A lot of people have heard of schizophrenia, yet not many understand it. Schizophrenia is not a split of personality, as the Swiss psychiatrist Paul Eugen Bleuler defined it in 1910, schizophrenia comes from a Greek word that means split mind. Schizophrenia is not necessarily MPD (multiple personality disorder), very few cases of related schizophrenia to MPD have been recorded by psychiatrists. And many if not most suspect that such a condition does not exist.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia simply defined as is a severe mental illness in which patients have aberrant perceptions of reality. Schizophrenia can include hallucinations, delusions, and profoundly abnormal thought and behavior, which can make it difficult to function on a daily basis.
What was schizophrenia misunderstood for?
People in history did not think of 'madness' (a term they used indiscriminately to describe all varieties of psychosis) as a mental condition, but as divine retribution or demonic possession. The Old Testament, particularly the First Book of Samuel, provides evidence for this, with King Saul becoming "crazy" after disregarding his religious duties and angering God.
What are the symptoms?
Delusions; false truth, things that are wrong or unreal not based on reality, for instance, you believe you are being harassed or hurt; particular gestures or statements are directed at you; you have special skill or fame; another person is in love with you, or a catastrophic disaster is imminent.
Extremely disorganized or abnormal motor behavior: This can manifest itself in a variety of ways, ranging from childish silliness to erratic agitation. It's difficult to complete activities when behavior isn't focused on a goal.
Negative symptoms: This is a term that describes a diminished or absent ability to function regularly. The person may, for example, ignore personal hygiene or appear emotionless (i.e., does not make eye contact, does not alter facial expressions, or speaks in a monotone). In addition, the person may lose interest in routine tasks, retreat socially, or be unable to enjoy pleasure.
What are the risk factors of this mental illness?
Family history with schizophrenia, mind-altering drugs in the teenage years, or pregnancy and birth complications, such as malnutrition or exposure to toxins or viruses that may impact brain development can cause a person to have schizophrenia.
What is Schizophrenia´s remedy?
Medication, primarily antipsychotic medication, is at the heart of schizophrenia recovery. This type of drug is used to treat psychosis and other symptoms associated with schizophrenia. There are various antipsychotic medications to select from, and a person may need to try several to discover the one that works best for them.
25% are in recovery within10 years
25% significantly improved and living independently within 10 years