Schizophrenia

3 de junio de 2020

5 min de lectura

Schizophrenia—which affects up to 20 million people worldwide, or about 1 percent of the global population—is a mental health condition that many people have only ever heard about in movies and television shows. But what is it really like?

If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia, or if you'd simply like to learn more about this condition, keep reading to learn about what this condition is, what the signs and symptoms are, what it's like living with this diagnosis.

What is Schizophrenia? 5 Fast Facts

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects the way a person thinks, perceives the world around them, and functions in their day-to-day life. It's hallmarked by the difficulty in distinguishing between what is real and not real. Several theories exist about what exactly happens in the brain of someone with schizophrenia. For instance, it's possible that schizophrenia is related to dysfunction in certain brain chemicals, like dopamine and NMDA, and the way they transmit information between cells.

There's quite a bit of misinformation out there about schizophrenia. Here are five simple facts to keep in mind:

1.
Schizophrenia does not involve "split personalities." This terminology refers to another mental health condition called dissociative identity disorder. Schizophrenia can be more accurately thought of as a condition in which the person becomes "split off" from reality.
2.
Men and women are affected by schizophrenia about equally. Diagnosis usually happens in the late teens to mid-thirties, with men often getting diagnosed earlier than women.
3.
Like many mental health conditions, doctors and researchers aren't entirely sure about what causes schizophrenia. Environmental, psychosocial, and genetic factors are likely involved.
4.
While not quite as common as other chronic health conditions, it's more common than you may think. Schizophrenia affects around 1 in every 100 people.
5.
Having schizophrenia does not inherently make a person dangerous or violent, and most people living with this condition are not dangerous.

Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

A person with schizophrenia usually first experiences a gradual onset of unusual signs and symptoms. Their family members, loved ones, and colleagues may also begin to notice these symptoms, too. These early warning signs can be caused by other conditions, too, so if you notice any of the following issues in yourself or a loved one, speak to a doctor:

Social withdrawal
Depression
Extreme reactivity to criticism
Suspiciousness and hostility
Lack of personal hygiene, unusually unkempt appearance
Flat affect (expressionless gaze)
Inability to express emotions appropriately (e.g., laughing or crying at inappropriate times, not being able to express joy)
Sleep disturbances (e.g., too much or too little)
Difficulty remembering things and concentrating
Unusual ways of speaking, strange use of words or speech, irrational statements

As schizophrenia progresses, a person may exhibit any combination of five main categories of schizophrenia symptoms: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, and “negative” symptoms. These can vary in severity and type. Let's learn a bit more about these symptoms:

Delusions are strongly-held beliefs, despite clear evidence that what the person believes is not true. About 90 percent of people with schizophrenia experience delusions, which can involve bizarre ideas like thinking people are out to harm you or that someone is controlling your thoughts.
Hallucinations are sensations that seem very real but only exist in the mind. Auditory hallucinations are the most common in people with schizophrenia (e.g., hearing voices), but can actually include any of the five senses (e.g., seeing something that's not there).
Disorganized speech can happen because schizophrenia makes it difficult to concentrate and think clearly. This can lead to illogical or incoherent ways of speaking, such as making up words, repeating the same phrases over and over again (perseveration), and quickly shifting from topic to topic (loose associations).
Disorganized behaviors related to schizophrenia can manifest as bizarrre acts, lack of impulse control, and difficulty making decisions.
Negative symptoms doesn't mean "bad" but instead the absence of behaviors typically considered "normal" in neurotypical adults. A person with schizophrenia may have a lack of expression in their face or voice, lack of eye contact, social withdrawal, decreased self-care, and decreased awareness about their surroundings.

Living with Schizophrenia: Diagnosis and Treatment

Schizophrenia cannot be cured, however it can be treated and well-managed—although according to the World Health Organization nearly 7 out of 10 people with schizophrenia do not receive appropriate care.

What does "appropriate" care for schizophrenia look like? At its most basic, a combination of medications and psychotherapy are imperative. Medications are generally prescribed to reduce and manage a person's symptoms, while therapy (provided for the individual and their loved ones) provide the opportunity to learn coping skills, gain life skills and independence, manage stress, and improve communication and interpersonal relationships.

A variety of other alternative and self-care techniques have also been shown to help people with schizophrenia manage their condition and improve their quality of life and independence. These include regular exercise, avoidance of alcohol and other substances, and social support.

Research indicates that people with schizophrenia are about two to three times more likely to die earlier than the general population. Sadly, this can be the result of suicide—about 10 to 15 percent of people with schizophrenia take their own lives. But other conditions frequently co-exist with schizophrenia that can affect a person's overall health and longevity, including cardiovascular disease and other mental health conditions like posttraumatic stress disorder and depression.

All this to say: speaking with a doctor with your concerns as soon as possible can make a huge difference! Your medical team can help you or your loved one address all your underlying health issues to ensure you get the most out of your life.

If your life has been touched by schizophrenia, we want to hear your story. Connect with us at Healthread to meet other people living with similar experiences. For additional resources, try:

· National Institute of Mental Health

· National Alliance on Mental Illness

· Brain and Behavior Research Foundation

· American Psychiatric Association

Sources

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En esta página

What is Schizophrenia? 5 Fast Facts

Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Living with Schizophrenia: Diagnosis and Treatment

Sources

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