Schizophrenia
Published on Nov 24, 2015
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PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior.
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The Swiss psychiatrist, Eugen Bleuler, coined the term, "schizophrenia" in 1911. He was also the first to describe the symptoms as "positive" or "negative." Bleuler changed the name to schizophrenia as it was obvious that Krapelin's name was misleading as the illness was not a dementia (it did not always lead to mental deterioration) and could sometimes occur late as well as early in life.
Symptoms usually develop slowly over months or years. Sometimes, the person may have many symptoms, other times, only a few.
People with schizophrenia may have trouble keeping friends and working. They may also have problems with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors.
Hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
Isolation
Reduced emotion
Problems paying attention
Strongly held beliefs that are not real (delusions)
Talking in a way that does not make sense
Thoughts that "jump" between different topics (“loose associations”)
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During an episode of schizophrenia, the person may need to stay in the hospital for safety reasons.
MEDICATIONS
Antipsychotic medicines are the most effective treatment for schizophrenia. They change the balance of chemicals in the brain and can help control symptoms.
While helpful, these medicines can cause side effects. But many side effects can be managed. For this reason, they should not prevent the person from getting treated for this serious condition.
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Common side effects from antipsychotics may include:
Dizziness
Feelings of restlessness or jitteryness
Sleepiness (sedation)
Slowed movements
Tremor
Weight gain
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Eduard Einstein – Albert Einstein’s son suffered from schizophrenia. He was diagnosed at the age of 25. After onset of his illness, he told his father that he hated him. Albert never saw Eduard for the rest of his life. Prior to his illness he was said to have been a great student and very musically talented. He struggled with his mental illness for the remainder of his life and ended up dying of a stroke at age 55.
Worldwide about 1 percent of the population is diagnosed with schizophrenia, and approximately 1.2% of Americans (3.2 million) have the disorder. About 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with schizophrenia this year around the world.
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