Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder which affects the normal functioning of a human brain with hallucinations, false beliefs and obscure thoughts. Humans affected by Schizophrenia have difficulties distinguishing the difference between the real and unreal.

Schizophrenia disrupts the ability for a victims to function in life including interacting with others and taking care of themselves. One in one hundred are diagnosed with schizophrenia at some point in their life, most commonly late teens or early 20’s. However, the earlier schizophrenia develops the more severe the condition is in the specific person affected.

Therefore, if Schizophrenia is developed in early childhood, which is rare, it is very harsh and dangerous.

Causes and effects

The cause of Schizophrenia is not completely known yet, but it is said to be passed on through genes from parents. People are thought to be around 10% more likely to get schizophrenia if a first degree family member has it. An identical twin with the disorder cause the other twin to have a 40%-65% of also being diagnosed. Although, Schizophrenia is often triggered by stress, abuse or the usage of LSD, speed or marijuana.

The symptoms and signs of Schizophrenia can vary dramatically in severity depending on the person and the symptoms can change and often not all are present in the patient.
Signs are what people other people can notice in the effected, and symptoms are what the affected experiences themselves.

Signs

• Social withdrawal Disconnected replies Difficult to hold conversations Lack in emotional expressions or enthusiasm shown in their face, voice or actions Inappropriate emotional response such as laughter, crying or inappropriate/odd phrases

signs

• Bizarre uses of words or sentences Unable to concentrate Difficult to remember things Depression Insomnia (Difficult to fall asleep) or oversleeping Suspiciousness Lack in personal hygiene

There are three categories of Symptoms present in Schizophrenia, delusions, hallucinations and speech.

dEluisons

Delusions are the most common symptom of Schizophrenia, as 90% of the sufferers have them. Delusions can be broken into four categories.

Persecution: The person believes outside people are victimising them or out to ‘get them’ involving weird ideas and plots.

Grandeur: The person is under the belief that they are famous or obtain an important figure. This also involves the possibility of beliefs of unnatural abilities. For example flying or super human strength.



Reference: The person believes that regular events or occurrences are a hidden message specifically directed towards themselves. For example a news report.



Control: The person is under the belief outside forces are secretly transmitting, robbing or planting thoughts into their head.

hallucinations

Hallucinations are misconception of happenings that don’t actually occur in reality. Hallucinations can be any of the 5 different senses, and tend to worsen when the affected is alone.

Auditory (hearing) is the most common form of hallucinations a person affected with schizophrenia can have. They hear human voices of people which they know, but are vulgar and abusive. These voices are often warning them, sending them into a panic, or telling them to do something (eg. violence, self harm or even suicide). The victim may feel forced and threatened to obey these commands.

Visual hallucinations (sight) are also very common. Visual hallucinations involve seeing an either clear and normal-looking, or distorted images.

The other types of hallucinations are:
Olfactory (smell): These Hallucinations involve the victim being able to smell repulsive and/or disgusting smells.

Tactile (Touch): These Hallucinations involve the feeling or bugs or snakes crawling up the body or inside the body, or people touching their body.

Gustatory (taste): These hallucinations involve the sensation tasting awful substances in their mouths.

SPeech

People affected with Schizophrenia often have difficulties associated with speech and concentration. The affected regularly have trouble with keeping a train of thought and concentration, leading them to jump from one topic to another with no connections. This makes these conversations have loose associations. Schizophrenic people frequently say illogical, repeated, weird or even made up phrases and words and meaninglessly use rhyming words.

Treatment

The treatment of Schizophrenia is a combination of medications, therapy and support from family and friends. To be successfully be treated for Schizophrenia, who phases of medication consumption must be taken. The first phase is called the acute phase, whereas patients must take high dosages of medication to treat the symptoms. The second phases, named the maintenance phase which is a low dosage of medication to prevent further relapses. This phases most commonly lasts for the rest of their life, unless symptoms worsen, then a higher dosage may be required.

Therapy for patients with schizophrenia involves regular sessions with a therapist. This allows patients to express their feelings and thoughts and learn more about their disorder, becoming more understanding of what they are dealing with. Although in serious cases where the schizophrenic person is having severe and dangerous symptoms, they may have to be hospitalized. A strong support system from family and friends is very important for a patient.

support in wagga

The first step to being helped with any mental disorder, is recognising the illness and taking charge as soon as possible. Talking to your friends and family and asking for advice or assistance is a great place to start. Treatment for schizophrenia can be easily accessed by contacting or booking an appointment with a local doctor or counsellor/therapist. An appointment can also been scheduled with the local Headspace Clinic located in Wagga. The Wagga Wagga Mental Health Unit is also available is serious or immediate treatment is required for any mental health issue or disorder.

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