SolveYourProblem eLearning Series: Mental Illness
Explain Mental Illnesses To Me

What Is Schizophrenia?
   

Schizophrenia is a brain disease that disables a person from everyday functioning. Understanding what schizophrenia is and the different characteristics behind it will often allow someone to help someone who is suffering from schizophrenia. Because this is a serious, mental illness, it is important to know what is involved in schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is known as a brain disease that slowly begins to function one from normal functioning. From this disease, one begins to confuse realities and will begin to carry strange behaviors and personalities. From this, the person who develops schizophrenia is unable to function at a normal level.

Schizophrenia may be a result of several different factors. Several say that it is a result of genetics that run in the family. It is said that several genes that are combined together will cause schizophrenia in someone. Another reason why schizophrenia may develop in someone is because of problems that they may have had at birth. Complications that stress out the fetus often result in schizophrenia developing later on. Another possible reason for schizophrenia is because of neural transmitters that move into the brain. Communications between nerve cells may cause the chemicals in the brain to shift and result in schizophrenia. These are only a few of several factors in which are being considered in relation to schizophrenia.

One of the early signs of schizophrenia is a constant state of confusion. This is then reinforced by sudden changes in behavior and personality. Several who are developing schizophrenia will often times do things that are out of their normal character. This will then lead to hallucinations and delusions that they believe occur in certain situations or at certain places. For instance, if one who is schizophrenic is in a certain situation, they will begin to believe that there are things or people around the area that aren’t really there. This can be done at several extremes.

As a result from this, they will begin to withdraw from friends and loved ones. This is not only because of the delusions, but also is a result of paranoia over what they believe these people can do. Often times, the delusions that are occurring are in relation to the person believing that they are a victim of a situation. Once schizophrenia worsens, it can produce problems with speech.

Disorganized thinking is another part of schizophrenia. Those with this disease will be known to jump from one subject to another with no connection. They will also not be able to put their thoughts together on one topic. This is a result of the hallucinations as well as the states of confusion that those with schizophrenia have developed.

Often times, those with schizophrenia will have uncontrollable feelings of fear and anger. This is often a result of the hallucinations that begin to occur. Often times, those with schizophrenia will feel like they are being victimized in several different situations. This includes the feeling that they are being persecuted or conspired against.

Those who have schizophrenia may respond in several different ways in order to control or minimize their thoughts. Several will turn to drug and alcohol abuse. Dependence on several external forces becomes dominant with a schizophrenic. You may also notice that the behaviors and personality shifts are not consistent in one who is suffering from this brain disease. Many times, suicide is one of the results from those suffering from schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia does not have a set treatment to it yet. Those that are experimenting with schizophrenia are still trying to find the exact cause of the disease as well as a balanced way to treat the symptoms. However, there are several different medications that can be used to reduce the symptoms that may be occurring. Before one decides to do this, it is important to look at the side effects, as well as the long term effects that may occur. Several will decide to go through rehabilitation or psychotherapy instead of being treated by a medication.

Schizophrenia is not a multiple personality disorder and is usually not dangerous to those around them. By understanding when someone is schizophrenic, and knowing what they are going through, you can help them and reassure their fears from the hallucinations and problems that they are having. By understanding the traits and behaviors of one that is schizophrenic, you can help them in adjusting to a somewhat normal life.

# # # # #

by SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

> Home > Mental Illness Articles : Main Page