By David Gallegos Period 7

 What are the Causes and Symptoms of Schizophrenia ?  How do people who have Schizophrenia live with it and how is it treated?

 Is a long-term mental disorder that effects thought, emotion, and behavior, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy and delusion

 Social withdrawal  Hostility or suspiciousness  Deterioration of personal hygiene  Inappropriate laughter or crying  Extreme reaction to criticism  Odd or irrational statements

 Schizophrenia runs in peoples genes those who have a first relative with the disease have a 10 percent chance of developing it  High levels of stress are believed to trigger schizophrenia so environment does play a factor More causes include:  Early parental loss or separation  Prolonged labor or premature birth

 Relationship problems: schizophrenics isolate themselves and may become paranoid of family and loved ones  Disruption to normal daily activities: with their disorganized thoughts and hearing voices everyday tasks become difficult  Increased suicide risk: a schizophrenic will be likely to commit suicide during depression, psychotic period, or during their first 6 months of treatment.

 Psychiatric evaluation – The psychiatrist will ask a series of questions about you or your loved one's symptoms, psychiatric history, and family history of mental health problems.  Medical history and exam – Your doctor will ask about your personal and family health history.  The presence of two or more of the following symptoms for at least 30 days:  Hallucinations  Delusions  Disorganized speech  Disorganized or catatonic behavior  Negative symptoms

 Delusions  Hallucinations  Disorganized behavior  Negative symptoms  Disorganized speech

 A delusion is a firmly-held idea that a person has despite clear and obvious evidence that it isn’t true.  Delusions of persecution- the belief that others are out to get him or her  Delusions of reference - A neutral event is believed to have a special personal meaning  Delusions of grandeur - Belief that one is a famous or important figure  Delusions of control - Belief that one’s thoughts or actions are being controlled by outside

 Schizophrenia disrupts goal-directed activity, causing impairments in a person’s ability to take care of him or herself, work, and interact with others.  A decline in overall daily functioning  Unpredictable or inappropriate emotional responses  Behaviors that appear bizarre and have no purpose  Lack of inhibition and impulse control

 Hallucinations are sounds or other sensations experienced as real when they exist only in the person's mind.  Hallucinations of any of the five senses can occur however auditory hallucinations like hearing voices are most common in schizophrenics  Schizophrenics misinterpret their self talk as an outside source and their hallucinations are usually from a meaningful experience

 Lack of emotional expression – Inexpressive face, including a flat voice, lack of eye contact, and blank or restricted facial expressions.  Lack of interest or enthusiasm – Problems with motivation; lack of self-care.  Seeming lack of interest in the world – Apparent unawareness of the environment; social withdrawal.  Speech difficulties and abnormalities – Inability to carry a conversation; short and sometimes disconnected replies to questions; speaking in monotone.

 Fragmented thinking is characteristic of schizophrenia, it can be observed in the way a person speaks. People with schizophrenia tend to have trouble concentrating and maintaining a train of thought.  Types of disorganized speech:  Loose associations  Neologisms  Perseveration  Clang

 The main focus of treatment for schizophrenia is to stop the symptoms  Schizophrenics are treated with Antipsychotic medications  Other treatments include:  Rehabilitation  Cognitive behavioral therapy  Integrated treatment for co-occurring substance abuse

 Schizophrenia can’t really be prevented because it’s in people’s genes however there are way to reduce the chances of developing the disease for example:  Don't use drugs  Avoid abusive or traumatic situations  Be social  Learning how manage stress

 Schizophrenia effects around 2.4 million people in the U.S  The disease effects men and women about equally but men usually develop the disease late teens early twenties while women develop it late twenties early thirties

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