Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe psychotic disorder that affects less than 1% of the U.S. population and 0.32% worldwide (or 24 million people). In America, schizophrenia will often appear in men in their late teens and early 20s, however for women it will pop up around their 20s or 30s.
Schizophrenia can be divided into five different subtypes: Paranoid, Catatonic, Disorganized, Residual, and Undifferentiated.
Schizophrenia can be identified as both a personality and psychotic disorder. While personality disorders are often characterized by unhealthy thinking and behavioral patterns affecting everyday life, psychotic disorders are a form of psychosis, often stemming from medications, health conditions, drug abuse, and schizophrenia.
Causes
Schizophrenia itself is often caused by the following but is not limited to:
Drug and alcohol usage*
High levels of stress in life
Genetics
Changes in brain chemistry and brain abnormalities
Toxic environments
Social isolation
Childhood trauma
*(It’s still not clear if using drugs is a direct cause of schizophrenia or if people who have schizophrenia are more likely to use drugs, therefore worsening their state.)
Schizophrenic episodes are most often caused by intense and harmful emotions and environments From events like losing a job to any form of abuse, there are a range of triggers that differ for everyone.
Individuals who have a parent or sibling who has experienced psychosis are more likely to develop schizophrenia. It is believed by researchers that certain genes found within the disorder make for a more heritable disease.
Symptoms
Over a prolonged period, mood and social behavior will begin to change, making it difficult to notice immediately. And while for some it can be a sudden onset, in most cases gradual signs are more common.
Symptoms of schizophrenia may include but are not limited to:
Delusions: False beliefs that cannot be changed even when presented with facts
Hallucinations: Seeing things that aren’t there. Paranoid types will often obsess over these
New unusual and inappropriate behavior
Catatonic behavior: Little to no interaction with one’s environment
Disorganized thinking and speech, often unable to communicate emotions
Sporadic mood shifts
Though many of the symptoms are common to Bipolar Personality Disorder (BPD), they are not the same despite often confusion. One can experience symptoms of both, but BPD will not develop into schizophrenia.
To be diagnosed with schizophrenia, one may have to go through:
Physical exam
Tests and screenings
Psychiatric evaluation
Diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia
Treatment
Schizophrenia is not curable. However, it is treatable.
A common form of treatment is finding the right medication for the patient with little to no side effects. Antipsychotic medications can help to control the severity and intensity of symptoms. It may take a few weeks for the patient to show signs of success but eventually, improvement may be seen.
Another crucial form of treatment can be found in therapy. Therapies such as talk therapy, family therapy, and support groups are important to normalize thought patterns, cope with stress, and identify possible triggers for those with schizophrenia. Creating daily habits to better oneself is just one pivotal additional step towards living a healthier life.
If you are concerned about yourself or someone you know, reach out to medical professionals and advocate for mental health.
Ted Ed video on: Schizophrenia
Sources used:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443
*We are not medical professionals, we are simply here to raise awareness*
