Week 11: Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe brain disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behavior.

Contrary to popular belief, schizophrenia isn't a split personality or multiple personality. The word "schizophrenia" does mean, "split mind," but it refers to a disruption of the usual balance of emotions and thinking.

In men, schizophrenia symptoms typically start in the early to mid-20s. In women, symptoms typically begin in the late 20s.

Symptoms:

·      Delusions

·      Hallucinations

·      Disorganized Speech/thinking

·      Extremely disorganized or abnormal motor behavior

·      Negative symptoms - This refers to reduced ability or lack of ability to function normally.

Schizophrenia symptoms in teenagers are similar to those in adults, but the condition may be more difficult to recognize in this age group. This may be in part because some of the early symptoms of schizophrenia in teenagers are common for typical development during teen years, such as:

•   Withdrawal from friends and family

•   A drop in performance at school

•   Trouble sleeping

•   Irritability or depressed mood

•   Lack of motivation

Compared with schizophrenia symptoms in adults, teens may be:

•   Less likely to have delusions

•   More likely to have visual hallucinations

Although the precise cause of schizophrenia isn't known, certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia, including:

•   Having a family history of schizophrenia

•   Exposure to viruses, toxins or malnutrition while in the womb, particularly in the first and second trimesters

•   Increased immune system activation, such as from inflammation or autoimmune diseases

•   Older age of the father

Taking mind-altering (psychoactive or psychotropic) drugs during teen years and young adulthood