Schizophrenia Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder, in which people who experience it interpret reality abnormally. This psychiatric disorder can cause several symptoms.
Symptoms that may occur include a combination of hallucinations, delusions, and thought patterns and behaviors that interfere with daily functioning, possibly leading to disability.
Schizophrenia is a long-term condition that can require lifelong treatment.
Schizophrenia Symptoms
Schizophrenia can involve a variety of symptoms related to thinking (cognition), behavior, or emotions. Signs and symptoms that generally appear can vary.
But in general, it includes delusions, hallucinations, or unstructured speech, which can also reflect barriers to carrying out daily functions.
Signs and symptoms that can occur in schizophrenia include:
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Disappointed
Delusions are false beliefs and are not based on reality. For example, a person experiencing delusions may think that they are being harmed or abused.
People experiencing delusions may also think that certain comments or signs are directed at them directly.
They also feel that they have extraordinary abilities or fame, or that someone else is in love with them, or that a disaster will occur in the near future, without any real evidence. Delusions are experienced by most individuals with schizophrenia.
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Hallucinations
This generally includes seeing, hearing, or feeling something that is not really there. However, in people with schizophrenia, things that are seen, heard, or felt are very real.
Hallucinations can be perceived by one or more of the five senses, but most often involve hearing.
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Unstructured mindset
An unstructured mindset can be seen from the presence of unstructured speech. Effective communication may be disrupted, and the person’s answers may be unrelated to the question being asked.
Sometimes, people with this condition may also use a variety of unrelated and unintelligible words, a concept known as word salad.
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Abnormal motor behavior
This can be manifested by a number of things, including childlike behavior to sudden agitation.
Other behavioral abnormalities can include not following instructions, inappropriate or awkward body postures, showing no response at all, and excessive or meaningless body movements.
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Negative symptoms
This includes a decrease or inability to carry out daily functions.
For example, a person may neglect personal hygiene or show no emotion at all (no eye contact, no changing facial expressions, or speaking in a monotone).
In addition, the person may also show decreased interest in daily activities, withdraw from social interactions, or dislike fun activities.
Over time, signs and symptoms may vary according to the type and degree of severity, with periods of worsening or improvement of symptoms. In some cases, symptoms may persist.
Schizophrenia Reason
The cause of schizophrenia is not known with certainty. However, researchers suggest that schizophrenia is caused by a combination of genetic factors, brain chemical systems, and environmental factors that contribute to the development of the disease.
Problems with several naturally produced brain chemicals, including dopamine and glutamate, can contribute to schizophrenia. Imaging studies also show differences in the structure of the brain and central nervous system in people with schizophrenia.
Several factors are also known to increase the risk of developing or developing schizophrenia, including:
- Having a family member with a history of being diagnosed with schizophrenia
- Increased activation of the immune system, as a result of inflammation or autoimmune disease
- Much older father
- Complications from pregnancy and childbirth, such as malnutrition or exposure to toxins and viruses that can affect brain development
- History of taking psychoactive or psychotropic drugs during adolescence or young adulthood
Diagnosis
It is very important to distinguish schizophrenia from other mental disorders. In addition, it is also important to ensure that the signs and symptoms that arise are not the result of the use of certain substances, certain medications, or medical conditions.
Making a diagnosis of schizophrenia can include:
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Physical examination
This may be done to rule out other medical problems that can cause similar signs and symptoms and to check for any associated complications.
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Examination and screening
This can include testing to rule out other conditions that can cause similar signs and symptoms, as well as screening for a history of alcohol or certain drug use.
Doctors may also order imaging tests, including computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to see changes in brain structure.
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Psychiatric evaluation
Doctors can also carry out a mental status examination by looking at the appearance and attitude of the individual and asking about various things including thoughts, moods, delusions, hallucinations, use of certain substances, and the possibility of violence or suicide.
This examination also involves a discussion of personal or family history.
Schizophrenia Treatment
Schizophrenia can require lifelong treatment, even if symptoms have subsided. Treatment with medication and psycho-social therapy can help treat this condition.
In certain cases, hospitalization may be required. Treatment of schizophrenia generally involves psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and case managers to coordinate services.
Treatment is one of the important things in the treatment of schizophrenia. Commonly used anti-psychotic medications can control symptoms by affecting dopamine levels in the brain.
The goal of treatment with anti-psychotics is to effectively manage signs and symptoms at the lowest possible dose.
The treating doctor may use several types of drugs, with different doses, or a combination of types of treatment to get the desired results.
Treatment for schizophrenia can also cause side effects, one of which is movement disorders.
Apart from treatment, psychological and social interventions also play a role in the treatment of schizophrenia. One of the things that can be done includes individual therapy by way of psychotherapy to help structure your mindset, know how to deal with stress and deal with signs and symptoms that arise.
In addition, social skills training, family therapy, and occupational rehabilitation can also be carried out.
Some people with schizophrenia also need support to carry out daily activities. Therefore, family members or relatives who live together also have an important role in treating people with schizophrenia.
Prevention
There is no specific way that has been fully proven to prevent schizophrenia. However, early treatment of this condition can control symptoms before serious complications develop that can affect the person’s long-term condition.
Ensuring that treatment is carried out properly can prevent the symptoms from getting worse.