Schizophrenia is a disease of society known as insanity or insane. This brain disorder causes changes in thinking and behavior as it can not distinguish between fantasy and reality.
The disease usually begins at age 15 to 30 years. The risk of developing schizophrenia nearly one percent of the overall population. Men more likely than women affected by this disease.
The cause of schizophrenia is unknown to date. From various studies, patients with schizophrenia are known to have abnormalities in brain structures such as the enlargement of the fluid-filled cavity of the brain (ventricles) and shrinkage of the brain-specific or brain dysfunction such as decreased metabolic activity in certain brain regions.
Hereditary factors greatly contribute to a person’s risk of schizophrenia. The risk increases if there are relatives who have it. The closer relatives, the greater the risk. If your grandfather had the disease, your risk is about three percent. If one of your parents have it, your risk of about 10 percent. If your parents or you have an identical twin, your risk of about 40 to 50 percent.
There susceptible genes that are known to increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Some of the genes that also increase the risk for other mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder (manic-depressive). Conversely, there are other genes that provide protection against mental disorders. Until now we do not know why they increase or decrease the risk.
However, genes do not explain everything. There are cases where only one of two monozygotic twins (who have identical genomes) are affected by this disease. Environmental conditions also seem to play an important role for the development of schizophrenia. There are so many environmental factors that may play a role, for example, complications during pregnancy or childbirth, infections during pregnancy, residence (urban vs. rural), drug use, etc..
To diagnose schizophrenia, psychiatrists look for two or more of the following symptoms of schizophrenia: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized behavior, catatonic behavior (no movement at all), emotion (compared to normal), difficulty speaking, or lack of purposeful behavior (trouble getting things to do). Diagnosis is made through interviews and observation patients. Because other problems can cause similar symptoms, seek psychiatric problems that lasted six months or more before they are diagnosed with schizophrenia. Various medical examination may also be done to eliminate other causes.
If you have a disease, you most likely do not realize that you are sick and need treatment. The role of the family is very important to be aware of the presence of this disease. Often, at this advanced stage patients should receive treatment that requires detention to protect patients and the environment.
Schizophrenia is very devastating to the patient and family. School life and work can be greatly affected by it. Nearly 10 percent of patients with schizophrenia commit suicide. However, you can learn to understand and cope with the symptoms that can help if you have any relatives who have it.
Treatment
Treatment of schizophrenia consist of three types:
1. Antipsychotic drugs: antipsychotic drugs over the years has become the most important part of the treatment of schizophrenia. This drug inhibits the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain. Schizophrenia is considered as the result of an overactive dopamine production in the brain. Increased dopamine activity this happens periodically and only in some areas of the brain. In other areas of the brain dopamine activity may actually be too low. All antipsychotic drugs have significant side effects and should be given extra care.
2. Guidance Therapy: This form of treatment is aimed at increasing self-esteem, self-understanding, control of symptoms, improvement initiatives and the reduction of loneliness. Therapy can also be very important guidance to motivate patients to continue treatment. Family involvement, especially at the beginning of the disease is crucial to the success of this therapy.
3. Actions of social psychiatry: Training skills in social activities, real work, cognitive skills and education about mental illness and its symptoms. This therapy is essential to build and train social skills and understanding of the disease. This can be done in a shelter that provides suitable facilities and accommodation.
Schizophrenia is usually a long-term illness or a lifetime, but relapse may only occasionally. Some patients develop severe conditions and can not be cured. Some other cured. Drugs do not make patients become healthier, but shorten and reduce the severity of relapse. Early efforts to reduce the disease process is helpful to avoid some of the social consequences.
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