Schizophrenia | Symptoms | Causes | Prevention | Complications | Treatment

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 require lifelong treatment. Early treatment may help get symptoms under control before serious complications develop and may help improve the long-term outlook.

People with schizophrenia may have the following symptoms : Behavioural: Social Isolation, Disorganised Behaviour, Aggression, Agitation, Compulsive behaviour, Excitability, Hostility, Repetitive movements, Self-harm, or lack of restraint Cognitive: Thought disorder, Delusion, Amnesia, Belief that an ordinary event has special and personal meaning, Belief that thoughts aren't one's own, Disorientation, mental confusion, Slowness in activity, or False belief of superiority Mood: Anger, Anxiety, Apathy, Feeling detached from self, General discontent, Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, elevated mood, or Inappropriate emotional response Psychological: Hallucination, Paranoia, Hearing voices, Depression, Fear, Persecutory delusion, or Religious delusion Speech: Circumstantial speech, Incoherent speech, rapid and frenzied speaking, or speech disorder

Also common: fatigue, impaired motor coordination, lack of emotional response, or memory loss Causes It's not known what causes schizophrenia, but researchers believe that a combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environment contributes to development of the disorder.

Prevention There's no sure way to prevent schizophrenia, but sticking with the treatment plan can help prevent relapses or worsening of symptoms. In addition, researchers hope that learning more about risk factors for schizophrenia may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment. Complications Left untreated, schizophrenia can result in severe problems that affect every area of life. Complications that schizophrenia may cause or be associated with include:

What is the best treatment for schizophrenia? Clozapine is the most effective antipsychotic in terms of managing treatment-resistant schizophrenia. This drug is approximately 30% effective in controlling schizophrenic episodes in treatment-resistant patients, compared with a 4% efficacy rate with the combination of chlorpromazine and benztropine.

How can you treat someone who has schizophrenia? If you are the family, friend or carer of someone with schizophrenia, these are some things you can do to help: 1. Focus on the person’s strengths – the things they enjoy or are good at. Keep reminding them that they have a role as a member of their family and community.

2. Consider doing a family psychoeducation program. This is a chance to learn about the illness, how to communicate better and how to deal with problems. Ask someone from the health-care team about psychoeducation programs near you. 3. If you cannot join a psychoeducation program, consider making an appointment with a psychologist to learn more about schizophrenia and how you can help the person.

Things that do not help Do not constantly remind them to take medication. Instead make a mutual plan to work together to overcome forgetfulness, and to set up a routine to follow. One thing that you should always keep in mind while dealing with someone who has any sort of mental disorder, is to be patient. They may resist treatment, be rude to you, or in much worse cases, may even try to get violent. In situations like these you should consider getting professional help, so as to ensure yours as well as the patient's safety.

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