Schizophrenia, a disease of the brain, is one of the most disabling and emotionally devastating illnesses known to human.

It is a complex illness in which people have difficulties in their thought processes, leading to hallucinations, delusions, disordered thinking, and unusual speech or behavior. It is characterized disintegration of thought processes and of emotional . It has received attention and its victims have been undeservingly stigmati It is not a split personality, but a rare different disorder. It has a biological basis, and it is not by bad parenting or personal weakness. While there is no known cure for schizophrenia, it is a very treatable disease. Most of those afflicted by schizophrenia respond to drug therapy, and many are able to lead productive and fulfilling lives.

different types of SCHIZOPHRENIA

 Is marked by thoughts of conspiracy or prosecution, (which are prominent, but delusional in mind) or auditory hallucinations. The patients however are more capable of working and are better at relationships than those having the other 4 types of schizophrenia The life lead is much more normal, specially if they can manage the disease.

Their delusions and hallucinations circle around particular themes which do not change frequently.
The patients may be hesitant in discussing their illness, however it becomes important for the patient to discuss their thought reflections openly. This could be difficult where paranoia or suspicions are high.

 this type of schizophrenia is marked by disorganized thought patterns, with less of delusion and hallucination difficulties. The ability to normal functioning of regular living might get seriously impaired, and might include trouble in performing routine activities such as brushing, bathing,etc. For instance, the patients emotions may fluctuate greatly, or might be unjustified in a given circumstance, with unordinary responses of emotions (flat or blunted effect). The communication ability might get impaired, with a practically incomprehensible speech, owing to disorganized thought patterns.

Hebephrenic was the term used in the past for this subtype.

 the schizophrenia types symptoms that are predominant are movement imbalances. It may be catatonic excitement, (hyper activity), or catatonic stupor, (reduction in performance of activity). Immobility or resistance to change in appearance may be noticed. The patient may stay immovable, preferring to stay in the same poise as placed in by another person, for a prolonged time and they might show extreme resistance to another persons attempt in helping at repositioning.

 In this schizophrenia type, the patients symptoms may fluctuate, or might stay excessively stable, causing a doubt in placing it under any other sub type. The best schizophrenia types definition for this type of schizophrenia is mixed clinical condition.

 Here the symptoms have become less severe, and though idiosyncratic behaviors, delusions or hallucinations, maybe still present, they appear less prominent as they were in the worst days of illness. Different impairments affect different people in different degrees. While some need custodial care, others may have a fairly normal career and family life.

 Schizophrenia symptoms usually develop slowly over months or years. Sometimes you may have many symptoms, and at other times you may only have a few. People with any type of schizophrenia may have difficulty keeping friends and working. They may also have problems with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. It can be divided into two groups- positive and negative Positive symptoms- acute phase of illness, are more response to treatment with psychotic drugs.

Negative symptoms- chronic phase of illness, are more resistant to drug treatment.

 Are psychotic behaviors not seen in healthy people. People with positive symptoms often "lose touch" with reality. These symptoms can come and go. Sometimes they are severe and at other times hardly noticeable, depending on whether the individual is receiving treatment.

They include the following: Strongly held beliefs that are not based in reality (delusions) Hearing or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations) Thought disorder Movement disorder Abnormality of mood( eg anxiety, depression etc)

 60-80% of patients who suffer from acute psychotic illness will suffer further illness and become chronically affected. The factors are including: Age of onset, which typically for schizophrenia, is late teenage to age 30 years. Reports of a childhood which indicate not mixing or a rather shy and withdrawn personality. A poor work record. A desire for social isolation. Being single and not seeming to have sexual relationships.

 Are associated with disruptions to normal emotions and behaviors. These symptoms are harder to recognize as part of the disorder and can be mistaken for depression or other conditions. These symptoms include the following: "Flat affect" (a person's face does not move or he or she talks in a dull or monotonous voice) Lack of pleasure in everyday life Lack of ability to begin and sustain planned activities Speaking little, even when forced to interact.

Cognitive symptoms are similar to negative symptoms but may be difficult to recognize as part of the disorder. Often, they are detected only when other tests are performed.

Cognitive symptoms include the following: Poor "executive functioning" (the ability to understand information and use it to make decisions) Trouble focusing or paying attention Problems with "working memory (the ability to use information immediately after learning it).
Cognitive symptoms often make it hard to lead a normal life and earn a living. They can cause great emotional distress. Symptoms can vary, depending on the type of schizophrenia you have.

 Paranoid schizophrenia symptoms may include: Anxious Angry or argumentative False believes that others are trying to harm you or your loved ones. Disorganized schizophrenia symptoms may include: Problems with thinking and expressing ideas clearly Childlike behavior Showing little emotion

Catatonic schizophrenia symptoms may include: Lack of activity Muscles and posture may be rigid Grimaces or other odd expressions on the face Does not respond much to other people

 Undifferentiated schizophrenia symptoms may include symptoms of more than one other type of schizophrenia.
People with residual schizophrenia have some symptoms, but not as many as those who are in a full-blown episode of schizophrenia.

 Family Factor Relatives of people with schizophrenia are at risk ; and the risk INCREASES as the genetic relationship between the person with schizophrenia and another relative become closer. Twin Factor Recent studies proved that the risk for identical (MZ) twins is greater than the risk for fraternal (DZ) twins; because MZ twins are GENETICALLY IDENTICAL. Adoption Factor Heston(1966) followed up with 47 people born between 1915-1945 to women with schizophrenia. The infants were however separated from their mother at birth & raised by foster or adaptive parents Assessment revealed 16.6% of the offspring were diagnosed for the development of schizophrenia

E.g.: norepinephrine, serotonin & glutamate- present research

Main neurotransmitter attached to schizophrenia is DOPAMINE. Dopamine Theory plays important role.

 Schizophrenia is related to excess activity of the neurotransmitter DOPAMINE. Is based principally on the knowledge that drugs effective in treating schizophrenia REDUSE DOPAMINE LEVEL.

it is also noted that antipsychotic drugs, used for treating schizophrenia produce side effects resembling the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Parkinsons disease- is caused by the reduced level of dopamine in a particular part in brain. With this knowledge, it is natural to conjecture(conclude) that schizophrenia is result from excess activity in dopamine nerve tracts.
At 1st the researches assumed that schizophrenia was caused by elevation of dopamine level; but as other studies progressed, this assumption turned to be less supported.

Schizophrenia affects everything about us which makes us think, feel & behave.
But it is not like a single type of brain abnormality can cause schizophrenia. After research done for years, it is found that among the most well-replicated findings of brain abnormalities are enlargement of ventricles and dysfunction in the prefrontal cortex.

 Enlarged ventricles Studies reveal that people with schizophrenia develop enlarged ventricles; which causes loss of brain cells. However it is also known this is not specific to schizophrenia only- bipolar disorder. Prefrontal Cortex[PC] dysfunction PC is known to play a role in behaviors (speech, decision-making, goal-directed) which are disrupted by schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia perform more poorly on tests like memory test (occurs in prefrontal cortex).

 Psychological stress plays a role by interacting with a genetic or neurobiological vulnerability to produce this illness. Research shows increase in life stress increases the likelihood of a relapse of schizophrenia.

However people with schizophrenia appear to be reactive to even the stressor we all encounter in daily life.
Socioeconomic status Family-related Factors

Antipsychotics The most common medical treatment for schizophrenia, they change the balance of chemicals in the brain and can help control symptoms. Classic schizophrenia : Thorazine, Fluanxol, and Haloperidol ( are very effective in treating the positive symptoms of schizophrenia) Newer "atypical" medications: Risperdal, Clozaril, and Aripiprazole. (are recommended for first-line treatment and are also good at reducing positive symptoms.) Antidepressants Antidepressants are recommended because they can successfully reduce the symptoms of depression in these patients. Psychotherapy Psychotherapy of some type is highly recommended treatment. Cognitive therapy, psychoeducation, and family therapy can all help schizophrenics deal with their symptoms and learn to operate in society.

Although medication is almost always necessary in the treatment of schizophrenia, hence people with schizophrenia also need services and support to overcome the illness and to deal with the fear, isolation, and stigma often associated with it. Collaborative decision making. It is extremely important for patient, family, and clinician to make decisions together about treatments and goals to work toward. Joint decision making is recommended at every stage of the illness. As patients recover, they can take an increasingly active part in making decisions about the management of their own illness. Training and assistance with activities of daily living. Most people who are recovering from schizophrenia want to become more independent. Some people may need assistance learning how to better manage everyday things like shopping, budgeting, cooking, laundry, personal hygiene, and social/leisure activities.

Supportive Therapy involves providing emotional support and reassurance, reinforcing health-promoting behavior, and helping the person accept and adjust to the illness and make the most of his or her capabilities. However, individual and group therapy can provide important support, skill building, and friendship for patients during the stabilization phase after an acute episode and during the maintenance phase. Self-Help Groups Family and peer support and advocacy groups are very active and provide useful information and assistance for patients and families of patients with schizophrenia and other mental disorders. Family Education Very often, patients with schizophrenia are discharged from the hospital into the care of their family; so it is important that family members learn all they can about schizophrenia and understand the difficulties and problems associated with the illness.

STEP 1

o Observe if your friend experience frequent mood swings without anyone provoking them. o Observe their level of anxiety.

STEP 2

STEP 3

o Observe if your friend see or hear that are not real or delusion.
o Observe if your friend has inappropriate or abnormal behavior in school, workplace or in the public.
o Observe if your friend are having any repetitive activity being done, such as repetitive hand washing or showering. o Check if your friend shows cuts or intended wounds and notice if they are experiencing abrupt weight loss

STEP 4

STEP 5

STEP 6

STEP 7

o Observe if your friend has indicated with drug or alcohol abuse.

o If your friend has these symptoms continually or over several months, get them to the authorized person to be treated such as physician or psychologist.

STEP 8