Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is the most common of the major mental disorder.



The term Schizophrenia (splitting of the personality) is a group of psychotic reactions in which there are disturbances in reality relationships and in emotional and intellectual processes. It is characterized by withdrawal from a world with delusions and hallucinations. The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders defines Schizophrenia as a severe emotional disorder marked by a retreat from reality,delusion,hallucination, emotional disharmony and regressive behavior. Behavior patterns of schizophrenia are divided into number of sub-types like simple , Catatonic, Hebephrenic,Paranoid,childhood,undifferentiated (acute and chronic),Schizoaffective.



The following types are shortly described:

1. Simple type – In this type there is a gradual narrowing of interest and social withdrawal. Conversation becomes scant and little or no interest seen in any relationship.
2. Catatonic type – In this type the patient typically falls in two episodes : stupor and excitement. In stupor the patient remains motionless for hours or even days. In excitement ,he shows great physical activity.
   
   
   
   Both the episodes go hand in hand.
3. Hebephrenic type – This type occurs at an early age. In this the patient shows infantile reactions.
4. Paranoid type – This type is the most common in all schizophrenics. Suspiciousness and difficulty in interpersonal relations is the core symptom .
5. Childhood type – Symptoms include distortion an disorganization of thought process, low frustration tolerance and disturbance in language functions.
6. Undifferentiated type – In acute type symptoms occur suddenly but may recur to one of the reaction type.
7. Schizoaffective – In this category affective shades predominate such as elation or depression.

The causes of Schizophrenia are generally unknown. Often the disorder appears slowly and the symptoms are not at all obvious.
 It is generally observed that the disorder may be caused due to regression of sexual drive and disorganization of sex glands.



The disorder is also associated with the brain and the chemical changes that are marked by delusions and hallucinations.

The early signs of Schizophrenia are very confusing. The core symptoms include auditory hallucination, flatness of affect, delusions of control, thought alienation, difficulty in concentration and attention, emotional disturbances, disintegration of the personality and jumbled speech. Schizophrenic patients become uncommunicative, sluggish, untidy and dull. Most of the general symptoms are suspiciousness,irritability,jealousy,unsocial,introverted and depressed behavior.

Schizophrenia is an incurable disease and so the treatment procedure varies from the degree of intensity and the period of the disease.



Generally all Schizophrenic patients need hospitalization and rehabilitation. As the patients are away from reality and are integrated with delusions and hallucinations, they are treated with drugs that help them to control their thoughts and keep them in balance. Medication is the core treatment in Schizophrenic patients. Modern drugs such as tranquilizers and energizers are of great benefit in the treatment of schizophrenia.



Without medication ,other therapies are of no use. With medication, patients are generally kept in rehab centers, where they are taught to socialize with people. Small tasks are allotted which help them to control physical movements and chanalize the thought process. They are also taught self-help skills and social skills to make them independent.

In rehab centers, not only the patients are treated but family too plays an important role. Counseling sessions are provided to the family members. Guidance is given as to how to deal with the patient when the attack arises.