DSM-V

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) states that schizophrenia is a mental disorder that causes the patient to experience

hallucinations, delusions, irrational speech patterns, anti-social behavior, a loss of willpower/motivation, a possible catatonic state at times, and more.

This broad spectrum of symptoms should be seen for at least a month, with behavior being monitored for up to six months.

Schizophrenia

Who is Affected ?

According to the World Health Organization, about 24 million people around the world are affected by schizophrenia.

Men are 1.4 times more likely to suffer from schizophrenia than women

The prime age group for individuals who suffer from schizophrenia are ages 20-32

Schizophrenia is not typically found in children or in older aged individuals.

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder.

Symptoms include:

Hallucinations

Paranoid delusions

Exaggerated or distorted perceptions, beliefs or actions

Confused or disordered thinking

Problems concentrating

The disorder accounts for “half of all admissions to psychiatric hospitals, costs $40 billion a year to treat in the United States, and is one of the top ten causes of disability worldwide” (Smith, 2007, p. 77).

Treatments

Possible treatments of schizophrenia include:

Antipsychotic mood stabilizers called

neuroleptics

Support group therapy

Psychosocial therapy

Dietary supplements such as

Glycine

The most effective treatments include a combination of pharmacological interventions with therapeutic counseling.

What causes schizophrenia?

There is no known cause for this disorder, but researchers are examining a number of factors, both genetic and environmental.

Florida

In the state of Florida, of the adults reporting poor mental health

31% are White

28.8% are Black

26.3% are Hispanic

25.2% are Asian/Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander

40.4% are Other

Florida ranks 33rd in the nation in mental health according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.

Available Resources:

Adult Mental Health (AMH)

Florida Department of Children and Families Mental Health

Schizophrenia Treatment Center & Hospital

at North Tampa Behavioral Health

References

Kaiser Family Foundation at: http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/poor-mental-health-by-re/

Mental Health America at: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/ranking-states#Overall%20Ranking

Smith, D. (2007) Muses, Madmen, and Prophets: Hearing Voices and the Borders of Sanity. NY: Penguin Books