SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by abnormal behavior, strange

speech, and a decreased ability to understand reality.

Schizophrenia is a challenging disorder that often makes it difficult to distinguish

between what is real and unreal, to think clearly manage emotions, relate to
others, and function normally.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that usually appears in late adolescence or

early adulthood.

Many may also resist treatment, arguing that there is nothing wrong with them.

People with schizophrenia often have additional mental health problems such as
anxiety, depression, or substance-use disorders.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA?

DELUSIONS - These are false beliefs that are not based in reality. For example, you
think that you’re being harmed or harassed; certain gestures or comments are
directed at you.

HALLUCINATIONS - These usually involve seeing or hearing things that don’t exist.
Yet for the person with schizophrenia, they have the full force and Impact of a
normal experience. Hallucinations can be in any of the senses, but hearing voices
is the most common hallucination.

DISORGANIZED THINKING (SPEECH) - Disorganized thinking is inferred from

disorganized speech. Effective communication can be impaired, and answers to
questions may be partially or completely unrelated. Rarely, speech may include
putting together meaningless words that can’t be understood.
EXTREMELY DISORGANIZED OR ABNORMAL MOTOR BEHAVIOUR - This may show
in a number of ways, from childlike silliness to unpredictable agitation. Behavior
isn’t focused on a goal, so it’s hard to do tasks. Behavior can include resistance to
instructions, inappropriate or bizarre posture, a complete lack of response, or
useless and excessive movement.

NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS - This refers to reduced or lack of ability to function

normally. For example, the person may neglect personal hygiene or appear to lack
emotion (doesn’t make eye contact, doesn’t change facial expressions or speaks
in a monotone). Also, the person may have lose interest in everyday activities.

PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS

Psychotic disorders are a group of serious illnesses that affect the mind. They
make it hard for someone to think clearly, make good judgments, respond
emotionally, communicate effectively, understand reality, and behave
appropriately.

people with psychotic disorders have trouble staying in touch with reality and
often are unable to handle daily life.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS:

Schizophrenia - People with this illness have changes in behavior and other
symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations that last longer than 6 months. It
usually affects them at work or school, as well as their relationships.

Schizoaffective disorder - People have symptoms of both schizophrenia and a

mood disorder such as depression or bipolar disorder.

Brief psychotic disorder - People with this illness have a sudden, short period of
psychotic behavior, often in response to a very stressful event, such as a death in
the family.

Delusional disorder - The key symptom is having a delusion (a false, fixed belief)
involving a real-life situation that could be true but isn’t, such as being followed,
being plotted against, or having a disease.

Shared psychotic disorder (also called folie à deux) - This illness happens when
one person in a relationship has a delusion and the other person in the
relationship adopts it, too.

Substance-induced psychotic disorder - This condition is caused by the use of or

withdrawal from drugs, such as hallucinogens and crack cocaine, that cause
hallucinations, delusions, or confused speech.

Psychotic disorder due to another medical condition - Hallucinations, delusions,

or other symptoms may happen because of another Illness that affects brain
function, such as a head injury or brain tumor.