Schizophrenia

About

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by breakdown of the thought process and the inability to act normally in social situations due to poor emotional responsiveness.

Schizophrenia is the most severe of the mental illnesses and can affect all spheres of life; including perception, thought, judgment, mood, drive and ultimately, personality. It occurs in all societies at about the same rate; regardless of class, color, religion, culture or intelligence. Majority of people develop schizophrenia between the ages of 15-25 years. It affects both males and females alike. However, the onset often occurs earlier in men than in women.

Schizophrenia is a complex illness and its exact cause is not known. Genes and brain chemistry play a role in the development of schizophrenia.

People with schizophrenia may hear voices, see things that are not there or believe that others are reading or controlling their minds.

Based on the symptoms there are five types of schizophrenia:

• Paranoid schizophrenia - Delusions and auditory hallucinations
• Disorganized schizophrenia - Disorganized speech and behavior
• Catatonic schizophrenia - Disorders of movement
• Undifferentiated schizophrenia - Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, catatonic behavior.
• Residual schizophrenia - Difficulty speaking and expressing emotion and problems with attention, memory and organization.

Antipsychotic medicines can relieve many of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Staying on the prescribed medicine for as long as the doctor recommends can prevent relapses. With medication and supportive therapy, many people improve enough to lead satisfying lives.