WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA??

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Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder in which a person interprets reality abnormally.

They are more into Hallucinations and Delusions as per which, they talk and behave in a very abnormal way and seems as if they are talking or arguing with a person who is not there in reality.

At times or depending on the severity, Schizophrenic people result in combination of hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking and speech that impairs their daily functional life and appears to others that they are disabled to do anything in a right or correct manner as per the customs and society.

Schizophrenia is a chronic condition, requiring lifetime treatment.

The main symptoms of Schizophrenia are Hallucinations, Delusions, Disordered thinking, behavior and speech. Among the negative symptoms, we can narrate the symptom as reduced or lack of ability to function normally. For example, the person may neglect personal hygiene or appear to lack emotion (doesn’t make eye contact, doesn’t change facial expressions or speaks in a monotone). Also, the person may have lose interest in everyday activities, socially withdraw or lack the ability to experience pleasure.

CAUSES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

It’s not known yet what are the causes or reasons of schizophrenia, but researchers believe that a combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environment contributes to development of the disorder.

Problems with certain naturally occurring brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies show differences in the brain structure and central nervous system of people with schizophrenia. While researchers aren’t certain about the significance of these changes, they indicate that schizophrenia is a brain disease.

RISK FACTORS:

Although the real cause for Schizophrenia is yet not discovered after detailed study and research by the experts, certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia, including:

Having a family history of schizophrenia
Increased immune system activation, such as from inflammation or autoimmune diseases
Older age of the father
Some pregnancy and birth complications, such as malnutrition or exposure to toxins or viruses that may impact brain development
Taking mind-altering (psychoactive or psychotropic) drugs during teen years and young adulthood.

COMPLICATIONS

If Schizophrenia is left untreated and not diagnosed properly, it may lead to severe complications that affect every area of life. Associated complications can include the following:

Suicide, suicide attempts and thoughts of suicide
Self-injury
Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Depression
Abuse of alcohol or other drugs, including tobacco
Inability to work or attend school
Legal and financial problems and homelessness
Social isolation
Health and medical problems
Being victimized
Aggressive behavior, although it’s uncommon

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of schizophrenia involves ruling out other mental health disorders and determining that symptoms are not due to substance abuse, medication or a medical condition. Diagnosis of Schizophrenia may include:

Physical Exam: This could be done to rule out other problems that could be causing the symptoms of Schizophrenia and to check for any related complications.

Tests and screenings: These may include tests that help rule out conditions with similar symptoms, and screening for alcohol and drugs. The doctor may also request imaging studies, such as an MRI or CT scan.
Psychiatric evaluation: A doctor or mental health professional checks mental status by observing appearance and behavior and asking about thoughts, moods, delusions, hallucinations, substance use, and potential for violence or suicide. This also includes a discussion of family and personal history.
Diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia: A doctor or mental health professional may use the criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association.

TREATMENT

Schizophrenia requires lifelong treatment, even when the causes or symptoms have subsided. As it happens with the cases that when it is diagnosed that they are suffering with schizophrenia then except for their mental and brain care, the other health issues are ignored sort of. So if any of the patients recover from the Schizophrenia problem and mentally they become fit and strong, the other health issues might increase in the meanwhile and cause their death issues. Then it is certified by the surroundings and all that the death of the patient took place due to Schizophrenia.

So we should take care of the whole body when undergoing any treatment for Schizophrenia. Treatment with medications and psychosocial therapy can help manage the condition. In some cases, hospitalization may be needed.

MEDICATIONS

The most common medication for Schizophrenia are the antipsychotic medications or drugs.

They’re thought to control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitter dopamine.

The goal of treatment by antipsychotic drugs is to effectively manage the signs & symptoms at the lowest possible dose. The doctors or the psychiatrists may try different drugs or different doses to achieve the desired or expected result, as these medications do not show immediate result but takes some time to show the positive or negative result. Other medications also may help, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs. It can take several weeks to notice an improvement in symptoms.

As the medication for Schizophrenia can cause serious side effects, people diagnosed with Schizophrenia may be reluctant to take the medication. Willingness to cooperate with treatment may affect drug choice.

For example, someone who is resistant to taking medication consistently may need to be given injections instead of taking a pill. So it’s always suggested to ask the Doctor or Psychiatrist about the ifs & buts or benefits or side effects of any prescribed medication.