Young people * Mental wellbeing
An introduction the psychological disorder Schizophrenia
Basic translation of the word schizophrenia is `cleaving of the mind'. This severe form of mental illness results in such disturbed thoughts, feelings and actions that sufferers loose contact with reality. For many this results in chronic ill health and some degree of personality change.
Schizophrenia affects about 250,000 people (mainly 16-25 yr olds) in the UK, with 35,000 being admitted into hospital, each year. A first attack will rarely occurr after the age of 50.
Few sufferers will experience the same symptoms. Some experience positive feelings thinking they are Jesus Christ, Napolean etc. whilst others have negative affects believing that people are conspiring against them, voices are talking about them, lack of motivation, apathy and loss of affection towards family and friends. Many feel their thoughts and actions aren't their own, and 10% believe so strongly that others are conspiring to kill them that they themselves become violent.
Some sufferers believe that objects or people are controlling their thoughts or actions in a way that cannot be explained. Others may see, taste smell or even feel things which aren't there.
The true cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but hereditary can play a part, with brothers, sisters and offspring facing a 10% chance of getting schizophrenia.
Certain brain disorders such as temporal lobe epilepsy, encephalitis and brain tumours can produce symptoms, as can certain drugs such as amphetamines, whereas drugs that block the action of the brain chemical `dopamine' can relieve schizophrenia symptoms. Liken the brain to a giant complicated telephone exchange, which, when normal, transfers messages without any problems. In schizophrenia, some form of `faulty wiring' produces the malfunction.
About 25% of sufferers recover completely after their first attack, and a substantial proportion of patients can expect to lead a reasonably normal life. Treatment involves the use of drugs called neuroleptics, which although they do not 'cure' they can control most of the symptoms. Great advances are being made in this are new treatments which control symptoms with fewer side effects include Clopixol, Clozaril and Risperdal.
Further information:
The Schizophrenia Association of Gt. Britain
Image © anna - Fotolia.com
Introduction to Schizophrenia
An introduction the psychological disorder Schizophrenia
Basic translation of the word schizophrenia is `cleaving of the mind'. This severe form of mental illness results in such disturbed thoughts, feelings and actions that sufferers loose contact with reality. For many this results in chronic ill health and some degree of personality change. Schizophrenia affects about 250,000 people (mainly 16-25 yr olds) in the UK, with 35,000 being admitted into hospital, each year. A first attack will rarely occurr after the age of 50.
Few sufferers will experience the same symptoms. Some experience positive feelings thinking they are Jesus Christ, Napolean etc. whilst others have negative affects believing that people are conspiring against them, voices are talking about them, lack of motivation, apathy and loss of affection towards family and friends. Many feel their thoughts and actions aren't their own, and 10% believe so strongly that others are conspiring to kill them that they themselves become violent.
Some sufferers believe that objects or people are controlling their thoughts or actions in a way that cannot be explained. Others may see, taste smell or even feel things which aren't there.
The true cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but hereditary can play a part, with brothers, sisters and offspring facing a 10% chance of getting schizophrenia.
Certain brain disorders such as temporal lobe epilepsy, encephalitis and brain tumours can produce symptoms, as can certain drugs such as amphetamines, whereas drugs that block the action of the brain chemical `dopamine' can relieve schizophrenia symptoms. Liken the brain to a giant complicated telephone exchange, which, when normal, transfers messages without any problems. In schizophrenia, some form of `faulty wiring' produces the malfunction.
About 25% of sufferers recover completely after their first attack, and a substantial proportion of patients can expect to lead a reasonably normal life. Treatment involves the use of drugs called neuroleptics, which although they do not 'cure' they can control most of the symptoms. Great advances are being made in this are new treatments which control symptoms with fewer side effects include Clopixol, Clozaril and Risperdal.
Further information:
The Schizophrenia Association of Gt. Britain
This article was published on Mon 31 July 2006
Image © anna - Fotolia.com
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