For Family Members Of People With Schizophrenia
It can be hard to understand what is happening if your son or daughter, husband or wife, brother or sister develops schizophrenia. Sometimes, no-one realises what is wrong.
Your relative may become odd, distant or just different from how they used to be. They may avoid contact with people and become less active.
If they have delusional ideas, they may talk about them but may also keep quiet about them. If they are hearing voices, they may suddenly look away from you as if they are listening to something else.
When you speak to them, they may say little, or be difficult to understand. Their sleep pattern may change so that they stay up all night and sleep during the day.
In a teenager, you may wonder if this behaviour is just rebellious. It can happen so slowly that only when you look back can you see when it started.
It can be particularly difficult to recognise these changes during the teenage years, when young people are changing so much anyway.
You may start to blame yourself and wonder Was it my fault? You may wonder if anyone else in the family is going to be affected, what the future holds, or how they can get the best help.
What Is The Icd
The ICD is a classification manual used in most countries of the world to diagnose psychiatric disorders. It is currently in its eleventh edition, having undergone several revisions.
These revisions focus on improving the reliability and validity of the classification tool.
According to the ICD, for a patient to be diagnosed with schizophrenia:
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Negative symptoms for at least one month consistently, with one or more of the following:
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Incoherent speech, catatonic behaviours, avolition, and some positive symptoms, such as delusional perceptions and hallucinations, i.e., hearing voices.
The DSM is sometimes still used as the basis for the ICD.
What Are The Different Subtypes Of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder that can cause drastically different symptoms in those afflicted. Depending on the individual, symptoms can range from mild to extreme, from antisocial behavior to psychotic episodes. Since there is such a wide range of experiences with the same disorder, there are five different subtypes of schizophrenia. Below you can find the five most common subtypes of schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a devastating mental disorder that can cause drastically different symptoms in those afflicted. Depending on the individual, symptoms can range from mild to extreme, from antisocial behavior to psychotic episodes. Since there is such a wide range of experiences with the same disorder, there are five different subtypes of schizophrenia. Below you can find the five most common subtypes of schizophrenia.
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Schizophrenia: The 7 Keys To Self
Seek social support. Friends and family vital to helping you get the right treatment and keeping your symptoms under control. Regularly connecting with others face-to-face is also the most effective way to calm your nervous system and relieve stress. Stay involved with others by continuing your work or education. If thats not possible, consider volunteering, joining a schizophrenia support group, or taking a class or joining a club to spend time with people who have common interests. As well as keeping you socially connected, it can help you feel good about yourself.
Manage stress. High levels of stress are believed to trigger schizophrenic episodes by increasing the bodys production of the hormone cortisol. As well as staying socially connected, there are plenty of steps you can take to reduce your stress levels. Try adopting a regular relaxation practice such as yoga, deep breathing, or meditation.
Get regular exercise. As well as all the emotional and physical benefits, exercise may help reduce symptoms of schizophrenia, improve your focus and energy, and help you feel calmer. Aim for 30 minutes of activity on most days, or if its easier, three 10-minute sessions. Try rhythmic exercise that engages both your arms and legs, such as walking, running, swimming, or dancing.
Schizophrenia Spectrum And Other Psychotic Disorders
Individuals with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders lose contact with reality and experience a range of extreme symptoms that may include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking , and/or grossly disorganized or abnormal behavior . Psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, schizophreniform disorder, brief psychotic disorder, delusional disorder, shared psychotic disorder, substance-induced psychotic disorder, and paraphrenia. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, less than 1% of Americans have schizophrenia.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Schizophrenia And How Is It Diagnosed
How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
Only a psychiatrist can diagnose you with schizophrenia after a full psychiatric assessment. You may have to see the psychiatrist a few times before they diagnose you. This is because they need to see how often you are experiencing symptoms.
There are currently no blood tests or scans that can prove if you have schizophrenia. So, psychiatrists use manuals to diagnose schizophrenia and other mental illnesses.
The 2 main manuals used by medical professionals are the:
- International Classification of Diseases which is produced by the World Health Organisation , or
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual which is produced by the American Psychiatric Association .
NHS doctors use the ICD-10.
The manuals explain which symptoms should be present, and for how long for you to receive a diagnosis. For example, according to the NHS you need to be hearing voices for at least 1 month before you can be diagnosed. Mental health professionals may say you have psychosis before they diagnose you with schizophrenia.
What is the future of diagnosis in schizophrenia?There are many research studies being conducted across the world on how to better diagnose schizophrenia. For example, a recent study found through looking at images of the brain, there may be different sub-types of schizophrenia.
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
The symptoms of schizophrenia are commonly described as positive symptoms or negative symptoms. This doesnt mean that they are good or bad.
What Myths Are There About Schizophrenia
There are some myths or mistaken beliefs about schizophrenia which come from the media. For example,
- Schizophrenia means someone has a split personality
This is not the case. The mistake may come from the fact that the name ‘schizophrenia’ comes from two Greek words meaning ‘split’ and ‘mind’.
- Schizophrenia causes people to be violent
Research shows that only a small number of people with the illness may become violent. The same way as a small minority of the general public may become violent.
People with schizophrenia are far more likely to be harmed by other people than other people are to be harmed by them. But as these incidents can be shocking, the media often report them in a way which emphasises the mental health diagnosis. This can create fear and stigma in the general public.
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Treatment Used For Schizophrenia
Unlike a health issue like a broken leg where you receive treatment, your leg heals, and you move on. Schizophrenia needs to be treated throughout someones life.
Once a person has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and seeks treatment, their doctors will work with them to create a plan. This plan will help them manage their symptoms.
Each patient is different. Therefore, their plan might be one thing or a combination of treatments. These treatments help them get a better handle on their schizophrenia disorder.
The Role Of Brain Chemistry And Structure In Schizophrenia
Scientists are looking at possible differences in brain structure and function in people with and people without schizophrenia. In people with schizophrenia, they found that:
- Spaces in the brain, called ventricles, were larger.
- Parts of the brain that deal with memory, known as the medial temporal lobes, were smaller.
- There were fewer connections between brain cells.
People with schizophrenia also tend to have differences in brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These control communication within the brain.
Studies show that these neurotransmitters are either too active or not active enough in people with schizophrenia.
Doctors also believe the brain loses tissue over time. And imaging tools, like PET scans and MRIs, show that people who have schizophrenia have less âgray matterâ the part of the brain that contains nerve cells over time.
Studies of brain tissue in people with schizophrenia after death even show that their brain structure is often different than it was at birth.
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How Do Doctors Diagnose The Type Of Schizophrenia
If the patient is admitted, the psychiatrist talks to them and evaluates their behavior, considers whether any symptoms were triggered by alcohol or drugs, reviews any records from prior admissions, and talks to the family.
Initially, we may only see that the patient is losing track of reality, says Dr. Bowers. We may need more time to see all the symptoms of schizophrenia. These symptoms include:
- Fixed, false beliefs.
- Seeing visions or shadows.
- Suspicion and distrust.
Government regulations require psychiatrists to diagnose a specific type of schizophrenia so that insurance companies get the green light to pay for care.
We hope to see enough symptoms during a three-, five- or 10-day hospital stay to clarify the type of schizophrenia, she says. But we may not see all of them, so the initial diagnosis may not be exactly right.
The Different Types Of Schizophrenia
Mental health disorders are complicated and can be hard to diagnose. Often, people have overlapping symptoms or more than one disorder at the same time. Because of these variations, mental health disorders are often classified by broad term first and then broken down into more specific disorders. One such example is with schizophrenia.
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Here Are Some Things You Can Do To Help Your Loved One:
- Help them get treatment and encourage them to stay in treatment
- Remember that their beliefs or hallucinations seem very real to them
- Tell them that you acknowledge that everyone has the right to see things their way
- Be respectful, supportive, and kind without tolerating dangerous or inappropriate behavior
- Check to see if there are any support groups in your area
Some symptoms require immediate emergency care. If your loved one is thinking about harming themselves or others or attempting suicide, seek help right away:
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK or text the Crisis Text Line .
Negative Symptoms Of Schizophrenia
The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can often appear several years before somebody experiences their first acute schizophrenic episode.
These initial negative symptoms are often referred to as the prodromal period of schizophrenia.
Symptoms during the prodromal period usually appear gradually and slowly get worse.
They include the person becoming more socially withdrawn and increasingly not caring about their appearance and personal hygiene.
It can be difficult to tell whether the symptoms are part of the development of schizophrenia or caused by something else.
Negative symptoms experienced by people living with schizophrenia include:
- losing interest and motivation in life and activities, including relationships and sex
- lack of concentration, not wanting to leave the house, and changes in sleeping patterns
- being less likely to initiate conversations and feeling uncomfortable with people, or feeling there’s nothing to say
The negative symptoms of schizophrenia can often lead to relationship problems with friends and family as they can sometimes be mistaken for deliberate laziness or rudeness.
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Positive And Negative Symptoms
The symptoms of schizophrenia are usually classified into:
- positive symptoms any change in behaviour or thoughts, such as hallucinations or delusions
- negative symptoms where people appear to withdraw from the world around then, take no interest in everyday social interactions, and often appear emotionless and flat
What Does Waxy Flexibility Mean
When you have waxy flexibility, your limbs might resist a little when a doctor tries to move them. Then your muscles slowly release, like when you bend a warm candle. You usually keep the new position. For example, if the doctor raises one of your arms or legs, you’ll stay that way for a while. That’s called catalepsy.
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The 4 Most Common Types Of Schizophrenia
Its safe to conclude at this point that schizophrenia is a complex disease. Living with schizophrenia isnt easy, but understanding more about the disorder and its many ramifications can help you deal with your own issues or help a loved one who is struggling. Here is some valuable information about the four most common types of schizophrenia to get you started.
1. Paranoid Schizophrenia
Paranoid schizophrenia is the most common manifestation of the disorder. According to the International Classification of Diseases, its most prominent symptom is constituted by hallucinations and delusions. Due to the paranoid aspect, these usually consist of unusual feelings of being watched, followed or even hunted down.
Unlike the other common types, paranoid schizophrenia can also develop at a later age, while others usually start to show in early childhood. This was the case of Nobel prize laureate mathematician John Forbes Nash Jr., whose struggle with this particular illness has been documented in the biographic film A Beautiful Mind.
2. Catatonic Schizophrenia
Although its rarer than other types of schizophrenia, catatonic behavior is still widely exhibited by schizophrenics, as well as people who suffer from other mental conditions, such as depression or bipolar disorder. Catatonia implies falling into behavioral extremes, much like manic and depressive episodes.
3. Disorganized Schizophrenia
4. Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
Having A Parent With The Condition
Having a parent with a serious mental illness like schizophrenia is the strongest known risk factor for developing a serious mental illness yourself. Children with a parent who has a serious mental illness have a 1 in 3 chance of developing a serious mental illness themselves.
Although only 1 in 100 people get schizophrenia, about 1 in 10 people with schizophrenia have a parent with the illness.
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Is Adhd Similar To Bipolar
Bipolar disorder is primarily a mood disorder. ADHD affects attention and behavior it causes symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD is chronic or ongoing, bipolar disorder is usually episodic, with periods of normal mood interspersed with depression, mania, or hypomania.
Family Education And Support
Educational programs for family members, significant others, and friends offer instruction about schizophrenia symptoms and treatments, and strategies for assisting the person with the illness. Increasing key supporters understanding of psychotic symptoms, treatment options, and the course of recovery can lessen their distress, bolster coping and empowerment, and strengthen their capacity to offer effective assistance. Family-based services may be provided on an individual basis or through multi-family workshops and support groups. For more information about family-based services in your area, you can visit the family education and support groups page on the National Alliance on Mental Illness website.
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What Is The Prognosis For Schizophrenia
The prognosis for people with schizophrenia can vary depending on the amount of support and treatment the patients receives. Many people with schizophrenia are able to function well and lead normal lives. However, people with schizophrenia have a higher death rate and higher incidence of substance abuse. When medications are taken regularly and the family is supportive, patients can have better outcomes.
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry: “Schizophrenia In Children.”
- Brown University: “Schizophrenia .”
- National Alliance on Mental Illness : “Schizophrenia in Children and Adolescents.”
Chemical Changes In The Brain
A series of complex interrelated chemicals in the brain, called neurotransmitters, are responsible for sending signals between brain cells.
Low levels or imbalances of these chemicals are believed to play a role in the development of schizophrenia and other mental health conditions.
Dopamine, in particular, seems to play a role in the development of schizophrenia.
Researchers have found evidence that dopamine causes an overstimulation of the brain in people with schizophrenia. It may account for some of the symptoms of the condition.
Glutamate is another chemical thats been linked to schizophrenia. Evidence has pointed toward its involvement. However, there are a number of limitations to this research.
Complications before and during birth may increase the likelihood a person will develop mental health disorders, including schizophrenia.
These complications include:
Because of the ethics involved in studying pregnant women, many of the studies that have looked at the connection between prenatal complications and schizophrenia have been on animals.
Women with schizophrenia are at an increased risk for complications during pregnancy.
Its unclear if their children are at an increased likelihood for developing the condition because of genetics, pregnancy complications, or a combination of the two.
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There Are Four Types Of Schizophrenia And They All Affect The Sufferer In A Different Way Knowing These Differences Will Help You Understand This Mental Disorder Better
Going through life with the burden of mental illness on your shoulder is hard enough when you suffer from something thats easy to pinpoint. But when were talking about schizophrenia, things get complicated. Still, understanding the disorder and different types of schizophrenia is an important step towards active healing.
Five Different Types Of Schizophrenia
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Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder, characterized by hallucinations, delusional thinking, a distorted perception of reality, poor cognitive skills, and disorganized speech or behavior. Affecting roughly 1% of the population in the United States, schizophrenia is characterized by hallucinations, delusional thinking, a distorted perception of reality, poor cognitive skills, and disorganized speech or behavior.
The causes of schizophrenia are similar to those of other psychiatric disorders genetics and family history, environmental factors, and changes in brain chemistry. Common misconceptions and stigmas about people with schizophrenia are that they tend to become violent and have split personalities.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that schizoaffective disorder affects about 0.3% of the population. Men and women experience schizoaffective disorder at a similar rate but men develop the illness at a younger age. The National Institutes of Health estimates approximately 1.1% of American adults will be diagnosed with schizophrenia at some point in their life. Schizophrenia can occur at all ages but tends to occur in the late teens to the early 20s for men, and the late 20s to early 30s for women. Experiencing schizophrenia at ages younger than 12 or older than 40 is very uncommon.
There are five different types of schizophrenia all of which are determined by the symptoms shown by the patient.
Paranoid Schizophrenia
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