Schizophrenia Meaning, Causes, Types and Treatment

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, acts, and feels. Sometimes, the person may not be able to differentiate between what is real and what is imaginary. He/She faces difficulty in expressing his emotions in public. It usually appears in early adulthood or late adolescence. The patients are more likely to die younger than the general population due to the high rates of co-occurring heart disorders like diabetes and heart disorders.

Types of Schizophrenia

Common schizophrenia types include:

a) Paranoid Schizophrenia

A person with this type may face false delusions and false beliefs that a person or group of people is planning to harm them. They may spend most of their time in fear and thinking about how to guard their family members.

b) Childhood-onset Schizophrenia

Signs sometimes occur during childhood at the age of 10 or earlier. However, it’s very rare. The chances are less than 0.04 %. If it occurs, it is very serious. A child may need immediate treatment.

c) Disorganized or Hebephrenic Schizophrenia

The patient may have unclear or illogical speech or thoughts. This makes him or her difficult to perform everyday tasks. The patient may not be able to understand what another person is saying. This leads to anxiety, irritability, and frustration.

d) Schizoaffective Disorder

A person with this type faces a blend of signs like hallucinations, delusions, mania or depression.

e) Catatonic Schizophrenia

Catatonic includes peculiar or excessive motor behaviour. For example, in this condition, a patient may not be able to speak, reply or move. There is a massive reduction in activity.

Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia causes are unclear. A few theories suggest that it may be caused by:

a) Heredity

If any of your family members have this disorder, you likely inherit it from them. It may occur when the body undergoes physical and hormonal changes.

b) Imbalance of Neurotransmitters or Brain Chemicals

Researchers believe that it may be due to the imbalance of brain chemicals or neurotransmitters (like dopamine and serotonin).

Neurotransmitters usually allow nerve cells to send signals to each other. The imbalance hugely affects the way the brain of a person reacts to stimuli.

c) Immune Diseases, Viral Infections, or Stressful Experiences

These can be caused due to immune disorders or viral infections. For example, ladies who get flu or trauma while they are pregnant are more prone to developing this disease.

d) Brain Structure

Some even suggest that the issues with the development of pathways and connections in the brain while in the womb may result in schizophrenia.

e) Drugs

Lysergic acid diethylamide and marijuana can also cause schizophrenia relapses. For those who are susceptible to this psychotic illness, mainly with the use of cannabis may trigger the first episode. Few researchers even think that certain prescription drugs like stimulants and steroids can also cause psychosis.

Facts

1. Schizophrenia usually hide tons of illnesses into one and affects an estimated 1% of the population.

2. Diagnosing this mental condition comes only after other disorders have been ruled out like bipolar disorder or depression.

3. It affects 1% of all adults globally and most commonly strikes between the ages of 16 and 30.

4. Males try to show signs at a slightly young age in comparison to females.

5. In many cases, it develops so slowly that the person does not know they had it for many years. But in other cases, it can strike suddenly and develop fast.

Early Warning Signs

Just note that the warning signs of schizophrenia are unique for everyone. These signs may develop slowly over months or years unexpectedly. The disorder may come and go in cycles of relapse and remission.

If you encounter the following signs for more than two weeks, consult the doctor immediately.

• Personality change.
• An extreme obsession with the occult or religion.
• Seeing or hearing something that is not present.
• Not able to concentrate or sleep well.
• Strange behaviour.
• A constant feeling of being watched.
• Fearful, angry, or irrational reply to loved ones.
• An unusual way of writing or speaking.
• High increase in withdrawal from social events and situations.
• Odd body positioning.
• Change in appearance and personal hygiene.
• The decline in work or academic performance.
• Extreme reaction to criticism.
• Oversleeping.
• Deterioration in personal hygiene.
• Strange use of words or way of speaking.

Schizophrenia Symptoms

Most of the patients have a fear of the treatment and usually say that they are all right. The effects of this disorder reach far beyond the patients, which means it hugely affects the families, friends, and severity too. The signs may differ in type and severity with time. However, some signs may always stay.

Symptoms of schizophrenia can be classified into four categories:

Positive symptoms

These include:

• Paranoid delusions
• Distorted perceptions
• Hallucinations, etc.

Negative symptoms

They refer to the things a person has lost. The signs include a lack of motivation.

Emotional symptoms

They are negative symptoms like frank emotions.

Cognitive symptoms

These usually affect the thinking processes of a person. They may be negative or positive signs. For example, lack of concentration and low work performance.

Major Symptoms in Adults Are

• Lack of drive, enthusiasm, and interest.
• Disorganized behaviour.
• Delusions (false ideas).
• Disordered speech or thinking.
• Hallucinations.
• Emotional depression.
• Social withdrawal.
• Unawareness of disorder.
• Poor expression of emotions.
• Cognitive issues.

Before diagnosis, a psychiatrist performs an in-depth medical examination to find out the substance misuse or neurological or medical disorders whose signs copy schizophrenia.

Symptoms in Teenagers Include

Signs of schizophrenia in teens are the same as that of adults. But, it may be harder to identify:

• Difficulty in sleeping.
• Depression or irritability.
• Lack of motivation.
• Abandonment of family and friends.
• Low educational performance.

Just note that, unlike adults, schizophrenia-affected teens may be less likely to have delusions. They are also more likely to have visual hallucinations.

When to See Doctor?

The patients usually have to depend on others because they’re not able to do their everyday tasks themselves. Suicidal thoughts and behaviour are common among them.

If this is the case, call 911 or your local emergency number instantly to seek help. You may also contact the police department in your locality or community mental health companies.

Complications

• Self-injury.
• Depression.
• Suicidal attempts or thoughts of suicide.
• Isolation from people.
• Medical and health issues.
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety disorders.
• Legal and financial problems.
• Depression.
• Homelessness.
• Not able to attend school or work.
• Alcohol or drug abuse.

Misconceptions of Schizophrenia

Myth: Schizophrenia is the same as a split personality disorder.

Truth: Just note that multiple personality disorder is less common than Schizophrenia and people having Schizophrenia don’t have split personalities.

Myth: Patients can cause harm to others.

Truth: Although hallucinations and delusional behaviour sometimes result in aggressive behaviour. Most people are neither dangerous nor violent to others.

Myth: It’s rare.

Truth: The lifetime risk of getting schizophrenia is widely accepted to be 1 in 100.

Myth: Patients can’t be helped.

Truth: When treated well, most of the patients can enjoy rewarding lives.

Schizophrenia Diagnosis

Diagnosis of schizophrenia includes finding other mental health diseases and identifying signs that are not due to medicine, medical conditions, or substance abuse.

a) Physical examination

This is performed to find other issues and check for associated risks.

b) Screening and tests

This may include schizophrenia tests that rule out conditions with the same signs. It usually includes CT and MRI scans.

c) Psychiatric evaluation

A mental health expert checks mental status by observing behaviour and looks. In this case, the doctor asks about the patient’s moods, thoughts, hallucinations, substance use, delusions, and violence.

Schizophrenia Treatment

While there is no cure for this chronic brain disorder, researchers are finding safe. New Schizophrenia treatments to help patients lead productive and happier lives. In severe cases, the patient may need hospitalization.

The most effective treatment strategy includes a blend of therapy, medication, social support, and lifestyle changes.

a) Longer Treatment

This condition may require life-long treatment even when the signs diminish. The treatment changes over time. It means patients need to change their medication or lower their dosage as their signs improve.

b) Therapy

Therapy helps people to manage their illness and boost their lifestyle. Group therapy helps the patients communicate with others who are facing the same situation. This also helps them to get important information on how to fight those challenges.

Therapy and mediation may take a long time to take full effect.

Schizophrenia Cure

But there are other ways by which you can manage the symptoms. These are:

a) Seek Family Support

Family support is essential for better well-being and health. Although you can’t force someone to have treatment, it’s best to provide support and encouragement.

Ask them to join a support group or a club to spend quality time with those people who have common interests. Social connection surely helps the patient feel good and boosts his confidence for sure.

b) Cope with Stress

Do stress-busting exercises like deep breathing, yoga, and education.

c) Get Sufficient Sleep

It’s a good idea to have more sleep than 8 hours. Many patients face trouble while sleeping. But when you avoid caffeine and have regular exercise, it can help a lot.

d) Do Exercise Every day

Exercise surely helps to lower schizophrenia symptoms. Do any fun activity for half an hour daily. Try to do rhythmic exercises, which indulge in legs and arms.

e) Consume Nutritious Diet

Eat omega-3 fatty acids such as fish, walnuts, fish oil, and flaxseeds to boost focus and balance your mood.

f) Avoid Drugs, Alcohol, and Nicotine

Substance abuse typically complicates the treatment and makes the signs even worse. Even cigarettes can interfere with schizophrenia medications.