SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a  chronic, complex , disabling and severe brain  disorder that has affected people throughout history. People with schizophrenia often hear voices ,believe media are broadcasting  their thoughts to the world or may believe someone is trying to harm them.

Schizophrenia affects approximately 1% of  both men and women.In men it usually develops in teen years and early 20s; In women it usually develops in 20s and 30s.

CORE SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

Positive symptoms

Positive symptoms are those that have positive reaction from some treatment.

·         Delusions

·         Hallucinations

·         Agitation

·         Thought disorder

Negative symptoms

Those that appear to reflect a diminution or loss of normal functions.

·         Lack of affect(emotion)

·         Lack of motivation

·         Poverty of speech

·         Impaired attention

·         Inability to experience pleasure

Cognitive symptoms

Difficulties in concentration and memory.

·         Poor memory

·         Attention deficit

·         Executive dysfunction

Affective symptoms

·         Elation

·         Depression

·         Suicidal ideation

TYPES OF SCHIZOPHRENIA

·         Paranoid Schizophrenia- persons are very suspicious of others and often have grand schemes of persecution at the root of their behavior.

·         Hebephrenic Schizophrenia  - frequently beginning during adolescence.

·         Catatonic Schizophrenia  - person is extremely withdrawn negative and isolated.

·         Residual Schizophrenia- lacks motivation and interest in day to day living.

·         Schizoaffective Disorder-  depression, bipolar, mixed mania

·         Undifferentiated  Schizophrenia

TREATMENT

Medications

Madications are cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment.

Here some medications for treating schizophrenia

·         Chlorpromazine( Thorazine)

·         Clozapine ( clozari)

·         Haloperidol (haldol)

·         Risperidone (Risperdal)

·         Olanzapine (zyprexa)

·         Quetiapine (seroquel)

·         Aripiprazole (  Abilify)

The large amount of people who are  suffering with schizophrenia show substantial improvement when treated with antipsychotic drugs.

Psychosocial treatments

Psychosocial treatments also are very  important  such as social skills training.Individual theraphy ,Family theraphy , vocational rehabilitation and supported employment.

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SCHIZOPHRENIA

·         Flu  during pregnancy raises off spring’s risk of schizophrenia

·         Daily dose of fish oil may help to prevent schizophrenia

·         Study says epilepsy drug could raise schizophrenia risk

·         Schizophrenia risk increased by childhood lung infections.

·         Low levels of vitamin D could increase the risk of schizophrenia

·         Diabetics  could raise schizophrenia

                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                                                                               FATHIMA SUMAIYA,

BA.PSYCHOLOGY(SP) (UG),

2^ND YEAR,

UNIVERSITY OF PERADENIYA,

SRI LANKA.