Understanding the brain disorder schizophrenia

Things that may be involved include: Someone may inherit a tendency to develop schizoaffective disorder from their parents.

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that usually appears in late adolescence or early adulthood. Characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive difficulties, schizophrenia can often be a lifelong struggle.

In this article, we will cover the causes, symptoms, and treatment of schizophrenia. Fast facts on schizophrenia Here are some key points about schizophrenia. More detail and supporting information is in the main article. Schizophrenia affects an estimated 1 percent of the population.

Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts. Diagnosing schizophrenia comes only after other disease have been ruled out. Schizophrenia most commonly strikes between the ages of 16 and 30and males tend to show symptoms at a slightly younger age than females.

In many cases, the disorder develops so slowly that the individual does not know that they have had it for many years. However, in other cases, it can strike suddenly and develop quickly.

Schizophrenia affects approximately 1 percent of all adults, globally. Experts say schizophrenia is probably many illnesses masquerading as one.

Symptoms of schizophrenia Schizophrenia is often a life-long condition. A sizable proportion of people with schizophrenia have to rely on others because they are unable to hold a job or care for themselves.

Many may also resist treatment, arguing that there is nothing wrong with them. Some patients may present clear symptoms, but on other occasions, they may seem fine until they start explaining what they are truly thinking.

The effects of schizophrenia reach far beyond the patient - families, friends, and society are affected too. Symptoms and signs of schizophrenia will vary, depending on the individual.

The symptoms are classified into four categories: Positive symptoms - also known as psychotic symptoms. For example, delusions and hallucinations.

Negative symptoms - these refer to elements that are taken away from the individual. For example, absence of facial expressions or lack of motivation. They may be positive or negative symptoms, for example, poor concentration is a negative symptom.

Emotional symptoms - these are usually negative symptoms, such as blunted emotions. Below is a list of the major symptoms: Delusions - the patient displays false beliefs, which can take many forms, such as delusions of persecution, or delusions of grandeur.

They may feel others are attempting to control them remotely.

Or, they may think they have extraordinary powers and abilities. Hallucinations - hearing voices is much more common than seeing, feeling, tasting, or smelling things which are not there, however, people with schizophrenia may experience a wide range of hallucinations.

Thought disorder - the person may jump from one subject to another for no logical reason. The speaker may be hard to follow or erratic. Other symptoms may include: Lack of motivation avolition - the patient loses their drive.

Everyday actions, such as washing and cooking, are neglected. Poor expression of emotions - responses to happy or sad occasions may be lacking, or inappropriate. Social withdrawal - when a patient with schizophrenia withdraws socially, it is often because they believe somebody is going to harm them.

Unawareness of illness - as the hallucinations and delusions seem so real for patients, many of them may not believe they are ill.Causes and Treatments of Schizophrenia Essay.

that are homeless have a disease called schizophrenia or they have manic depressive disorder. Schizophrenia is a long term mental disorder that breaks down the connection between thought, emotion, and behavior.

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects less than one percent of the U.S. population. When schizophrenia is active, symptoms can include delusions, hallucinations, trouble with thinking and concentration, and lack of motivation. Data from modern scientific research proves that schizophrenia is unequivocally a biological disease of the brain, just like Alzheimer's Disease and Bipolar Disorder.

For one thing, schizophrenia is now known to be partially caused by genetics and to be inherited. Schizophrenia is described as a type of brain disorder, which affects the emotional status of the person.

The person affected with schizophrenia has difficulty in perceiving reality causing abnormality in the thought process as well as the actions. Schizophrenia is a serious disorder which affects how a person thinks, feels and acts. Someone with schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is imaginary; may be unresponsive or withdrawn; and may have difficulty expressing normal emotions in social situations.

NIMH Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders Research Program: This program administers funding to scientists doing research into the origins, onset, course, and outcome of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and such related conditions as schizotypal and schizoid personality disorders.