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Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain. It can seriously disturb the
way people think, feel, and relate to others.
About one person in 100 develops schizophrenia. Men and women are affected
equally; however, men tend to have their first episode of schizophrenia
in their late teens or early 20s. With women, the onset is usually a
few years later. In most cases, the illness can start so gradually that
people will begin to have symptoms, but they and their families may
not be aware of the illness for a long time. In some cases, however,
the onset is rapid.
Phases
Schizophrenia has three phases -- prodromal (or beginning), active
and residual. These phases tend to happen in order and appear in cycles
throughout the course of the illness. During a lifetime, people with
schizophrenia may become actively ill once or twice, or have many more
episodes.
Prodromal phase
In the prodromal phase, people may begin to lose interest in their
usual activities and to withdraw from friends and family members. They
may become easily confused, have trouble concentrating, and feel listless
and apathetic, preferring to spend most of their days alone. They may
also become intensely preoccupied with religion or philosophy. This
phase can last weeks or months.
Active phase
During schizophrenia's active phase, people may have delusions, hallucinations,
marked distortions in thinking and disturbances in behaviour and feelings.
This phase is often the most frightening to the person with schizophrenia,
and to others.
Residual phase
After an active phase, people may be listless, have trouble concentrating
and be withdrawn. The symptoms in this phase are similar to those outlined
under the prodromal phase.
Symptoms
The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into two categories -- "positive"
and "negative" symptoms. Positive symptoms (sometimes called
psychotic symptoms) refer to symptoms that appear; negative symptoms
refer to elements that are taken away from a person.
Positive Symptoms
Positive symptoms include:
- delusions (fixed, false beliefs that are not consistent with the
person's culture, and have no basis in fact)
- hallucinations (people hear, see, taste, smell or feel something
that does not actually exist)
- disorganized thought (unconnected thoughts that make it impossible
to communicate clearly with other people)
- disorganized mood (finding it hard to express feelings; feeling
inappropriate or intense bursts of emotion; feeling empty of any emotions)
- disorganized behaviour (cannot complete everyday tasks such as bathing,
dressing appropriately and preparing simple meals)
- changes in sensitivity (more sensitive and aware of other people;
or withdrawn and seeming to pay no attention to others).
Negative symptoms
- slowing of physical activity levels or, more rarely, overactivity
- reduced motivation, for example problems finishing tasks or making
long-term plans
Causes
No single cause has been found for schizophrenia, although there is
a clear genetic link. Research has given us clues in the search for
better ways to diagnose and treat the illness.
Treatments
People with schizophrenia may be treated as outpatients or they may
be hospitalized. Treatment usually consists of medication and psychosocial
interventions. Throughout treatment, families can receive support and
education during sessions with the treatment team.
Antipsychotic medications are the main class of drugs used to treat
schizophrenia. . They relieve symptoms of psychosis and may help to
prevent a relapse. Other medications may be prescribed to help manage
the side effects of antipsychotics or to treat particular symptoms such
as depression, anxiety or sleep difficulties.
Schizophrenia usually develops in young people during the years when
they would normally develop the skills needed for independent living.
A variety of psychosocial interventions such as case management, counselling,
and housing programs are often used to help develop these skills.
Family counselling can help people with schizophrenia and their families
understand and manage problems associated with the illness.
It is important to try to avoid relapses by following the prescribed
treatment.
Recovery
It is impossible to predict how well a person will recover after the
onset of the disorder. Some will recover almost totally. Some people
will need medication and support for the rest of their lives.
Misconceptions
People with schizophrenia have "split" or "multiple
personalities."
People with schizophrenia have symptoms such as disorganized thinking,
delusions, hallucinations and changes in emotion and behaviour. Multiple
personality disorder (MPD) is a condition associated with serious childhood
physical, sexual, or psychological trauma. MPD is not a brain disorder.
People with schizophrenia are dangerous and violent.
People with schizophrenia aren't any more dangerous than other people
in society -- with one exception: they can be a danger to themselves.
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