Schizophrenia
Do you have a loved one with a mental disorder ?
What is schizophrenia ?
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard to:
Tell the difference between what is real and not real
Think clearly
Have normal emotional responses
- Act normally in social situations
Causes
Symptoms
Schizophrenia symptoms usually develop slowly over months or even years. The amount of symptoms you may have constantly changes; one minute you can only have one and the next minute you may experience three (it all depends).
People with any of the three types of schizophrenia all may have trouble working and being social. People diagnosed with schizophrenia also experience anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
First you may experience the following symptoms:
Irritable or tense feeling
Trouble concentrating
Trouble sleeping
And as the illness continues to settle, you may have problems with thinking, emotions, and behavior, including:
Bizarre behaviors
Hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
Isolation
Lack of emotion (flat affect)
Problems paying attention
Strongly held beliefs that are not real (delusions)
Thoughts that "jump" between different topics (“loose associations”)
The Three Different types of Schizophrenia and their Symptoms
Paranoid Schizophrenia
Symptoms of Paranoid schizophrenia include; anxiety, or arguing, and false beliefs that others are trying to harm you or your loved ones. Read more at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/paranoid-schizophrenia/DS00862
Disorganized Schizophrenia
Disorganized schizophrenia symptoms include; childlike behavior, problems thinking and explaining your ideas clearly, and showing little emotion. Read More at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/disorganized-schizophrenia/DS00864
Catatonic Schizophrenia
Catatonic schizophrenia symptoms include grimacing or other odd expressions on the face, lack of activity, and rigid muscles and posture, and not responding much to other people. Read more at http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/catatonic-schizophrenia/DS00863
Test and Signs
There are no medical tests to diagnose schizophrenia.
Talking to a psychiatrist is important to make the diagnosis. The diagnosis is made based on an interview of you and your family members.
The health care provider will ask questions about:
How long the symptoms have lasted
How the ability to function has changed
Developmental background
Genetic and family history
How well medications have worked
Brain scans (such as CT or MRI) and blood tests may help rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms.
Antipsychotic Medications
Antipsychotic medications are the most effective treatment for people with schizophrenia. The medications change the balance of chemicals in the brain and can help ease and control symptoms.
Although, these medication do help with treating schizophrenia; they have side effects and while taking medications you should still seek treatment in other forms.
Common side effects from antipsychotic medication include:
Dizziness
Feelings of restlessness or "jitters"
Sleepiness (sedation)
Slowed movements
Tremor
Weight gain
Support Groups and Therapies
It is important that the person with schizophrenia learns how to:
Take medications correctly and manage side effects
Notice the early signs of a relapse and what to do if symptoms return
Cope with symptoms that occur even while taking medication (a therapist can help)
Manage money
Use public transportation
Prevention
There's no way to prevent schizophrenia.
You can prevent symptoms by taking your medication exactly as your doctor prescribes Although like many serious illnesses, schizophrenia symptoms will return if you stop taking your medication. If you are thinking about stopping or wanting to switch medication you must contact your doctor. It is important also to see your doctor or therapist regularly.
** The relationship between a person effected with schizophrenia and their doctor/therapist is important! **