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Symptoms of Schizophrenia Learn about the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Cognitive Symptoms of Schizophrenia These symptoms can be very stressful and interfere with the ability to lead a normal life. Learn more about these subtle signs. Types Types of Schizophrenia Learn about the 5 types of schizophrenia, each a bit different. This article will help you understand. Schizoaffective Disorder For some people, depression or bipolar disorder symptoms are also part of the mix. Click here to learn more. Brief Psychotic Disorder Like the name says, symptoms are relatively brief but still quite severe. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of brief psychotic disorder. Schizophreniform Disorder Find out how this short-term type of schizophrenia is different. Learn about the symptoms and treatment of schizophreniform disorder. Delusional Disorder Delusions are the main features of this serious condition. Find out the different types, symptoms, and treatment of delusional disorder. Shared Psychotic Disorder This is a rare condition in which an otherwise healthy person joins in on the delusions of a psychotic person. Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of shared psychotic disorder Complications Suicide and Schizophrenia
Suicide is the number one cause of premature death among people with schizophrenia. Its important to know warning signs and how to react. Substance Abuse, Nicotine, & Schizophrenia Learn how substance abuse can interfere with schizophrenia treatment and why so many people with schizophrenia smoke. Related Web Site: Schizophrenia and Homelessness Many people with schizophrenia end up homeless. Find out why and what can be done to help them live a good life. Violent Behavior & Schizophrenia People with schizophrenia are not especially prone to violence and often prefer to be left alone. Schizophrenia is an extremely complex mental disorder: in fact it is probably many illnesses masquerading as one. A biochemical imbalance in the brain is believed to cause symptoms. Recent research reveals that schizophrenia may be a result of faulty neuronal development in the fetal brain, which develops into full-blown illness in late adolescence or early adulthood. A simple explanation of how the brain works helps us to define schizophrenia. There are billions of nerve cells in the brain. Each nerve cell has branches that transmit and receive messages from other nerve cells. The nerve endings release chemicals, called neurotransmitters, which carry the messages from the end of one nerve branch to the cell body of another. In the brain afflicted with schizophrenia, something goes wrong in this communication system. The disorder may develop so gradually that it is undetectable in the person for a long time, or it may have a very sudden onset with rapid development. It most commonly strikes between the ages of 15 and 25 years. Schizophrenia does not discriminate. It is found world wide, affecting both men and women, people of all races, cultures, and social classes. Currently, there is no method for preventing schizophrenia and there is no cure. Minimizing the impact of disease depends mainly on early diagnosis and, appropriate pharmacological and psycho-social treatments. Hospitalization may be required to stabilize ill persons during an acute episode. The need for hospitalization will depend on the severity of the episode. Mild or moderate episodes may be appropriately addressed by intense outpatient treatment. A person with schizophrenia should leave the hospital or outpatient facility with a treatment plan that will minimize symptoms and maximize quality of life.
This phase of the illness is often the most frightening for ill persons and their loved ones. Once the active phase of the disease has been stabilized through treatment, an ill person may experience some of the negative, cognitive and/or emotional symptoms of schizophrenia. Early warning signs of schizophrenia may be visible during the beginning or prodromal phase of the illness. This phase can last for weeks or months, before an ill person moves into the active phase of schizophrenia. Early warning signs can include: * Deterioration of personal hygiene * Social withdrawal, isolation and/or reclusiveness * A shift in basic personality * Inappropriate laughter * Dropping out of activitie is SchizophreniaTreated? * Antipsychotic medication * Education & support, for both ill individuals and families * Social skills training * Rehabilitation to improve activities of daily living * Vocational and recreational support * Cognitive therapy Medication is one of the cornerstones of treatment. Once the acute stage of a psychotic episode has passed, most people with schizophrenia will need to take medicine indefinitely. This is because vulnerability to psychosis doesnt go away, even though some or all of the symptoms do. In North America, atypical or secondgeneration antipsychotic medications are the most widely used. However, there are many first-generation antipsychotic medications available that may still be prescribed. A doctor will prescribe the medication that is the most effective for the ill individual.