SCHIZOPHRENIA Literally means “Split or Broken Mind” The split is from Reality It is a severe form of psychopathology in which the person seems to disintegrate from reality The person’s develops a distorted view of the world around them.

Schizophrenia This is the disorder people most commonly associate with behavior disorders People usually have this disorder in mind when they think in the terms of – “madness’ – “psychotic” – “insanity”

Possible Causes of Schizophrenia – Nature Dopamine –Interference with Receptors can reduce symptoms –Stimulation of production can cause symptoms Deficiencies in the neurotransmitter glutamate can lead to symptoms – Nurture Closer the relationship with some one who has schizophrenia the more likely the chances of developing schizophrenia One study found that a healthy family environment can reduce the risk of schizophrenia in adopted children of parents who had schizophrenia (1987)

Causes of Schizophrenia Schizophrenia requires biological predisposition plus some unknown environmental agent to “turn on” the disease. – This agent could be Drugs Stress Remember it is usually an interaction of biological, cognitive & environmental elements that would cause schizophrenia to develop in a person.

Victims of Schizophrenia The mind can be be “twisted” in terrible ways The world may become – Bleak – Devoid of meaning Or the world could become – Filled with sensations that it overwhelms the brain – Confusing to the person as multiple layers of reality become stacked on top of each other Leads to hallucinations or delusions

Statistics of Schizophrenia In a lifetime 1 out of every 100 Americans will be afflicted with some form of schizophrenia (over 2 million) Usually appears in men before they are 25 In women between 25 and 45

Caring for Schizophrenia For years schizophrenia was the primary diagnosis for patients admitted to mental care facilities – 40% of all casess – Schizophrenic patients occupy almost half of the population in mental care facilities Require prolong & recurrent care 1/3 of all schizophrenic patients will never fully recover (no matter how good the care & treatment)

Schizophrenia Sufferers will often have Emotions become blunted Bizarre thoughts Strange language or communication patterns known as ‘Word Salad” Memory becomes fragmented Schizophrenia breaks the unity of the mind – Leads to mental “detours”

Disorganized Schizophrenia Represents everyone’s image of mental illness Disorganized Speech – (Word Salad) Disorganized Behavior Talks to imaginary people

Paranoid Schizophrenia Hallucinations – False sensory experiences Hearing voices Seeing things that are not there Delusions – Extreme disorders of thinking – Persistent false beliefs – Usually delusions are of Persecution – Some one is out to get them Grandiosity – Highly exaggerated self importance Thoughts are illogical and not organized

Catatonic Schizophrenia Involves a spectrum of motor dysfunctions Appears in two forms mostly – Most commonly are those who seem to be in a “Stupor” and will remain motionless for hours or in some cases days. Appear to be statues Mute / Will not talk Resistance to be moved – The second form is called Catatonic Excitement Excessive Motor Activity Hyperactivity Easily agitated

Undifferentiated Schizophrenia This serves as a catchall category for schizophrenia when symptoms do not clearly meet the requirements for any other category.

Residual Schizophrenia This is the diagnosis for individuals who have suffered from a schizophrenic episode in the past but currently have no major symptoms Thinking is only mildly disturbed Emotional lives are impoverished This diagnosis could mean that the schizophrenia is in remission or becoming dormant – Remember the doctors who had entered themselves into a care facility – this is what they were diagnosed with when they left

Schizophrenia Today Because of the hodgepodge of symptoms displayed by those with schizophrenia most clinicians simply identify symptoms into positive or negative categories – Positive Active processes –Delusions –Hallucinations – Negative Passive processes & deficiencies –Social withdrawl –No emotional responses