paranoid schizophrenia), who was very lucky in his diagnosis. Not all Americans receive a proper diagnosis because there are several people out there that have a minor case of schizophrenia, and therefore, do not seek treatment because they do not know they have it (or are to afraid to seek treatment because of family, friends, peers, etc).

There are five types of schizophrenia: Paranoid schizophrenia, disorganized schizophrenia, catatonic schizophrenia, residual schizophrenia, and undifferentiated subtype. Paranoid schizophrenia is the most common, and probably the most difficult to diagnosis. Individuals with paranoid schizophrenia look like your common, everyday person until they are so disturbed they have no choice but to seek help.

Disorganized schizophrenia is the second most common, and is easier to diagnosis. Ones with this diagnosis feel disorganized and act disorganized. Usually, this is characterized by their speech, behavior patterns, inappropriate emotions, and reactions to everyday life. Their thought patterns are also very “disorganized” because they tend to bounce from one subject to another without finishing their thoughts. In many cases, people with this type of schizophrenia are diagnosis with ADD, ADHD, Aspergers syndrome, etc. This does not solve the problem, and therefore, they go untreated.

There are several symptoms to schizophrenia, and they differ in everyone. They are categorized as POSTIVE or NEGATIVE symptoms. The common symptoms are:

POSTIVE SYMPTOMS

·        Delusions
·        Hallucinations
·        Disorganized speech/thinking
·        Grossly disorganized behavior
·        Catatonic behaviors

NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS:

·        Affective flattening
·        Poverty of speech
·        Avolition

If you know anyone with these symptoms, it is vitally important that they seek medical attention, even if you have to make them

There are several kinds of medications for schizophrenia. There are two types of medications for schizophrenia: The traditional antipsychotic medications and the new version “atypical” antipsychotic medication. The common medications for schizophrenia are (thanks to schizophrenia.com):

·        Aripiprazole (Abilify)
·        Clozapine (Clozaril)
·        Ziprasidone (Geodon)
·        Resperidone (Risperdal)
·        Quetiapine (Seroquel)
·        Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

One can also use therapy and alternative medications for schizophrenia. Therapy is almost always recommended for the victims, and the victims should take this advice not as a request but an “order.” Therapy has shown that it can help because the victims can talk about what they see/hear/feel/etc. Alternative medications/therapy are not always recommended, but if the person on the medication(s) does not improve, the family/friends should consider:

Cognitive Therapy
Behavior Therapy
* Stress Management Training
* Assertiveness Training
* Communication Skills Training
* Problem Solving Skills
Cognitive Family Therapy
Electroconvulsive Therapy
PSHYCOSURGURY IS NOT RECOMMEDED!
There are also several groups one could join where more people with schizophrenia gather and relate their problems.

Keep in mind: 1.1 percent of the American population has some form of schizophrenia. Now, that percent may seem small, but it is very large. Never forget that you are not alone in your problems, and you can talk to people that have this problem. There are also groups where families of the schizophrenia can talk about their loved one.

One more thing: Never loose hope. There is always hope, even if it seems that there is none.