Schizophrenia

Alternative Names

Schizophrenia, Catatonic Schizophrenia

What is Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious brain disorder characterized by abnormalities in the perception of reality. Schizophrenia can have devastating effects leaving the sufferer withdrawn, paranoid and delusional.

Signs and symptoms

• Disorganized speech
• Disorganized behavior
• Catatonic behavior
• Believe that have no basis in reality (delusions)
• Hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting things that don't exist in reality (hallucinations)
• Inhibition of facial expressions
• Lack of speech
• Lack of motivation

Possible complications

The most popular complications:

• Medical Illnesses
• Depression
• Effect on Social Status
• Effect on Intelligence
• Suicide
• Self-Destructive Behavior
• Smoking ( Nicotine helps reduce psychotic symptoms and impulsivity, perhaps by inhibiting the activity of a protein called monoamine oxidase B (MAO- B) which is linked to improved mood and possibly to nerve protection)
• Obesity and Diabetes
• Effect on Family Members

What causes

The main causes of Schizophrenia are considered to be:

• Heart disease
• Abnormalities in Brain Structure, Circuitry and Chemicals
• Genetic Factors
• Infectious Factors
• Psychologic Factors

Prevention

Schizophrenia cannot be prevented. However, research in this area is very active and it may be possible to offer some useful suggestions regarding prevention in the near future. Antipsychotic medications can alleviate the symptoms of schizophrenia, about 50% of people with schizophrenia will suffer one or more relapses within one year. People with schizophrenia and their families should be given a detailed information about the symptoms of schizophrenia, the course of the disease and the importance of taking their medication.

Treatment

Though there is no treatment for schizophrenia,there are a lot of treatment options exist:

• Antipsychotics ( Thorazine, Fluanxol, and Haloperidol, Risperdal, Clozaril, and Aripiprazole)
• Antidepressants
• Psychotherapy
• Glycine Supplements ( it helps to alleviate negative symptoms in schizophrenics by up to 24%)
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: found in fish oils, Omega-3 fatty acids high in EPA can help to reduce positive and negative symptoms associated with schizophrenia.
• Antioxidants (Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Alpha Lipoic Acid show a 5 to 10% improvement in symptoms of the disorder)