Information+on+Schizophrenia

=**What is Schizophrenia?** =

Schizophrenia is a severely chronic brain disorder. It is described as “perhaps the biggest mystery of modern psychiatry" (Pearce 1). The word ‘schizophrenia’ was originated from the Greek words “skhizein meaning 'to split' and phren meaning 'mind'” (Morgan, 2010). This being said, schizophrenia is known to be described as a split personality although this is a misconception and is a reason for the negative stigma towards individuals with this mental illness. “3 in every 100 people will experience a psychotic episode in their lifetime and 1 in every 100 will have schizophrenia" (Pearce 2008).

__**Symptoms of Schizophre****nia**__

> (Morgan, 2010) > (Pearce, 2008)
 * Hallucinations: Hear voices, belief that others are reading their mind, plotting to harm them, or controlling their though
 * Paranoia: Difficulty knowing what is real and what is not
 * Delusion: An example [[image:for0253l.jpg width="320" height="279" align="right"]]be a fear that a message from a magazine or on television is personally directed to them.
 * A sense of being Your actions and thoughts are in control by greater power, or another person.
 * Leaky Sieve: When you experience multiple thoughts and voices, you have little control over thoughts leaving and entering the brain.
 * Social withdrawal
 * Self neglect
 * Loss of motivation
 * Emotional blunting
 * Catatonic symptoms: Such as mannerism and posturing
 * Disorganized speech
 * Irrational ideas of special identity or abilities

// **Early symptoms found in Teens** // > (Pearce, 2008) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">These early symptoms found mainly in teenagers are extremely hard to detect because they are mainly very common young adolescent behavior that most people would describe as normal behavior at that age and not different or uncommon.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Grades drop
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Trouble concentrating
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Irritability
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Suspicious
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Withdrawing from family member

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Causes of Schizophrenia**__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// **Genetics:** // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">A common cause for schizophrenia is based on genetics. Research has shown plenty of evidence towards an increased risk for individuals who have a parent or a sibling with schizophrenia. “One in 10 people with a parent or sibling with schizophrenia would go on to develop it, which, Dr. Addington says, ‘wasn't much use as a preventative measure’" (Pearce, 2008). Research has found that there are 2 types of abnormalities within our genes that can be one cause to developing schizophrenia. They are “found in single letters in the code and in large chunks of DNA involving more than 100,000 letters. They can either be seen as missing or repeated in some people with the disease” (Smith, 2008).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// **Stress during Pregnancy:** // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">There is also some research that shows that extreme stress in pregnant women can increase the child’s likelihood of developing schizophrenia. “Dr. Abel said ‘previous research has that children born to women exposed during pregnancy to severe emotional stress from earthquake, loss of a loved one, famine or war have an elevated risk of becoming schizophrenic as young adults’” (Ubelacker 2008). Based on the general research of this theory, studies have shown that stress during pregnancy which may develop schizophrenia is much greater during the early stages of pregnancy versus the mid and later stages. Research believes the reason for this can be that the "chemicals released by the mother's brain in response to stress may have an effect on the developing brain of the fetus. These effects may be strongest in early pregnancy, when protective barriers between the mother and fetus are not fully constructed" (Ubelacker 2008).

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// **Drug Use:** // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Use of drugs such as cannabis, LSD or speed can increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, particularly cannabis. Having a high percentage of THC can create the most harm from the use of cannabis.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// **Environmental Stressors:** // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Mainly social stress can make an individual more vulnerable to the illness.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">There is not one main cause of schizophrenia but a multiple of causes that increase the risk of developing schizophrenia

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Risk Factors of Schizophrenia**__

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">More at risk for alcohol and substance abuse which can be linked to suicide risks
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> “Suicide risk which is 10% greater in the first 5 years” (Pan, 2011).
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“Brain damage seen in a “size increase from the lateral ventricles and other grey matter deficits, which can be commonly seen during the first episode” (Morgan, 2010)

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Diagnosis for Schizophrenia**__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//** At least one of the following most be present for the majority of a month **//
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Thought echo, insertion or withdrawal, or thought broadcast.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Delusions of control referred to body parts, actions, sensations or thoughts; delusional perception.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Hallucinatory voices giving a running commentary, discussing the patient, or coming from a part of the patient's body
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Persistent bizarre or culturally inappropriate delusions.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//** Or at least two present most of the time for one month **// > (Morgan, 2010)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Persistent daily hallucinations accompanied by delusions.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Incoherent or irrelevant speech.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Catatonic behaviour such as stupor or posturing.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Negative symptoms such as marked apathy, blunted or incongruous mood

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Treatment**__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Treatment is focused on psychological and social help for patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. The treatments extend from helping maintain schizophrenia to helping with related problems such as depression. Therapies for patients with schizophrenia look at “social skill training, psycho-social rehabilitation, job training, help finding work, money management and day to day living” (Pan. 2011). Education is another key piece for both patient with the illness and their family members to help understand the illness more.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Medicine**__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Most common medicine given to a schizophrenic patient is anti-psychotics. Anti-psychotics work by restoring the balance of chemicals in the brain. It’s used long term to help maintain symptoms of schizophrenia. “Antipsychotics are recommended for one to two years after first presentation, although patients should be encouraged to keep taking medication because ongoing antipsychotic treatment protects against further relapse. Rate of relapse at one year is 20 per cent with medication compared with 57 per cent without” (Morgan, 2010). Unfortunately people on antipsychotics are also at risk of “developing diabetes, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease and involuntary movements" (Pan, 2011). <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Patients can't take one of the following if they are having severe negative effects with anti-psychotics or if they find anti-psychotics is not working <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// **1. Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs/atypicals)** // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Recommended: less likely to cause hyperprolactinaemia, extrapyramidal side-effects or tardive dyskinesia as oppose to first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs/typicals)” (Morgan, 2010). If a patient can’t take anti-psychotics due to severe negative effects or if they feel anti-psychotics are not helping they can take <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">//** 2. Clozapine as an alternative. **// <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“It’s effective for 20-30 per cent of patients who have not responded to antipsychotics and is especially effective in treating <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">negative symptoms” (Morgan, 2010).

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**How do you Manage Schizophrenia**__


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Acute psychosis: seen within 48hrs. Take benzodiazpine if aggitated.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Mental Health Assessment act: if patient is a risk for self harm or harm to others and refuses help
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Manage Physical health: diabetes, cardiovascular diease
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Primary Care to Secondary care if patients show substance misuse, poor compliance, increases in symptoms and or side effects, or self harm.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Coping**__

> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> (Morgan, 2010)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Family Intervention
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Art Therapy
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Educate to reduce fear of stigma
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Increase awareness, so that young adolescents and males do not feel ashamed for their sickness and get the appropriate help. To let people understand its an illness not a crime
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Increase awareness on the reality of the illness, the early symptoms, and importance of detecting it early.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Family support
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Skill training for family who take on the role as care giver
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Family can feel excluded in the doctor patient relationship, build on family inculsion

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Age Onset**__

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“The most common age of onset is late teens, early 20s” (Pan, 2011). <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">// **Adolescence:** // <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">It is important to spot early signs of schizophrenia at an early age, this will increase the chances of either preventing schizophrenia from occurring or lowering the severity of the illness. "Many researchers are looking to detect the risk factors before they erupt. Even successfully treated schizophrenia patients say that getting a handle on their condition earlier could have spared them some of the more serious effects, such as hospitalization" (Pearce, 2008). It is very important to educate and increase awareness about mental illness and early symptoms to teachers, youth workers, counselors and anyone else who may deal with youth. “Chris Summerville, the interim CEO of the Schizophrenia Society of Canada stated that ‘up to 70 per cent of people with schizophrenia recover, we can enhance that recovery with early discovery’" (Pearce, 2008).

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Gender Onset**__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Studies have shown that males develop schizophrenia more so then females. "The male to female risk ratio is 4:1. Males usually present before the age of 25 and females before the age of 35" (Morgan, 2010).

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">__**Video Resource on Schizophrenia**__

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Impact on Schizophrenia on patient's life, cost and stigma <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">media type="youtube" key="UnRwMjutEN4?version=3" height="315" width="420"