Generally schizophrenia consider the most complicated and misconceived mental illnesses. It influences the way of thinking, feeling and behaving of individual and it usually causes the distortion of the reality. Schizophrenic individuals may appear to be cut of reality of the surrounding. They face trouble with experiences that others fail to comprehend. Although it is a chronic disorder, psychiatry, neuroscience, and psychology have advanced to be in a position to ensure that many people can cope with its symptoms and live a beautiful life.
What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a severe mental disease, which distorts the perception of reality of a person. This interferes with thoughts, feelings and action in most cases results in the confusion of what is real and what is imagined. The term coined by Swiss psychiatrist Eugen Bleuler in 1911 means “split mind”. But depicts fragmentation of thoughts, as well as feelings, instead of a plural personality. Schizophrenia typically manifests itself during late adolescence or early adulthood, with men slightly developing the disease before women and approximately one percent of the population is affected.
Causes and Risk Factors
Schizophrenia is not very clear about its exact cause of this disorder. But researchers have come to the agreement that it depends on a combination of genetic, biological and environmental causes.
Genetic factors
Genetic factors have important role in individuals who have the history of schizophrenia in their family thus at a very high risk of developing the disease.
environmental influence
Schizophrenia is largely brought about by environmental influence. It can be exacerbated in cases when the viral infection or malnutrition affects the expectant mother, complications of childbirth occur, and childhood trauma may affect the risk of acquiring schizophrenia in the future. The use of substances especially use of cannabis in their teenage years has also been reported to cause psychotic symptoms.
biological level
At the biological level, scientists have discovered that there is an imbalance in the level of some chemicals in the brain, particularly the dopamine or glutamate, which have influence in the way the brain interprets information. according to research the brain imaging indicates that there are small structural variations among individuals with schizophrenia which indicates that it relates to alterations in brain development and functioning.
Symptoms of schizophrenia
The schizophrenia symptoms are divided into three major themes:
Positive symptoms:
This disease has positive symptoms that are hallucinations, delusions and disorganized thinking. Hallucinations most commonly audio- cause the person to hear voices that other people do not. Such voices can make comments about their actions, make orders or have conversations. Delusions are false beliefs which one has and is strongly convinced of about something that has been proven otherwise. The common delusions are persecution, grandiose, suspiciousness, erotomanic, or that their thoughts are under the influence of some external powers.
Negative symptoms
There are some negative symptoms that are the lack of normal functioning emotional and behavioral functioning. Individuals with schizophrenia could be said to be either emotionally flat, withdrawn or unconcerned with social life. They may become demotivated, struggle to enjoy, disregard cleanliness, and responsibilities.
Cognitive symptoms
In this disorder individual suffer from cognitive challenges also including memory, attention and decision-making problems. There are a lot of people who find it hard to focus, project, get to know social signals, and this makes work and relations challenging. Cognitive deficiencies are not always visible like the hallucinations or delusions but they are equally incapacitating.
Treatment and Management
In spite of the fact that schizophrenia is a lifelong illness, it can be treated through the combination of medicine, therapy and social support.
Medication
Medication becomes the foundation of therapy. Anti-psychotics are used to regulate the symptoms by balancing brain neurotransmitters like dopamine. Initial anti-psychotics was successful but had serious effects such as tightness and tremor of the muscles and mainly serious side effects. The second generation, risperidone, olanzapine, and clozapine, has better symptom control and fewer movements associated side effects.
Psycho–social therapies
Psychotherapy also play a vital role in the recovery. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) refers to a method that assists patients to disarm distorted thoughts and cope with symptoms. Family therapy offers emotional support and education to family members, minimizing stress. Individuals can resume to the society and develop independent lives with the help of social skills training, supported employment programs, and rehabilitation programs.
Living with Schizophrenia and Overcoming Stigma
Schizophrenia is a disorder that can be so difficult to live with, Not due to the symptoms but just cause of stigma. Misconceptions with schizophrenia like the notion that schizophrenic crazy individuals are violent and dangerous bring about fear and social exclusion. The truth is that, a majority of schizophrenic victims are not violent and rather they are likely victims of abuse than aggressively victims. Social support is very crucial in recovery. Caregivers, family members and friends could do a job in providing empathy and patience. Mental health should be discussed openly to stigmatize and decrease the incidence of mental health isolation. This will enable victims to get assistance without the fear of any stigmatization.
Conclusion
Schizophrenia is still the most complex mental disorders that combines a biological predisposition and environmental pressure. This condition can be controlled through early intervention and proper treatment. The feeling that schizophrenia is more than a mental illness, but a complex human experience can be used to break barriers and develop compassion. More studies, experiences and passion will play a vital role to guarantee that the individuals with suffering from schizophrenia deserve better treatment with dignity and care.