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Running Head: SCHIZOPHRENIA 1

Schizophrenia

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Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe illness that affects the brain of a human being. People who have

schizophrenia exhibit the following symptoms; they may hear voices that other people around

them cannot hear, they may feel as though people are trying to hurt them. Sometimes people who

have schizophrenia may barely make sense of what they are saying. This disorder may make it

impossible for the person suffering from it from it to keep a job or cater for themselves or perform

their daily activities. This paper will provide an in-depth study of the causes, symptoms, and

treatment of schizophrenia. The symptoms of this illness may be disabling. However, with the

proper treatment and care, numerous people who have schizophrenia may recover fully (Chris

Frith, 2003).

Schizophrenia can affect anyone; any gender, age or ethnic group. Children rarely develop

schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is most prevalent in people from the age of sixteen to thirty. Every

so often, men may develop the symptoms younger than women (Man Cheung Chung, 2004).

Some of the factors that lead to schizophrenia include; genes, as it may run in the family.

Different brain chemistry and structures are a contributory factor too. The symptoms of

schizophrenia vary from minor to severe. These symptoms are broken down into three groups, that

is, positive, cognitive and negative symptoms (Ming. T. Tsuang, 2011).

Positive Symptoms

Positive symptoms are experiences of psychosis that are never seen in healthy people.

People suffering from these symptoms cannot tell what is real from imagination. The symptoms

are hardly noticeable in some people and at other times very severe. Positive symptoms are;

hallucination is when one sees, smells and hears things that other people cannot hear, smell or see.

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Moreover, people experiencing this symptom may suffer from it overtime before friends and

family notice the condition.

Thought disorders are ways of thinking that are neither helpful or usual. People

experiencing thought disorders cannot unify their thoughts. The person may stop talking in the

middle of a conversation. Alternatively, they will make up words that have no apparent meaning.

Delusion in a person is characterized by impressions that are not considered sane or

rational. One may hold idiosyncratic beliefs. Typically, one will have faulty judgment. For

instance, a person may believe that a person on the television is talking to them. Now and then

delusional people may think they have impending danger- other are trying to injure them

(Csernansky, 2002).

Movement disorder is another positive symptom. One may seem to have agitated body

movements. A person possessing movement disorder may be in motion from time to time

repeatedly. In other cases, one may stop moving entirely; an uncommon condition that is called

catatonia (Ming. T. Tsuang, 2011).

Negative Symptoms

Negative symptoms are referred to complications in functioning normally or showing any

form of emotions. When a person with schizophrenia experiences negative symptoms it may seem

as if they are depressed. People with these symptoms often talk with a dull voice, may be sad or

have trouble having fun, may lack facial expressions, that is they may neither frown or smile. They

may also have a problem planning and doing one thing at a time. Moreover, they may have poverty

of speech, that is very little to talk to say even when they need to say something.

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Cognitive Symptoms

Cognitive symptoms can hardly be seen, but, they may make it impossible or hard for one

to perform their daily activities. For example, one may have trouble utilizing information to make

a decision. Also, they may not be able to use any information after learning. They will also have a

short attention span.

The Causes of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is one of those disorders whose causes are unknown by researchers. However, some

researchers believe that schizophrenia is linked to brain chemistry and genetics also the

environment. Certain brain chemicals; glutamate and dopamine are thought to cause

schizophrenia. Neuroimaging studies indicate that the structure of the brain and the central nervous

system of people who have schizophrenia is slightly different. Though researchers are uncertain

about the consequences of these variations; they state that schizophrenia is a brain condition (Ming.

T. Tsuang, 2011).

Although the causes of schizophrenia are unknown, several factors are known to increase

and or trigger schizophrenia, and these include; the older age of the father, amplified immune

system stimulation especially from autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. Family lineage with a

past of schizophrenia, having an older father, taking psychotropic and psychoactive drugs in

teenage and young adult years can contribute to one getting schizophrenia. Complications that

arise during pregnancy may expose a child to toxins that may contribute to viruses that will affect

their brain development.

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Effects of Schizophrenia

If schizophrenia is left unattended or untreated, it may result in several severe

complications that will grave consequences in the life of the person suffering from the disorder.

Complications that may arise or are linked to schizophrenia include; suicide thoughts and attempts,

pain and injury inflicted on oneself, inability to do anything (Csernansky, 2002). Also, one may

suffer from anxiety disorders and even obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Legal and financial

problems seem to linger in the lives of people who have schizophrenia. Abuse of drugs and

substance abuse becomes a major problem too. Depression amongst other medical and health

issues arise as a result of schizophrenia. One may feel victimized and becomes socially isolated

(Csernansky, 2002).

Prevention Measures

There are no specific prevention measures for schizophrenia but taking proper care of the

person who has schizophrenia and taking the medicines as prescribed by the doctor will ensure

that there is no relapse or even worsening of the symptoms of the disorder. Correspondingly,

having more information about this condition is helpful as it may result in early diagnosis and

treating of the disease (Ming. T. Tsuang, 2011).

Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

To identify this condition involves eliminating other mental disorders and finding the signs

that are not related to drug and or alcohol abuse, medication conditions. These conclusions are

drawn by carrying out physical examinations; that is done to help eliminate problems that could

be triggering symptoms. The purpose of a physical study is also to check if the condition has

resulted in complications.

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Tests are carried out and screening done on the patient to eliminate conditions that have

comparable symptoms. The physician or doctor may carry out a CT or MRI scan too. A psychiatric

evaluation is done to check the demeanor and appearance of the patient. At this point, the doctor

may ask about the patient and family history. He will also inquire about the patient’s moods,

delusions, hallucinations and thoughts for further diagnosis. Conclusively, the physician will use

the Statistical Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders which is a standard criterion to conclude

mental disorders for patients (Association, 2013).

Treatment of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia treatment involves two stages, that is medicine and rehabilitation that will

reduce the danger of any forthcoming psychotic episodes and contribute to better social relations.

Every patient experiences schizophrenia different hence it is essential to find the right treatment

for a particular patient. Medication and therapy are the most recommended currently and show

tremendous improvements in patients. The team of medics involved in treatment includes an

experienced psychiatrist in treating schizophrenia to guide the treatment, a psychiatric nurse,

psychologist, a social worker, and case managers responsible for the coordination of care. These

specialists are present in clinics with the proficiency in schizophrenia care and treatment

(Association, 2013).

Medication is a pillar of for treatment of schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medicine is the most

regularly administered drug as they mainly regulate the symptoms that are affecting the brain

neurotransmitter such as dopamine. The chief purpose of treatment with antipsychotic medicines

is to control the symptoms and signs at a lower dose efficiently. A therapist uses different drugs,

diverse combinations, and doses of the drug to achieve desired results. Antidepressants and anti-

anxiety drugs may also be added to the dosage for further control of the symptoms. A patient’s

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improvement may not be noticed immediately, but in a couple of weeks, you will see an

improvement in the symptoms (Man Cheung Chung, 2004).

This medication causes serious side effects and usually leads to a certain extent of

reluctance by people with schizophrenia to take the drugs, therefore, willingness to cooperate with

treatment is also a factor to consider in the choice of drug. Decisions like whether to administer

the medication in the form of an injection and not a pill are now considered. It is advisable for any

schizophrenic patient to inquire about any possible side effects of the drug being prescribed (Chris

Frith, 2003).

The medication may be classified into two based on their effects and efficiency in treating

schizophrenia. The medication is either first-generation antipsychotics or second-generation

antipsychotics. Second generation medication is preferred because of their low risk of severe side

effects. Some of the second-generation medicine include Aripiprazole (Abilify), Ziprasidone

(Geodon) and Asenapine (Saphris), The first-generation medication, on the other hand, has

frequent and much stronger neural side effects such as the resulting in movement disorders,

catatonia and tardive dyskinesia that are potentially irreversible. Some of the first-generation

antipsychotic include chlorpromazine and Fluphenazine (Csernansky, 2002). Moreover, they are

much cheaper compared to the second-generation medication, especially the generic version. This

is also a critical consideration especially if long-term treatment is required.

As the patient continues with medication, various forms of psychosocial interventions are

required once psychosis recedes. There are multiple levels of therapy including individual therapy,

family therapy, social skills training, supported employment and vocational rehabilitation.

Individual therapy mainly is required for regular thought patterns, manage stress and also identify

any further warning signs of relapse. General skill training is focused on the development of the

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patient’s communal interactions. On the other hand, family therapy is to provide support and

education to the families (Man Cheung Chung, 2004).

Most patients require a form of daily living support for the community. During crisis period

or severe symptoms, hospitalization is necessary for safety, appropriate nutrition, enough sleep

and basic hygiene. In cases where medical therapy does not work, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)

is used (Chris Frith, 2003). It is helpful in cases where one has depression

Lastly, it is important to note that copying with any mental problems such as schizophrenia

can be very challenging for the friends and family of the patient suffering from the condition. Some

of the coping mechanisms include; joining appropriate support groups to help family and friends

cope with the condition, asking for assistance will be helpful too. The affected people should learn

more about the condition to be able to deal with and manage the condition. Schizophrenia cannot

be cured but can be controlled to prevent any future relapses (Csernansky, 2002).

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References

Association, A. P. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. New York.

Chris Frith, E. C. (2003). Schizophrenia: A Very Short Introduction. New York: Oxford

University Press.

Csernansky, J. G. (2002). Schizophrenia: A New Guide for Clinicians. New York: CRC Press.

Man Cheung Chung, K. W. (2004). Reconceiving Schizophrenia. Chicago: Oxford University

Press.

Ming. T. Tsuang, S. V. (2011). Schizophrenia. New York: Oxford University Press.

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