Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that usually involves distortions of reality and hallucinations, and severely affects a person’s perception of environmental factors, thinking, and behavior. Fortunately, this disease is not very common, and according to studies, only about one percent of the world’s population suffers from this disorder.
In some cases, this disorder is mistakenly referred to as dissociative identity disorder or split personality. This is not correct and the two diseases are completely different. Schizophrenia is equally likely to affect men and women, and it can occur at any age.
However, men often experience the condition in their late teens and early 20s, while schizophrenia typically appears in women in their late 20s and early 30s. In this article, you will learn about the symptoms, treatment options, and causes of the condition. Just stay with us!
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a psychiatric illness that has severe effects on a person’s physical and mental health. It disrupts brain function and affects thoughts, memory, emotions, and behavior. As a result, a person may have difficulty in many areas of their daily life.
Untreated schizophrenia disrupts the patient’s professional, social, and romantic relationship. It also causes the person to have difficulty organizing their thoughts and behave in a way that exposes them to all kinds of harm or illness.
This illness is usually diagnosed in the late teens to early 30s. In men, symptoms begin in the late teens to early 20s, and in women, in the late 20s to early 30s. However, about 20 percent of schizophrenia cases occur in people over the age of 45. In most cases, schizophrenia does not begin in childhood. When it does occur in childhood, it causes more severe symptoms and is difficult to treat.
Symptoms of schizophrenia
The symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into three groups: primary symptoms, positive symptoms, and negative symptoms.
Early symptoms
The first symptoms of schizophrenia are usually seen in the teenage years and early 20s and are often attributed to normal teenage behaviors and problems. As a result, these symptoms often go unnoticed. Early symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- Isolationism;
- Constantly changing friends or social groups;
- Decreased concentration;
- Sleep problems;
- Irritability;
- Weakening academic performance.
Positive sign
Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are behaviors that are not generally seen in healthy people; therefore, the attribution of this attribute to symptoms does not mean that they are desirable or pleasant. Essentially, what is meant is that after some time, these symptoms may also be added to the initial symptoms and affect the person’s life and social relationships. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- Illusion
Hallucinations are experiences that are not actually there and are created by the person’s mind. These include hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting, or generally feeling things that are not there in reality and that people around them cannot experience. It is important to note that auditory and visual hallucinations are more common among people with schizophrenia than other conditions.
- Delusion
According to studies, the vast majority of schizophrenia patients experience delusions. This means holding irrational and unrealistic beliefs. The most common types of delusions associated with this disorder include:
- A person with schizophrenia believes that relatives and acquaintances are trying to harm him.
- A person with schizophrenia misinterprets all natural events and normal behaviors of those around them, considers them to have a special meaning and attributes them to themselves.
- During delusions, a person with schizophrenia considers themselves to be a very important person and often thinks they have supernatural powers.
- During delusional attacks, a person with schizophrenia believes that they are under the control of an alien person or group.
- Intellectual disorders
People with this condition are characterized by unusual ways of thinking or processing information. These include lack of concentration, use of disjointed words and sentences, use of meaningless words and phrases, use of melodic but meaningless words and phrases, and excessive repetition of sentences.
- Movement disorders
Movement disorders are chaotic movements or bizarre and unusual behaviors seen in patients with schizophrenia. These include things like repeated, aimless pacing in a relatively small space or in a circular pattern.
- Behavioral disorders
Behavioral disorders in schizophrenia patients include aggression, repetitive movements, and staying in a certain position for a long time. In fact, this disease disrupts all purposeful activities of the individual. As a result, the patient is unable to control his or her behaviors and reactions and cannot communicate properly with others.
Negative symptoms
The word negative does not simply mean that the symptoms are bad, but rather that they are absent from certain characteristics that are seen in healthy people. These include the following:
- Lack or limited emotions;
- Lack of energy;
- Reticence;
- Lack of motivation;
- Lack of enthusiasm for life and its pleasures;
- Lack of hygiene and care for appearance.
Cognitive symptoms
Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are mainly related to the inability to understand and utilize information, the level of concentration or attention, and the functioning of working memory. It is also very important to diagnose a person with this disorder or whether the condition is normal. If you experience at least two symptoms related to this disease for 6 months, be sure to see a doctor.
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Causes of schizophrenia
Researchers still do not fully understand the exact cause of schizophrenia. However, just like cancer and diabetes, this disorder is a real disease that has a biological basis. Research and studies on this disease are ongoing. However, possible causes of schizophrenia can be listed as follows:
- Imbalance in brain chemical signals;
- Problems with brain development before birth;
- Loss of connections between different areas of the brain;
- Risk factors for schizophrenia.
Although the cause of this disease is unknown, the following factors appear to increase the risk of developing it:
- Family history of schizophrenia;
- Life experiences (living in poverty, stress, or danger);
- Some problems related to pregnancy and childbirth;
- Use of mind-altering or psychoactive drugs during teenage or young adulthood.
Types of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex disorder with various manifestations that can affect a person’s thoughts, behavior, and perception. It is categorized into different types based on the severity and nature of symptoms. Understanding the different types of schizophrenia can help in diagnosing and providing effective treatment for those affected. Types of schizophrenia include:
1. Paranoid
This type of schizophrenia usually begins in late teenage or early adulthood and is characterized by hallucinations and suspicions. As a result, these people are rarely able to hold down a job, form friendships, or even see a doctor.
2. Chaotic, disorganized, or disorganized
People with this type of schizophrenia usually exhibit symptoms such as confusion in speech and behavior and have an isolated and apathetic mood.
3. Undifferentiated
This type of schizophrenia is often accompanied by symptoms such as indifference, apathy, and disinterest, causing the person to show no interest or enthusiasm for the world around them and various issues, and to behave like a soulless person.
4. Residual
This type of schizophrenia is usually not accompanied by symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations, and is more likely to involve behaviors such as isolation, impaired performance of tasks, unusual behaviors, neglect of personal hygiene and cleanliness, and involuntary perceptions.
5. Catatonic
In this type of schizophrenia, some movement disorders are usually observed, such as extreme immobility or intense and sometimes violent activities.
How to diagnose schizophrenia
Diagnosing schizophrenia involves ruling out other mental health problems. It also involves making sure that the person’s symptoms are not related to substance abuse or a specific illness. Usually, doctors take the following steps to diagnose schizophrenia:
- Physical examination to identify problems that can cause similar symptoms and to check for any complications related to the disease;
- Screening for alcohol and drug abuse;
- Imaging tests such as CT scans and MRIs;
- Mental health assessment.
The best treatment for schizophrenia
Treatment for schizophrenia usually includes medication, psychotherapy, and self-management techniques:
Antipsychotic medications
When it comes to the best medication for schizophrenia, antipsychotic medications are one of the most important ones to mention. These medications seem to help control symptoms of the disease by affecting dopamine, a type of neurotransmitter.
Other medications
Your doctor may prescribe other medications to control symptoms of schizophrenia or reduce side effects of antipsychotic medications.
Psychotherapy
Talk therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), can help a person cope with and manage their condition. Long-term treatment can also address other problems, such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
If other treatments are not effective, your doctor may recommend ECT. This treatment involves using an electrical current applied to the scalp to stimulate specific areas of the brain. ECT is usually done while the patient is under anesthesia.
Summing Up
Schizophrenia is a complex and serious mental disorder that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can cause hallucinations, delusions, and irrational thoughts, and can severely disrupt daily life. Early diagnosis and treatment can help improve your quality of life. If you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, see a psychiatrist or psychologist as soon as possible.
To do this, you can visit any mental healthcare clinic near you and consult with the best specialist doctors, including a psychologist. Also, the clinic provides you with the opportunity to make an appointment with your desired psychologist through the online appointment system for in-person consultation with a psychologist.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Are people with schizophrenia dangerous?
Answer: In popular stories and movies, people with schizophrenia and many other mental disorders are portrayed as dangerous and violent. However, the reality is different. People with this mental disorder are not usually violent and often prefer to distance themselves from society and people.
These people only show violence when they are under the influence of alcohol or drugs or when they are threatened or provoked by an external factor. At the same time, considering the strong tendency of these people to commit suicide, it can be concluded that people with schizophrenia are the most dangerous to themselves.
What causes schizophrenia?
Answer: The exact cause of the disease is not known, but it is thought to be caused by an imbalance in brain chemical signals, problems with brain development before birth, and loss of connections between different areas of the brain.
Is schizophrenia preventable?
Answer: There is no effective method to prevent this disease yet. However, early diagnosis and timely treatment will significantly affect the control and reduction of the possibility of recurrence of the disease.
How do you know if you have schizophrenia?
Answer: Diagnosing schizophrenia requires a careful evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist, as some of its symptoms may be similar to other illnesses.
What is schizophrenia medication?
Answer: Unfortunately, there is no specific medication for this disease, and antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers are often prescribed for these people. Considering what we have been told, schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that is most likely to be dangerous for the affected person. We recommend that you see a doctor at the first signs of any mental disorder or consult with a specialist by visiting a mental healthcare clinic.
Can patients with schizophrenia get married?
Schizophrenia affects marriage and marital life. However, it is possible for these patients to get married. It is recommended to consult a mental health professional before deciding to marry such a person.
