SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion and behavior, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy delusion and a sense of mental fragmentation.

Contrary to the popular belief, schizophrenia isn't a split personality or multiple personality. The word does mean "split mind" but it refers to a disruption of the usual balance of emotions and thinking. ((http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/basics/definiti...))

SYMPTOMS

• Withdrawal from friends and family
• A drop in performance at school
• Trouble sleeping
• Irritability or depressed mood
• Lack of motivation
• Disorganized Speech
• Dysfunction in work, interpersonal relations or self-care

Among with these symptoms suicidal thoughts and behavior are also very common. If these symptoms are noticed in a person, talk to them about these concerns and contact a doctor.

CAUSES:
As of currently doctors do not know the causes of schizophrenia. Though researchers believe that it is caused by a combination of genetics and environmental contributions.

TREATMENT-
Treatment for this condition is a lifelong process even if symptoms have subsided. Treatment containing medications and psychological therapy can help manage the condition.

Though during times of crisis, or times when symptoms are of severe condition hospitalization may be needed to ensure that the patient has ensured safety, proper nutrition, adequate sleep and basic hygiene.

Medications are used to treat schizophrenia but these medications can cause serious but rare side effects. Because of these side effects people are often times very reluctant to take them.

ATYPICAL ANTIPSYCHOTICS-
These newer and second-generation medications are usually preferred because these pose a lower risk of serious side effects.

FUN FACTS

• Children whose fathers are older at the time of their birth have a 2 to 3 times the normal risk to developing schizophrenia
• There are 3 different types of symptoms; positive, negative and disorganized
• The internal suffering of the person with schizophrenia is often readily apparent, as are bizarre behavior and unusual appearance
• Schizophrenia is the most severe form of mental illness, and effects just under one percent of the of the world's population

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SOURCES

• http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/basics/definiti...
• The book of abnormal psychology ((By James N.Butcher, Susan Mineka and Jill H. Hooley))

THANK YOU