Understanding Schizophrenia

What is Schizophrenia?

It is a group of brain disorders in which people interpret reality abnormally. It may be combined with hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behaviors. Schizophrenia is a chronic condition, and requires lifelong treatment.

Who does it effect?

Schizophrenia effects males and females equally. Ages of onset in males is early teens – late twenties and for females it is twenties – thirties.

What part of the brain gets effected?

• Frontal Lobe: thinking, problem solving, decision making and planning
• Temporal Lobe: Auditory information and speech production
• Hippocampus: Long term memory and emotional responses like fear

Potential cause of Schizophrenia?

Cause is unknown

On the other hand, researchers do believe that combination of genetics and environment contribute to disease development. Potentially can cause a problem with neurotransmitters dopamine and glutamate (interesting fact: Most medications are designed to affect the function of these neurotransmitters)

Some of the risk factors?

• Family History
• Exposure to viruses, toxins or malnutrition while in womb (in first and second trimesters)
• Stressful life circumstances
• Older paternal age
• Taking psychoactive drugs during adolescence and young adulthood

What are some clinical manifestations?

• Delusions
• Hallucinations (Visual or auditory)
• disorganized speech
• disorganized behavior (dressing inappropriately, crying frequently)

Major complication Schizophrenia can cause?

If left untreated, can result into emotional, behavioral and health problems:

• Suicide/ self – injury
• Depression
• Abuse of alcohol, drugs or prescription medications
• Poverty/ homelessness
• Inability to work or attend school
• Heart disease, often related to heavy smoking

How to support yourself with Schizophrenia?

• Manage stress – Stress can trigger psychosis and make the symptoms of schizophrenia worse.
• Get Plenty of sleep
• Avoid Alcohol and drugs
• Maintain connections – surround yourself with people who understand this and can make the transition back into daily social life smoother.

How to support a friend or family member with Schizophrenia?

• Respond calmly – The hallucinations seem real, so do not respond with “you are imagining”. Calmly explain and listen but being respectful without tolerating dangerous or inappropriate behavior.
• Pay attention to triggers – Understand them and avoid as much as possible
• Understand their lack of awareness – Rather than telling people with Schizophrenia what is right and wrong or there or not, support and help them to be safe, get therapy.
• Help avoid drugs or alcohol