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Schizophrenia, from the Greek roots schizein ("to split") and phrēn, phren- ("mind"), is a psychiatric diagnosis that describes a mental illness characterized by impairments in the perception or expression of reality, most commonly manifesting as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions or disorganized speech and thinking in the context of significant social or occupational dysfunction. Onset of symptoms typically occurs in young adulthood. Diagnosis is based on the patient's self-reported experiences and observed behavior.
A diagnosis of schizophrenia is considered when a person experiences at least two of the following symptoms:
Delusions.
Hallucinations.
Disorganised speech
Irrational behaviour, rigidity, or floppiness of limbs.
negative symptoms, such as inaction, silence, loss of will.
These symptoms are usually accompanied by a substantial decrease in the ability to interact with others.
The onset of schizophrenia is usually characterised by the psychotic symptoms listed above or by strange behaviour or the symptoms can be less in severity.
Most report a sense of being different and not connected with others. They are often lonely and anxious and they do not know why they feel this way.
A person with this illness may have their own way of communicating and may not be able to stick with one idea, they may flit from one thought to another rapidly and not make sense to a person who is listening to them. These people can often be suspicious and can hear voices speaking to them.
There are many theories with regard to the cause of schizophrenia. Most specialists agree that symptoms are provoked by chemical disturbances of brain function. Genetics is another possible cause as well as particular family upbringing.
The mainstay of psychiatric treatment for schizophrenia is an antipsychotic medication. These can reduce the "positive" symptoms of psychosis. Most antipsychotics take around 7–14 days to have their main effect.
The concept of a cure as such remains controversial, as there is no consensus on the definition, although some criteria for the remission of symptoms have recently been suggested. The effectiveness of schizophrenia treatment is often assessed using standardized methods, one of the most common being the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Management of symptoms and improving function is thought to be more achievable than a cure. Treatment was revolutionized in the mid 1950s with the development and introduction of chlorpromazine. A recovery model is increasingly adopted, emphasizing hope, empowerment and social inclusion.
Hospitalization may occur with severe episodes of schizophrenia. This can be voluntary or (if mental health legislation allows it) involuntary (called civil or involuntary commitment). Long-term inpatient stays are now less common due to deinstitutionalization, although can still occur. Following (or in lieu of) a hospital admission, support services available can include drop-in centers, visits from members of a community mental health team or Assertive Community Treatment team, supported employment and patient-led support groups.
Because schizophrenia is such a serious and complex disorder, few natural therapies are known to be effective. However, research interest in schizophrenia has grown rapidly in recent years.
There are possibilities that certain supplements are able to help people with this illness. They are B complex, Choline, Zinc, vitamin C, vitamin E, and manganese.
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