Schizophrenia
Mental Illness
What is Schizophrenia?
Found in an old asylum, made by a paranoid schizophrenic
Notice the variety of moods, the creatures growing out of this man's head represents the confusion schizophrenia can sometimes bring.
A normal brain, beside a schizophrenic brain.
Symptoms
- "Negative" symptoms make it difficult to show emotions and function normally. A person may seem depressed and withdrawn.
- Cognitive symptoms affect the thought process. These include trouble using information, making decisions, and paying attention.
- 'Flat affect' (reduced expression of emotions via facial expression and voice tone.)
- Reduced feelings of pleasure in everyday life.
- Trouble focusing or paying attention.
Causes
- Exposure to viruses
- Malnutrition before birth
- Problems during birth
- Psychological factors
- Different brain chemistry and structure: scientists think than an imbalance in complex, interrelated chemical reactions of the brain involving the neurotransmitters (substances that brain cells use to communicate with each other) dopamine and glutamate, and possibly others, plays a role in schizophrenia.
- Brain development and puberty can trigger psychotic symptoms in people who are vulnerable do to genetics or brain differences.