Noticing schizophrenia

It’s mental disorder that makes you unable to control your personality or in short, we can say that in your body there’re two people with two different personality and thought. That’s sound scary, isn’t it? Therefore, it’s important for you to know the Schizophrenia Symptoms, so, if you found it on you or other people that you know, you or that people can get the treatment for this problem.

The first and common schizophrenia symptoms that you need to notice is hallucination. The hallucination symptoms can be classified into four categories. There’s tactile hallucination. Person who has this symptom will feel that there’s something that touch their body, like many insects moving all over their body. The next category is auditory hallucination. If someone that you know or yourself can hear something or communicate with someone that’s not existed in real life, that’s one of sign of this hallucination.

 

what causes schizophrenia

Genes and environment. Scientists have long known that schizophrenia runs in families. The illness occurs in 1 percent of the general population, but it occurs in 10 percent of people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder, such as a parent, brother, or sister. People who have second-degree relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, or cousins) with the disease also develop schizophrenia more often than the general population. The risk is highest for an identical twin of a person with schizophrenia. He or she has a 40 to 65 percent chance of developing the disorder.¹⁵
We inherit our genes from both parents. Scientists believe several genes are associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia, but that no gene causes the disease by itself.¹⁶ In fact, recent research has found that people with schizophrenia tend to have higher rates of rare genetic mutations. These genetic differences involve hundreds of different genes and probably disrupt brain development.¹⁷
Other recent studies suggest that schizophrenia may result in part when a certain gene that is key to making important brain chemicals malfunctions. This problem may affect the part of the brain involved in developing higher functioning skills.¹⁸ Research into this gene is ongoing, so it is not yet possible to use the genetic information to predict who will develop the disease.
Despite this, tests that scan a person's genes can be bought without a prescription or a health professional's advice. Ads for the tests suggest that with a saliva sample, a company can determine if a client is at risk for developing specific diseases, including schizophrenia. However, scientists don't yet know all of the gene variations that contribute to schizophrenia. Those that are known raise the risk only by very small amounts. Therefore, these "genome scans" are unlikely to provide a complete picture of a person's risk for developing a mental disorder like schizophrenia.

Facts about schizophrenia

 Here are some facts about the illness

1. It is estimated that more than 2.7 million Americans now have schizophrenia. There are more Americans with schizophrenia than there are residents of North Dakota and Wyoming combined. 
2. One of every hundred Americans will fall victim to schizophrenia. 
3. Three-quarters of persons with schizophrenia develop the illness between 16 and 25 years of age. Initial onset before age 14 and after age 30 is unusual. 
4. Schizophrenia is not the same as “split personality.” The illness depicted in The Three Faces of Eve” and “Sybil” is multiple personality disorder, or dissociative disorder — different from schizophrenia. 
5. Perhaps the most familiar symptoms of schizophrenia are hallucinations and delusions. Three-quarters of all persons with schizophrenia have these symptoms, although not all people who exhibit these symptoms have schizophrenia. 
6. The most common form of hallucinations are auditory experiences such as “voices.” Other forms of hallucinations include visions that cannot be externally validated, or certain perceptions of touch, smell or taste. 
7. Another “mistaken belief’ of a person with schizophrenia is a paranoid delusion in which a person may feel that he or she is being persecuted, when there is no basis for this in reality. Examples include a mistaken belief that the FBI or CIA is tapping one’s phone or that the Mafia is arranging for a hit man to “put one away.” 
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13 myths about schizophrenia

1. Individuals with schizophrenia all have the same symptoms.
2. People with schizophrenia are dangerous, unpredictable and out of control.
3. Schizophrenia is a character flaw.
4. Cognitive decline is a major symptom of schizophrenia.
5. There are psychotic and non-psychotic people.
6. Schizophrenia develops quickly.
7. Schizophrenia is purely genetic.
8. Schizophrenia is untreatable.
9. Sufferers need to be hospitalized.
10. People with schizophrenia can’t lead productive lives. 
11. Medaction make sufferers zombies. 
12. Antipshycotic medications are worse than the illness itself.
13. Individuals with schizophrenia can never regain normal functioning.

Delusions

A delusion is a firmly-held idea that a person has despite clear and obvious evidence that it isn’t true. Delusions are extremely common in schizophrenia, occurring in more than 90% of those who have the disorder. Often, these delusions involve illogical or bizarre ideas or fantasies. Common schizophrenic delusions include:

• Delusions of persecution – Belief that others, often a vague “they,” are out to get him or her. These persecutory delusions often involve bizarre ideas and plots (e.g. “Martians are trying to poison me with radioactive particles delivered through my tap water”).
• Delusions of reference – A neutral environmental event is believed to have a special and personal meaning. For example, a person with schizophrenia might believe a billboard or a person on TV is sending a message meant specifically for them.
• Delusions of grandeur – Belief that one is a famous or important figure, such as Jesus Christ or Napolean. Alternately, delusions of grandeur may involve the belief that one has unusual powers that no one else has (e.g. the ability to fly).
• Delusions of control – Belief that one’s thoughts or actions are being controlled by outside, alien forces. Common delusions of control include thought broadcasting (“My private thoughts are being transmitted to others”), thought insertion (“Someone is planting thoughts in my head”), and thought withdrawal (“The CIA is robbing me of my thoughts”).

Living with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia rarely occurs unexpectedly. Instead, it produces a gradual decline in functioning. There are usually early warning signs, referred to as the “prodrome,” which last one to three years, which provide the perfect place to intervene.
Early symptoms are the same as in psychotic illnesses, but “they are experienced at a milder, subthreshold level,” De Silva said. The key symptoms to look for are “suspiciousness, unusual thoughts, changes in sensory experience (hearing, seeing, feeling, tasting or smelling things that others don’t experience), disorganized communication (difficulty getting to the point, rambling, illogical reasoning) and grandiosity (unrealistic ideas of abilities or talents),” according to De Silva. Just one of these symptoms is the “greatest predictor of psychosis to date — greater than having a parent with schizophrenia,” she said. In fact, according to recent research, 35 percent of individuals who presented with one of these symptoms developed psychosis within 2.5 years. Substance use, such as alcohol and marijuana, also has been shown to boost risk.

“Your daughter has schizophrenia,” I told the woman.
“Oh, my God, anything but that,” she replied. “Why couldn’t she have leukemia or some other disease instead?”
“But if she had leukemia she might die,” I pointed out. “Schizophrenia is a much more treatable disease.”
The woman looked sadly at me, then down at the floor. She spoke softly. “I would still prefer that my daughter had leukemia.”psychiatrist and schizophrenia specialist E. Fuller Torrey, M.D., in Surviving Schizophrenia.

Ways to help your Self

Self-help methods for the treatment of this disorder are often overlooked by the medical profession because very few professionals are involved in them. Adjunctive community support groups in concurrence with psychotherapy is usually beneficial to most people who suffer from schizophrenia. Caution should be utilized, however, if the person's symptoms aren't under control of a medication. People with this disorder often have a difficult time in social situations, therefore a support group should not be considered as an initial treatment option. As the person progresses in treatment, a support group may be a useful option to help the person make the transition back into daily social life.
Another use of self-help is for the family members of someone who lives with schizophrenia. The stress and hardships causes of having a loved one with this disorder are often overwhelming and difficult to cope with for a family. Family members should use a support group within their community to share common experiences and learn about ways to best deal with their frustrations, feelings of helplessness, and anger.

Coping Guidelines For The Family

1. Establish a daily routine for the patient to follow.
2. Help the patient stay on the medication.
3. Keep the lines of communication open about problems or fears the patient may have.
4. Understand that caring for the patient can be emotionally and physically exhausting. Take time for yourself.
5. Keep your communications simple and brief when speaking with the patient.
6. Be patient and calm.
7. Ask for help if you need it; join a support group.