What is Schizophrenia?

Adapted from a pamphlet by Narsed Research, "Understanding Schizophrenia"

Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain. The person sometimes cannot tell the difference between real and not real experiences. The person sometimes cannot think clearly, cannot behave normally and might not have normal emotions in relationships. People with schizophrenia may also have a hard time remembering.

Schizophrenia can be very difficult for the person and his family or her family. People with schizophrenia often have a hard time at school and work.

There is no cure for schizophrenia, but usually treatment can control the symptoms. Treatment can help most people have a full life.

Who can get schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is one of the most common mental illnesses.
Schizophrenia most often begins between the ages of 15 to 25.
Men and women can get the disease.

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Symptoms can vary. Sometimes the symptoms are quick to happen. Most of the time the illness develops slow. At first the person maybe feels tense, can't concentrate or has trouble sleeping. They may start to be alone more and more. They do not make or keep friends. They may stop caring about the way they look. They may drop out of school or do badly at work.

As the disease becomes worse they may start to act strange and talk without making sense. People with schizophrenia may develop
hallucinations. They may see, feel, smell or hear things that are not really there (not true, only imagine). They may have strange movements. They may stand or sit in strange positions. Some people don't move much and others move around a lot. The symptoms can get worse, then better and again worse and then better.

How does your doctor know if you have schizophrenia?

The psychiatrist will do an interview of the person and family members. There are no medical tests for schizophrenia. There are different disorders or illnesses that are similar to schizophrenia.

Schizotypal personality disorder is not as serious as schizophrenia.

Schizoaffective disorder includes "highs" (mania) or "lows" (depression).

Depressioin, Suicide and Schizophrenia

Many people with schizophrenia also have depression off and on. Many try to commit suicide. Suicide is the number one cause of death for young people with schizophrenia.

What causes Schizophrenia?

Doctors are not sure what causes schizophrenia. Some doctors think the brain may not be able to process information correctly. The chemicals in the brain maybe are not balanced correctly for people with schizophrenia. One possible cause may be heredity or genetic. This means it may be passed down in families. Some doctors think that the things that happen in the person's life can cause schizophrenia to show up in a person.

How is schizophrenia treated?

Schizophrenia is usually treated with antipsychotic medication. Some people also are helped with counseling.

Schizophrenia is usually a lifelong disease. Most people will probably need medication and special care for the rest of their lives. It is very important that people with schizophrenia continue to take their medication to prevent new attacks. A few people continue to have attacks even when they take their medications, but their symptoms are probably not as bad when they take their medication.