Psychotic disorders are characterised by a change in emotions or brain chemistry to the extent that the person’s reality is highly impaired. The most commonly known psychotic disorder is schizophrenia.

What is it?

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder, where essentially the sufferer experiences a distorted reality. Social, cognitive and vocational functioning are all reduced. Without treatment this makes daily living very difficult. Schizophrenia lasts at least 6 months. It is possible to have one attack, than recover completely. For others it is an ongoing lifelong battle and as such suicide is a big risk for this group of people. It is probably the most stigmatised mental health disorder. There are different types of schizophrenia, each with its own set of symptoms.

Symptoms

Given the variation in the type of schizophrenia experienced, symptoms will vary. It is however possible to identify some commonalities. Symptoms include: thought disturbances, delusions, hallucinations, grandiose beliefs and paranoid symptoms. The person has a distorted sense of self and reality, where they perceive the world and themselves differently to what it is in reality. Sufferers may not even recognise their mirror image. Speech often moves from one subject to another, with no obvious association. The sufferer also lacks motivation and responsiveness and is withdrawn socially, preferring to be alone. They may also have memory problems.

What causes it?

It is very difficult to determine the causes of schizophrenia and it is likely to be a mix of biological and environmental factors:

• Genetics may play a part as schizophrenia often runs in families, although it should be remembered that families share the same environment.
• Brain damage may occur even before the child is born.
• Neurochemicals may be at work: it is suggested that schizophrenics have an excess of dopamine receptors.
• Schizophrenia may be brought about through highly disruptive life events, especially during childhood (for example, the death of a parent), making the onset of schizophrenia very sudden.
• Drugs abuse.
• Social factors: schizophrenia affects lower income people more. This may be due to the stress and difficulties of living in poor conditions, or perhaps having schizophrenia means reduced employment prospects so people end up earning a lower income.

Who does it affect?

Schizophrenia will appear before the age of 45 and usually emerges during adolescence. It appears to run in families and you are at greater risk of developing the disorder if your parent has had it. It is estimated that 1.5% of the population will experience schizophrenia some time in their life.

How is it treated?

• Medication can be used to reduce dopamine levels. However this does not improve symptoms for all sufferers.
• Cognitive behaviour therapy is sometimes used and may be quite effective. It helps people reevaluate their delusional beliefs.
• Family intervention may be provided.
• Some are treated in hospital, although people are kept in the community where possible.
• Self-help groups are also available.
• The treatment outcome is unpredictable.

Myth

Schizophrenia is not a split personality. That is multiple personality disorder and is quite distinct from schizophrenia. Schizophrenia means split mind. Also, it is often assumed that a schizophrenic is 'mad' and nothing more and as such will never achieve anything in their life. This is simply not true.

Link

http://www.schizophrenia.com