Schizophrenia Psychosis - a split from reality, whereby hallucinations and delusions are experienced - Schizophrenia and Bi-polar Disorder are types of psychosis

Schizophrenia Definition A disturbance involving delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and/or disorganized or catatonic behaviour. A deterioration of a person’s ability to function at work, school and/or socially also occurs.

Prevalence 1 in 100 people (twice as common as Alzheimer’s)

Early Warning Signs withdrawl from activities and social contacts sleep disturbances irrational, angry or fearful responses to friends and family hearing voices or seeing people that others don’t see deterioration of personal hygiene sudden excesses (such as extreme religiosity or extreme activity) paranoia and mood swings inappropriate use of language (words don’t make sense) withdrawl from activities and social contacts sleep disturbances irrational, angry or fearful responses to friends and family hearing voices or seeing people that others don’t see deterioration of personal hygiene sudden excesses (such as extreme religiosity or extreme activity) paranoia and mood swings inappropriate use of language (words don’t make sense)

Diagnosis long and difficult process - a series of tests is done to rule out other causes of the symptoms (ie. drug use or a brain tumour) symptoms must be continuous for at least 6 months long and difficult process - a series of tests is done to rule out other causes of the symptoms (ie. drug use or a brain tumour) symptoms must be continuous for at least 6 months

Causes we don’t know the cause genetics, structural brain abnormalities, an abundance of dopamine, prenatal factors, and factors during pregnancy all may play a part we don’t know the cause genetics, structural brain abnormalities, an abundance of dopamine, prenatal factors, and factors during pregnancy all may play a part

Treatment mainly treated with medication and counselling drugs are successful in 80-90% of patients if they keep taking them ECT is used in only the most severe cases mainly treated with medication and counselling drugs are successful in 80-90% of patients if they keep taking them ECT is used in only the most severe cases

Effects on Individuals, Families and Society can be very difficult to live with families can feel guilt or burdened it is estimated that $4 billion is spent in Canada annually on treating schizophrenia and its effects but with proper medication and support quality of life can be good! can be very difficult to live with families can feel guilt or burdened it is estimated that $4 billion is spent in Canada annually on treating schizophrenia and its effects but with proper medication and support quality of life can be good!

Schizophrenia Summary it’s a brain disease the age of onset is usually between 15 and 25 years the cause is not fully understood like most mental illness, it is treatable with medication (but not “curable”) it is relatively common (1 in 100) early intervention is key to reducing symptoms and improving quality of life it’s a brain disease the age of onset is usually between 15 and 25 years the cause is not fully understood like most mental illness, it is treatable with medication (but not “curable”) it is relatively common (1 in 100) early intervention is key to reducing symptoms and improving quality of life

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