Schizophrenia Overview

Schizophrenia is a group of psychotic illnesses which lead to a deterioration in a person’s social, occupational and personal functioning because of faulty thought processes like delusions, bizarre perceptions, weird emotional states and problems with motor functioning (motor abnormalities). This is a debilitating disorder that not only affects the individual who is suffering from it, but also affects the individual’s family. Therefore, the social and psychological costs of schizophrenia are astoundingly high. Unlike other mental illnesses, like depression or bipolar disorder, schizophrenia can affect any of the sexes and is found in almost all the communities. Although, individuals who may have other psychological illnesses are more prone to schizophrenia. Generally, schizophrenia is diagnosed among people above the age of 30 years, but in certain cases, its symptoms may be visible at the onset of early adulthood.

In several conditions, schizophrenia may also affect the physical health of the individual as it may result in catatonia (assuming awkward positions for hours) and motor abnormalities. In some cases, the patient may also pose a threat to himself and the people around her/him because of delusions and hallucinations. People suffering from the symptoms of schizophrenia require intense treatment and proper care.

There may be certain outer physical manifestations of the diseases in the form of delusions (false beliefs held on inadequate grounds), hallucinations (perceptions occurring without the presence of a stimuli) and motor abnormalities. It must be remembered that some people might consider that a person showing symptoms of schizophrenia is possessed by demons or ghosts, but this is not true. Schizophrenia is purely a psychological condition and isn’t attributed to theories of possession.

Help and support is crucial, not only for a patient suffering from schizophrenia but also her/his family and loved ones. This mental illness cannot be possibly prevented as the causes of the disorder are unknown. But with help and observation, the symptoms can be recognized and the patient can be referred for treatment. Symptoms of schizophrenia are divided in two types: ‘positive’ symptoms are often referred to as pathological excesses. Herein, the patient may exhibit symptoms of delusions (like they are deliberately victimized or are specially empowered), hallucinations (like hearing voices or smell of smoke) and formal thought disorders or illogical thinking.

‘Negative’ symptoms are those wherein the patient may present emotions unsuited to a situation, may have poverty of speech and show little anger. They may assume awkward positions for hours (catatonia). A patient may present either positive or negative symptoms on the basis of which her/his type of schizophrenia is diagnosed. The disorder is diagnosed through a variety of lab tests, interviews and projective techniques. Brain scans may be used to rule out any lesions, tumors or injury from drug abuse that may be causing the symptoms.

Overcoming this disorder requires help and support from a professional psychiatrist, psychotherapist and counselor. In most cases, anti-psychotic drugs such as chloropromazine, haloperidol, phulphenazine and others may be used to treat the symptoms. People respond to different medications in different ways and, therefore, their effect varies. But generally, response to the drugs begins within a few weeks. The treatments, therefore, last depending upon the symptoms and the response of the patient’s body towards medications. Most of these drugs have some side effects and the psychiatrist has to plan carefully before prescribing any medications. Some of these drugs cause drowsiness, dizziness, sensitivity to sun, skin rashes and menstrual problems. Some others may cause tremors or rigidity. But the medications cannot be self-prescribed and should not be stopped without professional consultation.

Along with this, the patient may undergo a variety of therapies like psychoanalytic therapy or cognitive behavior therapy. The patient’s family may also be counseled to deal with the phenomenal effects of this disorder. The fight against schizophrenia is difficult, but with adequate support and assistance, the patient and his family can deal with the disorder and enjoy a normal life