Schizophrenia By Azlynn Williams Block 4 3/3

What is this disease??? When you think of crazy, you think of Schizophrenia.

Where does it come from? Scientists still aren't totally sure where it comes from, though they think genes have something to do with it. They think that the genes may be activated by certain events or it may just develop as a person gets older.

Target Population Targets men and women equally Usually develops in teens or young adulthood but may develop later in life Childhood Schizophrenia is rare and develops after the age of five. It is sometimes confused with other developmental disorders

Causes It is hypothesized that Schizophrenia, which affects the brain, alters the brain chemistry more specifically the I-function or sense of self. It is believed that it may happen as a fetus, where the neurotransmitters' pathways and deviations are altered. The neurotransmitters "misfire" altering the normal arrangement. Gray matter controls the somas and dendrites of neurons and in Schizophrenia there is less gray matter in the frontal and temporal lobes. Schizophrenics also are not always aware that they are afflicted by the disease because the I-function determines a persons' emotions and responses to certain things in some extent and Schizophrenia damages that.

Symptom s Onset of Disease Irritibility and tense feeling trouble concentrating trouble sleeping As Illness Continues bizarre behavior hallucinations Isolotion emotionless trouble paying attention delusions "loose association"- thoughts that jump between different topics Disorganized Schizophrenia Catatonic Schizophrenia Symptoms based on Type of Schizophrenia Paranoid Schizophrenia anxiety anger or arguing paranoia childlike behavior problems with expressing ideas clearly and thinking showing little emotion Grimacing and other odd expressions lack of activity rigid muscles and posture not responding much to other people

Prognosis The prognosis for schizophrenia is hard to predict. People with this mental illness may have trouble functioning in day to day activities and may have risks for repeating episodes. Community support programs may be helpful such as house and job training. With severe forms of schizophrenia the person may not be able to live on their own and may have to live with a family member or in a group home. Schizophrenia cannot be cured, and without medication symptoms will return.

Treatments MEDICATIONS!!! Typical -introduced in the 1950's Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) Haloperidol (Haldol) Perphenazine (Etrafon, Trilafon) Fluphenazine (Prolixin) Atypical -second generation meds Risperidone (Risperdal) Olanzapine (Zyprexa) Quetiapine (Seroquel) Ziprasidone (Geodon) Aripiprazole (Abilify) Paliperidone (Invega) Clozapine (Clozaril) Other Treatments... Psychosocial Treatments Rehabilitation ~Clozapine is a very effective drug that tends to work where others have failed, however, like other psychotic medications for Schizophrenia the drug has bad side effects~

Notable Cases John Nash: (b. June 13, 1928) John Nash is a famous American mathematician who was awarded the John von Neumann Theory Prize for his invention of non-cooperative equilibria. The movie "A Beautiful Mind" was made about him and it was nominated for 8 Oscars.

Organizations and Medical Facilities Stanley Medical Research Institute (SMRI) A nonprofit organization that researches the causes and searches for treatments on Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder. 75% of the organizations energy goes into developing new treatments and the rest goes into research. SMRI has a Reproposed Drugs Database as well. Massachusetts General Hospital A program that uses its world class caregivers who try to understand Schizophrenia and other mental disabilities as well as use "cutting edge treatments" on ill patients. National Institute of Mental Health "...seeks to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on the mind, brain, and behavior. NIMH provides a wide range of information based on that research." National Alliance on mental Health "...nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness." The organization also offers support, education, and advocacy.

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