The Sunday News
Introduction
SCHIZOPHRENIA is a challenging disorder that makes it difficult to distinguish between what is real and unreal, think clearly, manage emotions, relate to others, and function normally.
But does that mean there is no hope? Schizophrenia can be successfully managed. The first step is to identify the signs and symptoms. The second step is to seek help without delay. With the right treatment and support, a person with schizophrenia can lead a happy, fulfilling life. In this article I will elaborate more on these steps.
What is it?
Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the way a person behaves, thinks, and sees the world. People with schizophrenia often have an altered perception of reality. They may see or hear things that don’t exist, speak in strange or confusing ways, believe that others are trying to harm them, or feel like they’re being constantly watched.
This can make it difficult to negotiate the activities of daily life, and people with schizophrenia may withdraw from the outside world or act out in confusion and fear.
Although schizophrenia is a chronic disorder, there is help available. With support, medication, and therapy, many people with schizophrenia are able to function independently and live fulfilling lives.
Here are some early warning signs to take note of: Social withdrawal, hostility or suspiciousness, deterioration of personal hygiene, flat, expressionless gaze, inability to cry or express joy, inappropriate laughter or crying, depression, oversleeping or insomnia, odd or irrational statements, forgetful; unable to concentrate, extreme reaction to criticism.
Take note of these signs and symptoms.
There are five types of symptoms characteristic of schizophrenia: delusions, hallucinations, disorganised speech, disorganised behaviour, and the so-called “negative” symptoms. However, the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia vary dramatically from person to person, both in pattern and severity. Not every person with schizophrenia will have all symptoms, and the symptoms of schizophrenia may also change over time.
1 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 percent of those who have the disorder. Often, these delusions involve illogical or bizarre ideas or fantasies.
2 Hallucinations — these are sounds or other sensations experienced as real when they exist only in the person’s mind. While hallucinations can involve any of the five senses, auditory hallucinations (eg hearing voices or some other sound) are most common in schizophrenia. Visual hallucinations are also relatively common. Research suggests that auditory hallucinations occur when people misinterpret their own inner self-talk as coming from an outside source.
3 Disorganised Speech — Fragmented thinking is characteristic of schizophrenia. Externally, it can be observed in the way a person speaks. People with schizophrenia tend to have trouble concentrating and maintaining a train of thought. They may respond to queries with an unrelated answer, start sentences with one topic and end somewhere completely different, speak incoherently, or say illogical things.
4 Schizophrenia disrupts goal-directed activity, causing impairments in a person’s ability to take care of him or herself, work, and interact with others.
Disorganised behaviour appears as:
A decline in overall daily functioning
Unpredictable or inappropriate emotional responses
Behaviours that appear bizarre and have no purpose
Lack of inhibition and impulse control
Effects on a person’s day to day life
When the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia are ignored or improperly treated, the effects can be devastating, both to the individual with the disorder and those around him or her.
Some of the possible effects of schizophrenia are:
Relationship problems. Relationships suffer because people with schizophrenia often withdraw and isolate themselves. Paranoia can also cause a person with schizophrenia to be suspicious of friends and family.
Disruption to normal daily activities. Schizophrenia causes significant disruptions to daily functioning, both because of social difficulties and because everyday tasks become hard, if not impossible to do. A schizophrenic person’s delusions, hallucinations, and disorganised thoughts typically prevent him or her from doing normal things like bathing, eating, or running errands.
Alcohol and drug abuse. People with schizophrenia frequently develop problems with alcohol and drugs, which are often used in an attempt to self-medicate, or relieve symptoms. In addition, they may also be heavy smokers, a complicating situation as cigarette smoke can interfere with the effectiveness of medications prescribed for the disorder.
Increased suicide risk. People with schizophrenia have a high risk of attempting suicide. Any suicidal talk, threats, or gestures should be taken very seriously. People with schizophrenia are especially likely to commit suicide during psychotic episodes, during periods of depression, and in the first six months after they’ve started treatment.
How the Diagnosis is made:
The presence of two or more of the following symptoms for at least 30 days:
1 Hallucinations
2 Delusions
3 Disorganised speech
4 Disorganised or catatonic behaviour
5 Negative symptoms (emotional flatness, apathy, lack of speech)
Significant problems functioning at work or school, relating to other people, and taking care of oneself.
Continuous signs of schizophrenia for at least six months, with active symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, etc) for at least one month.
No other mental health disorder, medical issue, or substance abuse problem is causing the symptoms.
If you would like to know more please email me at [email protected], visit my blog www.healthpromotionbyleeanne.wordpress.com or read articles posted by the World Health Organisation.
‘‘Take care of your busy body, you owe that to your family.’’
Lee-Anne Hall
BSc Physiotherapy
