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What is Schizophrenia?
What are the different types of schizophrenia?
How Do You Get Schizophrenia?
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
How can you find out if you have schizophrenia?
How is schizophrenia treated?
What about my medications? Antipsychotic Medications
What about my medications? Atypical Antipsychotic Medications
Why am I on Antidepressants?
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder in which you lose contact with reality. It is associated with the loss of ability to function emotionally. Schizophrenia is a very common disease worldwide. About one in 100 people are affected, most commonly men between the ages of 18 and 25 and women between the ages of 26 and 45. Contrary to common belief, schizophrenia is not the same as split or multiple personality disorder, rather it influences the way people think and react to situations. It is generally a long term (lifelong) disorder.
What are the different types of schizophrenia?
There is some debate over whether schizophrenia represents a single disorder or a number of syndromes with different underlying causes. Types of schizophrenia are therefore loosely classified according to symptoms that are most prominent:
Paranoid Schizophrenia: This type is marked by hallucinations of sound and delusions
Hebephrenic or Disorganized Schizophrenia: This type describes cases where speech is affected, behaviour is inappropriate, and there is little expression of emotions.
Catatonic Schizophrenia: This affects a persons mobility, which can be impaired, excessive or include unusual postures.Undifferentiated Schizophrenia This type includes symptoms of all the above types.
How Do You Get Schizophrenia?
The causes of schizophrenia are not known. Damage to brain structures, imbalance in the level of certain neurotransmitters, viral brain infections, genetics, and emotional stress can all be triggers
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
People who have schizophrenia are often considered to have lost contact with reality (psychosis). Symptoms generally fall into three categories: Defecit or Negative Symptoms, referring to emotional flattening. Thought Disorder and Bizarre Behaviour, a characteristic symptom of thought disorder is disorganized thinking. Bizarre behaviour generally takes the form of silliness, agitation, or unusual conduct and appearance. Delusions and Hallucinations. The former may affect any of the five senses whilst Delusions are unusual thoughts or beliefs that have no grounding in reality.
How can you find out if you have schizophrenia?
No specific test exists for schizophrenia. Your doctor or specialist (such as a psychiatrist) may note your symptoms and medical history, and give you a full physical exam. In general, symptoms must be ongoing for at least six months, and have affected your ability to work, socialize, or function in general, for a diagnosis to be made. Information from friends or family about your behaviour may also be helpful in making the diagnosis. CT or MRI scans and blood and urine tests may be used to rule out other possible diagnoses.
How is schizophrenia treated?
There is no known cure for schizophrenia. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms, the possibility of recurrent episodes, and to help you cope and retain your independence. You may be admitted to hospital for treatment. Treatments include Medications: Antipsychotic, Atypical Antipsychotics and Antidepressants and also Psychotherapy: Group, Individual and Family therapy and Rehabilitation
What about my medications? Antipsychotic Medications
Antipsychotic medications such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol and thioridazine are used to lessen or stop delusions and hallucinations. They are generally available in daily pill form, or a long lasting, injectable form. They may also significantly lower the number of psychotic episodes (when people with schizophrenia lose contact with reality). However, antipsychotic medications may cause side effects such as drowsiness, weight gain, or tremors. Antipsychotics must generally be taken on a longterm basis.
What about my medications? Atypical Antipsychotic Medications
These are newer antipsychotic drugs, such as chozapine, risperidone, olanzapine and quetiapine. These generally treat negative symptoms, as well as delusions and hallucinations. Some atypical antipsychotics may be more effective than traditional antipsychotics, but may cause more severe side effects.
Why am I on Antidepressants?
Depression may make other symptoms of schizophrenia worse, so your doctor may prescribe you antidepressants.
