Schizophrenia is one of the most devastating brain disorders, completely shutting down an individual’s ability to function physically, emotionally, and logically.
The word schizophrenia is derived from the Greek for “broken mind.” The disorder is often confused with multiple personality disorder (now known as disassociate identity disorder), which is a much rarer condition.
Schizophrenia is marked by abnormalities in the way its victims perceive reality. Sometimes schizophrenics have a hard time distinguishing the real from the unreal.
In addition, distortions in perception may affect all five senses, including sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch, but most commonly are expressed as auditory hallucinations, paranoid or bizarre delusions, and disorganized speech and thinking. This makes it very hard for schizophrenics to act normally in social and work situations.
Schizophrenics can also experience catatonic states (where there is little or no movement and rigid muscles) and sometimes have a total inability to take care of their personal needs. Like most other mental health problems, no one knows exactly what causes it. Genetic factors appear to play a role. People who have family members with schizophrenia are more likely to get the disease themselves.
Some researchers believe that events in a person's environment may trigger schizophrenia. For example, problems (infection) during development in the mother's womb and at birth may increase the risk for developing schizophrenia later in life. Psychological and social factors may also affect its development.
However, a high level of social and family support appears to affect the course of illness and may protect against the condition returning.
Schizophrenia is much less common than brain disorders such as depression, occurring in about 1% of the
population, yet it is one of the most stigmatized of all illnesses. During an episode of schizophrenia, sufferers
may need to stay in a hospital for safety reasons, and to provide for basic needs such as food, rest, and hygiene.
Antipsychotic or neuroleptic medications change the balance of chemicals in the brain and can help control the
symptoms of the disorder. Two of the most commonly prescribed medications for schizophrenia are Risperdal and Zyprexa. These medications are effective, but they can have negative side effects including sleepiness and weight gain.
However, many of these side effects can be addressed, and should not prevent people from seeking treatment for this serious condition. A condition related to schizophrenia is schizoaffective disorder. It is marked by a
combination of mood disorders like depression or mania and psychosis.
Like suffers of schizophrenia, those with schizoaffective disorder can experience distortions of reality, hallucinations, and paranoid delusions.
If you think you or a loved one is suffering from schizophrenia, call the National Mental Health Services at 1-800-789-2647.
Diagnosis: Depression and Bipolar Disorder
* Low self esteem
* Withdrawal from friends and family
* Lack of appetite or increased appetite
* Sleep disturbance
* Loss of interest in activities and interests previously enjoyed
* Withdrawal from friends and family
* Lack of appetite or increased appetite
* Sleep disturbance
* Loss of interest in activities and interests previously enjoyed
* Hopelessness
* Thoughts of death or suicide
* A feeling of worthlessness
* Slowed thinking or acting, difficulty making decisions
* Fatigue
* Loss of interest in sex
These are symptoms of clinical depression, which is the most common mood disorder, striking about 22 million Americans at any given point in time. Depression is so prevalent that it has been termed the “common cold” of mental health disorders. It is characterized by persistent negative moods and an inability to experience pleasure.
If you are diagnosed with depression, you are in good company. Many celebrities and famous figures from history have suffered from depression including Abraham Lincoln, Winston Churchill, Ernest Hemingway, Michelangelo, Jim Carrey, Janet Jackson, Charles Dickens, Drew Carey and Mike Wallace of “60 Minutes” fame.
There are two main types of depression. When the symptoms are severe, persistent
and interfere with a person’s ability to function day-to-day, the diagnosis is known as major depressive disorder.
When the symptoms are mild but persistent the diagnosis is known as dysthymia.
Dysthymia, when left untreated, can last up to 10 years.
The flip side of depression is known as mania. Those suffering from mania
exhibit an excessively elated, active emotional state. The symptoms are often
the opposite of depression. Those who suffer from depression and mania have bipolar disorder.
Someone experiencing mania may have unusually high levels of energy, need little
sleep and have increased appetites for food, alcohol, and sex. They often spend
money foolishly. Many manic patients describe their thoughts as racing. Some speak rapidly, and move from one activity to the next with great optimism and self-confidence. In its most severe stage, the sufferer has psychoses and may hear voices or see things that are not there.
Fortunately, depression and bipolar disorder are highly treatable, with 80 to 90 percent of sufferers achieving complete recovery through a combination of medications and talk therapy.
Anti-depressant drugs are thought to relieve depression by increasing neurotransmitters (chemicals that are involved in carrying signals between brain cells), while talk therapy with a licensed therapist helps to change a patient’s negative thought patterns. In addition, those with bipolar disorder are put on a mood "stabilizer' like lithium.
If you think you or a loved one is suffering from major depression or bipolar disorder or is suicidal call the following national hotline:
National Hopeline Network 1-800-784-2433 http://www.hopeline.com/
