Schizophrenia



Schizophrenia

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a major adult mental illness characterized by hallucinations, delusions, reduced motivation and drive, and cognitive impairments that has a significant impact on all aspects of functioning, including work and school, social relationships, and self-care and independent living skills. Although schizophrenia was once thought to be caused by disturbed family interaction patterns, it is now understood that the cause of the disease is biological, while it also interacts with the environment (Amador, 2000).

Because the onset of schizophrenia usually occurs in late adolescence or early adulthood, the family members are often involved in first recognizing signs of the disturbance in their relative and then assisting him or her in obtaining treatment and getting his or her living needs met. Schizophrenia can be a confusing illness, both for individuals who have it and for family members and friends, who may be at a loss to understand the transformation in the person's thinking, behavior, and functioning that marks the onset of the disorder. Thus, schizophrenia has a profound impact on the family. However, the family can play an important role in the treatment of persons with this disorder.

Discussion

Schizophrenia is a major mental illness that affects all aspects of daily living, including functioning at work and school, social relationships, and self-care. The lifetime prevalence of schizophrenia is approximately 1 %, with the disorder present at relatively stable rates throughout all countries and cultures of the world. Schizophrenia is characterized by three broad types of symptoms, including psychotic symptoms (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, bizarre behavior), negative symptoms (e.g., apathy; anhedonia, or lack of pleasure; poverty of speech), and cognitive impairments (e.g., problems with attention, psychomotor speed, memory, abstract reasoning or problem solving). Lack of insight into the disorder is also common but not universal (Falloon, 2004).

Causes

The cause of schizophrenia is not yet discovered. However, most experts agree that a number of factors combined with a genetic risk contributed to the development of the disease. It is thought that the risk of diabetes or heart problems exists in families; it is believed that the propensity to schizophrenia also has a genetic link. For example, if one identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin is between 50 to 60 percent chance of contracting the disease, as well (Castle, 2008).

Some theories suggest that because schizophrenia usually appears first during the hormonal changes of puberty, these changes are causing the disease in those predisposed to it. Also, consider other external factors such as viral infections, high stress factors such as poverty or violence or other similar external factors as possible causes of the disorder.

Signs and Symptoms

In addition to the core symptoms of schizophrenia, several other symptoms and problems are common. Depression is often present and is one of the first signs of the illness, usually appearing several years before the onset of psychotic symptoms. The lifetime risk of suicide in people with schizophrenia is approximately 5%. Substance abuse is another common problem, with lifetime rates of alcohol or drug use disorders approximately 50% in people with schizophrenia, ...