Schizophrenia is a serious and chronic medical disorder that disrupts the system of message transmission in the brain. The person with schizophrenia loses the ability to act properly and think clearly; it "loses contact with reality" and it does not refer to the multiple personality disorder.
The causes of schizophrenia remain unknown. Several hypotheses have been proposed; most likely is that schizophrenia results from genetic factors that trigger complex changes in the chemistry and structure of the brain. Research has shown that people with schizophrenia have a change in brain function and anatomy. However, it has not yet been established with certainty whether schizophrenia is a single entity or if it groups together several syndromes with different causes.
Schizophrenia can develop gradually or suddenly. However, in most people, mild symptoms are followed by more severe symptoms. The severity of the symptoms of schizophrenia can vary greatly. These symptoms come and go or may be persistent. For those who start with mild symptoms, the first signs are: withdrawal (away from friends and social activities), poor academic performance, neglect of personal appearance, and change in perception. The signs of schizophrenia are often misunderstood and sometimes they arouse fear in others. Although this disease never goes away, it can often be controlled through proper medical care and family support.
Positive symptoms are symptoms associated with excess or distortion of normal functions (delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking and behavior). Negative symptoms correspond to a decrease or loss of normal functions. This may include lack of eye contact, lack of emotional response, decreased speech use, reduced pleasure, decreased motivation, and decreased interest in social activities and activities. interpersonal relationships. Emotional symptoms such as depression or inappropriate behavior can also occur in schizophrenia.
Because schizophrenia can manifest itself in a variety of symptoms, the disorder is categorized according to the symptoms that predominate in a given person.
Paranoid schizophrenia is mainly associated with hallucinations and delusions.
Disorganized schizophrenia is primarily associated with an inability to think clearly, incoherent speech, and unusual behavior.
Catatonic schizophrenia, which is extremely rare, is characterized by decreased, excessive or unusual mobility.
Undifferentiated schizophrenia is a mixture of symptoms from various types of schizophrenia.
Recurrent schizophrenia occurs once the symptoms have stopped, while the person may experience a slight decrease or loss of normal function for long periods of time.
During the acute phase of the illness, the symptoms of psychosis worsen and prevent the person from functioning normally. Stabilization refers to the period during which symptoms are treated and controlled with medication. The patient may be free of obvious psychotic symptoms during the stabilization period, but may still have difficulty coping with everyday situations.
Ten percent of people with schizophrenia commit suicide. Those most at risk of suicide are those with paranoid schizophrenia (associated with hallucinations and delusions), especially if they functioned well before developing the disease.
