A disruption of basic psychological processes, a distorted perception of reality, altered or blunted emotions, and disturbances in thought, motivation, and behavior.

 Symptoms dominated by absurd, illogical and changeable delusions, frequently accompanied by vivid hallucinations.  There is less disorganization of behavior and less extreme withdrawal from social interactions.

 Characterized by alternating periods of extreme withdrawal and extreme excitement  Withdrawal state: there is a sudden loss of all animation and a tendency to remain motionless  Excitement state: the person may talk or shout incoherently and engage in uninhibited, impulsive, and frenzied behavior.

 Usually occurs at an earlier age  Represents a more severe disintegration of the personality  Emotional distortion manifested in inappropriate laughter and silliness, peculiar mannerisms, and bizarre, often obscene behavior.

 Rapidly changing mixture of all or most of the primary indicators of schizophrenia  Perplexity, confusion, emotional turmoil, delusions, excitement, dreamlike autism, depression, and fear  Most often seen on patients breaking down and developing schizophrenia

 Individuals have substantially recovered from at least one schizophrenic episode, but still have lingering symptoms

 People with immediate relatives who have Schizophrenia have a higher risk of developing it.  Merely1% of the earths population has Schizophrenia, but if you have a first-degree relative with the disorder, such as a parent, brother, or sister, your chances of developing the disorder increase to at least 10%  Scientists believe that there are many genes which are associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia, but there is not one gene that causes the disease by itself.

Environmental factors generally refers to anything other than genes. This can include factors such as the environment of the child in the mothers womb, such as nutritional, hormonal and chemical environment. up to the social dynamics and stress a person experiences, to street drug use, education, virus exposure, and many other factors. An example of some of the environmental factors linked specifically to schizophrenia would be:  Prenatal exposure to a viral infection  Low oxygen levels during birth (from prolonged labor or premature birth)  Exposure to a virus during infancy  Early parental loss or separation  Physical or sexual abuse in childhood  Abnormally high levels of stress

It is believed that an imbalance in the complex chemical reactions of the brain involving dopamine and glutamate, and possibly other chemicals, plays a role in schizophrenia. On the left is a picture of a normal male (top) and female brain (bottom) On the right is a picture of a male brain with schizophrenia (top) and a female brain with schizophrenia (bottom)

 -The outcome for children with schizophrenia varies greatly and some individuals function well with medication.  -Earlier onset is often associated with a poorer outcome when it interferes with attending school and completing an education. However, because children typically live at home with the combined social environments of family and school, symptoms are often recognized early.  -This fact is significant because recent studies have suggested that earlier treatment may reduce the decline in functioning and long-term impairments commonly associated with schizophrenia. Therefore, accurate and early intervention and diagnosis are critical

 An additional difficulty in making a diagnosis in children and adolescents relates to the fact that hallucinations are surprisingly common and, in fact, are most often seen in children and adolescents with diagnoses other than schizophrenia. In a large study at the National Institutes of Health, In many children with other conditions, the nature of the hallucinations is different. While hallucinations in people with schizophrenia are often pervasive when not well treated, many children with other conditions such as mood disorders and dissociative disorders report auditory hallucinations when they are under stress. These hallucinations tend to be brief and very intermittent (lasting for only a few minutes). Also, children are very susceptible to leading questions and therefore should be asked about symptoms in a neutral fashion (i.e., not "Do you hear voices?"). Additionally some of the worlds greatest thinkers were considered to have schizophrenia including, Decart, Davinci, Picasso and Thomas Edison. And of coarse Nostrodamus.

Warning Signs of Mental Illness -Marked personality change -Inability to cope with problems and daily activities -Strange ideas or delusions -Irrational fears -Prolonged feelings of sadness -Marked changes in eating or sleeping patterns -Thinking or talking about suicide -Extreme highs and lows

Anti-Psychotic Medications and Psychosocial Therapy

 Anti-psychotic medications have been available since the 1950’s  The most commonly used medications are  Clozapine, Risperidone, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Ziprasidone

 Drowsiness and dizziness  Blurred vision and rapid heart beat  Skin rashes and sensitivity to the sun  Muscle spasms and rigidness  Tremors and restlessness MAIN CAUSE OF RELAPSE IS PATIENTS DISCONTINUING MEDICATION

 Used in conjunction with anti-psychotic medications  Patients who use psychosocial therapy are less likely to relapse  Patients are taught how to cope and live daily with symptoms

 Illness Management skills  Rehabilitation  Family Education  Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  Self-Help Groups

 Schizophrenia is treatable  1 in 5 will get better with in their first episode of schizophrenia  3 in 5 will get better, but still have some symptoms  Only 1 in 5 will get worse Statistics from Melinda A. Smith M.A. and Jeanne Segal PhD helpguide.org (March,2011)

Truth:  Although the delusional thoughts and hallucinations of schizophrenia sometimes lead to violent behavior. Unless patients forget to take their medications, are using drugs excessively or have a history of violence, there is no difference between the “normal” population and the population of people with schizophrenia. This portrayal has mainly been spread through the media and if anything, people suffering from this disease are the opposite. They tend to be passive, anxious and fearful of others/the environment.

Truth:  Schizophrenia is not rare; the lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia is widely accepted to be around 1 in 100.

Truth: Split personality is actually an illness called ‘dissociative disorder,’ and it occurs when there are two or more personalities within one person. People with schizophrenia only have one personality. People with schizophrenia do not have split personalities. Rather, they are “split off” from reality. Schizophrenia is derived from the Greek word "split mind," referring solely to the split in reality that is commonly experienced by people with schizophrenia.

Truth:  Being diagnosed with schizophrenia does not mean that one will necessarily have a lifelong illness. Some people are able to improve and recover over time. The truth is, schizophrenia can be successfully managed. The first step is identifying the signs and symptoms. The second step is seeking help without delay. The third is sticking with treatment. With the right treatment and support from family, friends, and health professionals, a person with schizophrenia can lead a happy, fulfilling life and even improve and recover over time.