Home :: Family Health :: Schizophrenia Schizophrenia - Schizophrenia symptom, treatment, causes
Schizophrenia is a chronic psychosis characterised by disturbed thought. perception, emotions and behaviour. Schizophrenia is most often diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 10, and is the most common of the psychoses. The cause is not clear but is believed to be a complex interaction between a range of environmental and inherited factors. Many people who later develop schizophrenia have personality. traits such as shyness, sensitivity, unsociability, and an apparent lack of emotion.
Schizoid personality' is a phrase used to describe some people who have difficulty forming social relationships, often called 'loners'. 'Schizotypal personality' is a term that describes those who. in addition to being loners. show oddities of communication. perception, thinking and behaviour that are not severe enough to be considered psychotic.
Symptom of Schizophrenia
The onset is usually gradual, with increasing withdrawal and odd behaviour due to delusions, hallucinations and paranoia. Concentration becomes increasingly difficult, and speech and emotional responses are inappropriate to the circumstances. Some schizophrenic people develop CATATONIA (remaining motionless for long periods), while others have episodes of aggressive. destructive or violent behaviour that may be a danger to themselves or others. Most schizophrenics seem to suffer terribly from their tormented thinking.
Treatment of Schizophrenia
The mainstays of treatment are antipsychotic drugs to reduce the severity and torment of thought disorder, skilled psychotherapy, rehabilitation, and support for patients and their families. Initial admission to hospital is advised until drug control that produces the fewest side effects is established. Medication may need to be continued for years.
OUTLOOK About 10 per cent of patients recover and return to normal lives and occupations, of the remainder, most improve sufficiently, if treated, to resume some degree of independence. About 1 in 10 remains seriously disabled by the illness.
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