Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population. The illness as no respecter of age, level of intelligence, race, gender or social standing. It generally begins in young people in the late teens or early twenties and can, in some cases, last a life time.
The Cause?
The fundamental cause or causes of schizophrenia are not clear, but there are a number of theories, none of which has been proven conclusively. Here is an abridged list of some of the triggers suggested by various medical researchers.
* Stress – e.g. exams or a pressurised job.
* Heredity – parents, grandparents or other relatives may have been sufferers.
* Complications at birth – e.g. lack of oxygen.
* Certain viral infections.
The full list is very much longer than the ones shown above, and there is much disagreement amongst specialists about which are the most likely cause(s). This is some indication of how little is known about schizophrenia. One thing is quite clear, however, more research is needed into this most distressing and common illness. It is not surprising, therefore, that one of the basic aims of own group is to encourage and support good research into the causes and possible cures.
What are the symptoms?
Psychiatrist make a diagnosis of schizophrenia on the grounds of two types of symptoms know as positive and negative symptoms.
Acute schizophrenia is characterised primarily by what are termed positive symptoms. Chronic schizophrenia primarily by what are termed negative symptoms.
Positive symptoms the positive, also know as florid, symptoms of schizophrenia appear as an excess or distortion of everyday behaviour. Positive symptoms include psychotic features such as delusions or hallucinations, disorganised speech or thinking, and chaotic or confused behaviour.
Delusions are erroneous beliefs that usually involve a misinterpretation of perception or experience. For example, people may believe that they are religious figures or members of the royal family, or they may believe they are being persecuted by the police, or that a group of people are after them.
Hallucinations can be experienced through any of the senses, but auditory hallucinations are by far the most common. Most commonly, people may believe they hear voices in their head telling them to do things, or that the television is specking to them directly.
Disorganised speech and thinking are characterised by losing track of conversations, changing from one topic to another unrelated topic, or giving loosely or totally unrelated answers to questions. Similarly, thought processes may be jumbled and not follow any discernible sequence.
Chaotic or disorganised behaviour may be expressed in a variety of ways, ranging from childishness to unpredictability and agitation. People may appear dishevelled or dress in an unusual manner, they may display inappropriate sexual behaviour, or extreme agitation such as shouting and swearing for no apparent reason.
Negative symptoms the negative symptoms of schizophrenia appear as a decrease or loss of everyday functions. Negative symptoms include flattened affect, poverty of speech and loss of motivation.
Flattened affect is characterised by loss of emotional expressiveness. A person’s face may appear expressionless, they may have poor eye contact and reduced body language.
Poverty of speech also know as alogia, is manifested by a person’s loss of fluency in spoken communication. They are less likely to initiate conversations and replies to questions may be met with very brief responses.
Loss of motivation also know as abolition, is characterised by difficulties in initiating or taking part in activities. The person may appear withdraw and show no interest in participation.
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