schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a name for a group of illnesses which effect a person's ability to process information.
These illnesses effect 1% of the Australian population, (approximately 180,000 Australians) and it can develop into one of the most severe of the mental illnesses.
The first signs of the illness usually occurs in adolescence or early adulthood.
SYMPTOMS
» What Happens to a Person Experiencing Schizophrenia?
There are a number of different symptoms that are experienced by people with schizophrenia when they are unwell.
These symptoms are usually episodic, meaning a person with schizophrenia may not be unwell all of the time.
A person with schizophrenia may experience any of the following symptoms.
It is rare that they will experience all of these symptoms.
Some people are more severely affected than others.
Delusions
These are fixed, false beliefs or ideas, which are not shared by people of a similar social or ethnic group.
Hallucinations
False perceptions, any of the five senses (smell, sight, hearing touch or taste) may be affected.
For example, a person may hear voices that no-one else can hear or may see things that no-one else can see.
Thought Disorder
A person's thoughts may be jumbled, stuck or have no logical connections.
To the patient, it may feel as if thoughts are being removed or inserted into his/her mind.
It may even seem as if the radio and TV are sending secret messages just to them.
Loss of Motivation
A person may possess a severe lack of initiative and motivation.
Altered Emotions
A person with schizophrenia may have difficulty expressing emotions or express emotions that seem inappropriate for the situation.
For example they may giggle whilst watching a sad movie or show no emotion at all.
Social Withdrawal
A person may avoid crowds and being with people, and hence retreat into their own world.
Lack of insight
A person with schizophrenia may not realise that they are unwell and need treatment.
To them, these perceptions are true and real.
CAUSES
» What Causes Schizophrenia?
The cause is unknown.
However there are several factors which may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
These include genetic inheritance, chemical imbalance in the brain, stress, drug usage and hormonal imbalance.
TREATMENT
What Treatment is Available?
Treatment is likely to be a combination of professional counselling, community support, medication and rehabilitation.
Professional counselling
Individual, family and group counselling can help people to learn more about the illness, rebuild degenerated relationships, increase confidence, and to solve problems being encountered.
Family and community support
Some people may require assistance with accommodation, money management, recreation, home tasks or their physical health.
Medication
Anti-psychotic or major tranquillisers are used to control some of the symptoms and prevent relapse.
Rehabilitation
This aims to enable people with schizophrenia to rebuild the skills of community living through strengthening existing abilities, learning and relearning skills and building confidence.
If you would like to talk to someone some more about this, go and see your GP.
They are there to help and explain things to you.
|
