Schizophrenia: Signs, Symptoms, and Possible Treatments

Schizophrenia What is Schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder of the brain that affects the way a person sees the world, and even how they think, and behave towards other people. Schizophrenic persons find it difficult to function normally, and often have serious challenges relating with others, managing emotions, thinking clearly, making conversations, and distinguishing between what is real and what is imagined (Helpguide, 2014; NIMH, 2014).

This blurred perception of reality drives such persons to hear or see things that other people cannot see, causing them to retreat from the rest of the world in fear that someone is constantly watching them and is out to harm them (Helpguide, 2014).

Well, schizophrenia is widely perceived as a rare condition; however, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) places its prevalence rate at 1 out of every 100 Americans, with men and young adults between the ages of 16 and 30 being more prone to the same compared to the rest of the population (NIMH, 2014). Early Indicators of Schizophrenia Although schizophrenia may sometimes appear without warning, most of those affected have reported that it develops gradually and often presents a series of warning signs long before the severe symptoms begin to play.

The patient may withdraw from the rest of society, become more reclusive, emotionless, or indifferent about life, abandon some of the activities that they initially found quite interesting, and become increasingly less concerned about their appearance (Helpguide, 2014). Dr.

Segal of Helpguide.org (2014) summarizes these early warning signs as follows: Strange way of speaking -- the patient may not make sense when they speak Negative and at times extreme reaction to criticism Forgetfulness and inability to concentrate Irrational statements Insomnia or oversleeping Depression Extreme emotions; inappropriate crying or laughter Expressionless, flat gaze Suspiciousness or hostility Social withdrawal However, the author reckons that these signs are common across a wide range of mental disorders, and that medical advice, therefore, ought to be sought immediately the same become noticeable so that the most appropriate treatment can be administered.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia The symptoms of schizophrenia differ from person to person, and may be more severe in some people and hardly noticeable in others (Helpguide, 2014). The severity of symptoms will depend on both the pattern of symptoms, and the duration for which the condition remained untreated (Helpguide, 2014). These symptoms can be categorized into three -- cognitive symptoms, negative symptoms, and positive symptoms. Positive Symptoms This category covers the psychotic behaviors of schizophrenic persons that are non-existent in otherwise healthy persons (NIMH, 2014).

These symptoms cause patients to develop wrong perceptions of reality, such that they are unable to distinguish between what is real and what is unreal. They include: Hallucinations: things a person feels, smells, hears, sees, or experiences as real, but which are only in their minds and cannot be experienced, seen, heard, smelt, or felt by other people (Helpguide, 2014; NIMH, 2014). The type of hallucinations experienced could differ from patient to patient; nonetheless, 'voices' have been found to the most common type of schizophrenic hallucinations (Helpguide, 2014; NIMH, 2014; Geekie, 2009).

In this case, the subject hears voices (often times voices of people they know) warning them of danger, ordering them to do things, or talking to them about their behavior and past actions. At times, the voices talk to each other, and are mostly abusive or vulgar (Helpguide, 2014). Delusions: false beliefs that a person holds on to, even though there is adequate evidence to prove that they are not true (Helpguide, 2014; NIMH, 2014). More than 90% percent of schizophrenic patients experience delusions, some of which may be quite bizarre (Helpguide, 2014).

The NIMH (2014) identifies several examples of these bizarre delusions -- beliefs that people on TV are either directing messages specifically to them or publicizing their thoughts to others; beliefs that people are trying to harm them; beliefs that they are some prominent, historical figure, and so on. Dr. Segal of Helpguide (2014) categorizes these schizophrenic delusions into four: Delusions of persecution: vague beliefs that someone is either trying to harm them or is plotting against the people that they care so much about.

Some of these beliefs are bizarre, for instance, 'so and so is trying to poison me by delivering harmful radioactive substances through my drinking water'. Delusions of Reference: false beliefs that they are the specific target of some event that to other people may seem neutral; for instance the vague belief that a character on TV or radio is sending a message specifically to them. Delusions of Grandeur: false beliefs that they are someone else, especially prominent, historical figures such as Jesus Christ.

Additionally, the patient could have weird beliefs that they have extraordinary powers that other human beings can never have, for instance, the ability to speak with God directly. Delusions of Control: belief that some external force or power is controlling their thoughts and actions. For instance, such a person may falsely believe that someone is planting ideas into their head or a radio figure is broadcasting their thoughts loudly for others to hear.

Movement Disorders: a schizophrenic person may display agitated body movements, characterized by either catatonia (where they neither move nor respond to others) or repeated motions (NIMH, 2014). Thought Disorders: a schizophrenic person may display dysfunctional or unusual ways of thinking, where they are unable to connect ideas in such a way that they make sense (NIHM, 2014).

Further, they may make up neologisms, talk in a garbled manner that other people may not be able to understand, or stop speaking abruptly, arguing that the thought they intended to pass had been taken out of their head. Negative Symptoms This category covers those behavioral aspects that are regarded as 'normal' in healthy individuals, but are absent in schizophrenic persons (Helpguide, 2014).

The most common ones include: Speech abnormalities and difficulties -- the subject is unable to initiate and sustain a conversation; and frequently gives flat, disconnected replies that other people may regard as monotonous. Disinterest in the everyday life, and the world in general -- the subject displays an apparent lack of interest in the environment and even their personal appearance. Seeming lack of emotional expression -- the subject may display restrictive or blank false expressions, a flat voice, or an inexpressive face during conversations.

Cognitive Symptoms These symptoms are relatively harder to detect compared to the other two categories; the NIMH (2014) expresses that they can only be detected through others tests used to measure an individual's level of emotional distress. They include: Working memory problems -- the subject may be unable to make use of information immediately they receive it Inability to pay attention or focus Poor executive functioning -- the subject may be unable to utilize information in their possession effectively in decision-making.

Causes of Schizophrenia The actual causes of schizophrenia are yet to be known; nonetheless, the disorder is widely believed to result from an interaction of several environmental and genetic risk factors. Genetic Factors: schizophrenia is hereditary; and one has a higher likelihood of developing the disorder if one or more of their first-degree relatives have been diagnosed with the same (Helpguide,.