What is Schizophrenia? Where Does it Come From? and How is it Treated?

Schizophrenia; from the Greek; ‘Schizo’ meaning splitting and ‘phrenia’ meaning ‘of the mind,’ is a psychotic illness that affects 1% to 2% of people worldwide. It is a serious neurological disorder that alters a person’s mood’s, behaviors and even their perception of reality. Schizophrenic patients often have trouble holding jobs and maintaining relationships. It impedes their ability to feel normal emotions, behave properly and react to things logically. Schizophrenic sufferers often have trouble taking care of themselves and maintaining healthy hygiene. There are several different types of schizophrenia with varying signs, symptoms and degrees of severity. However, one factor is constant, schizophrenia hinders one’s ability to enjoy life.

The effects of schizophrenia can differ greatly from person to person. Schizophrenic individuals often feel a sense of paranoia; that someone is plotting to cause them harm in one way or another. Sometimes a patient will speak gibberish, and will make no sense when they talk. Other times an individual with schizophrenia will seem perfectly normal. In these individuals, the condition isn’t apparent until they start to discuss what is on their mind and their inner feelings.

Signs and Symptoms

• Social withdrawal
• Constantly and irrationally suspicious
• Inability to feel pleasure
• Depersonalization (intense anxiety that may be accompanied by a feeling of being unreal)
• Loss of appetite
• Loss of hygiene
• Delusions
• Hallucinations (hearing and seeing things that aren’t really there)
• Paranoia
• A false sense of being controlled by outside forces

There are many functional and behavioral changes that take place in a schizophrenia sufferer. These behaviors may present themselves in altering waves; for example the patient might go through a phase of uncontrolled anger and violence, mainly towards their perceived, false threats. Then they might go through a phase where they seem to lack personality and emotion. Their behavioral changes are usually unpredictable. (Schizophrenia, 2011).

Causes

The causes of schizophrenia have not been determined for sure. For the most part, scientists agree that this is not a single disease, but a group of conditions. Hence, there may be multiple causes. Evidence suggests that it can be caused by genetics, early brain damage, and/or prenatal viruses.

Magnetic Resonance Imagery (MRI’s) has shown significant differences in brain structures in schizophrenic patients. The temporal lobes which are responsible for memory, visual and auditory perception and emotional responses (among other things) may be reduced in size in schizophrenic patients. A volume reduction in the Superior Temporal Gyrus (STG), which is responsible for auditory processing, is one of the most consistent findings in schizophrenic patients. There are also notable differences in volume in limbic system structures such as the hippocampus and the amygdala which are responsible for controlling moods and emotions such as anxiety and fear. The prefrontal cortex is also severely affected in schizophrenic patients. This area is responsible for memory; as a result, this abnormality will cause distorted thought processes.

As far as genetics are concerned, scientists have yet to discover a single gene that is responsible for schizophrenia. Still, it is very apparent that genetics play a role in many cases of the condition. This is due to the high rate of family members of a schizophrenic patients developing the disease compared to the general population. (Heredity and Genetics of Schizophrenia, 2004). However, genetics are not solely responsible for schizophrenia, research suggests. The rate of an identical twins with an identical genomes being diagnosed after their twin has been diagnoses is less than one-half. (Heredity and Genetics of Schizophrenia, 2004).

Treatment Options

Treatment of schizophrenia usually involves antipsychotic medication, such as Thorazine or Haldol. These medications help to balance out the chemicals in the brain. These medications are often accompanied by side effects, but they are usually treatable. If a patient is a danger to his/her self or others or lacks the ability to maintain good health and proper hygiene, hospitalization may be required. (Schizophrenia Treatments, 2011).

References:

WebMD.com. (2011). Schizophrenia. Retrieved on November 18, 2011, from: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/schizophrenia/page3_em.htm

Schizophrenia.com. (2004). Heredity and the Genetics of Schizophrenia. Retrieved on November 30, 2011, from: http://www.schizophrenia.com/research/hereditygen.htm.

YahooHealth. (2011). Schizophrenia Treatments. Retrieved on November 30, 2011, from: http://health.yahoo.net/channel/schizophrenia_treatments.