Scientists aren't exactly sure what causes schizophrenia yet, but it's believed to be a combination of physiological and environmental factors. Research shows that family members of a schizophrenic have a ten times' greater risk of developing the disorder, compared to the general population. Often relatives of schizophrenics will exhibit some similar symptoms, like communication difficulties, strange behavior or paranoia. Brains of schizophrenics have certain noticeable similarities, such as smaller volume, reduced blood flow and neural activity in certain areas and enlarged ventricles at the brain's center. Psychologists say there are five different types of schizophrenia disorder.
Many mental illness specialists view schizophrenia as a group of interconnected illnesses with similar qualities. This condition affects 1-2% of Americans, which equates to a minimum of 2.5 million, with 100,000 to 200,000 new cases diagnosed every year. More hospital beds are occupied by schizophrenics than with patients dealing with cancer, heart disease or diabetes in the United States. However, 70% of those individuals can lead a relatively normal life with the assistance of antipsychotic medications that suppress hallucinations and delusions.
Of all the kinds of schizophrenia, the most common is paranoid schizophrenia, which is found in 40% of all affected people. This form of schizophrenia is conspicuous by delusions and hallucinations. Often, people sense they are being spied upon, sabotaged or simply watched. Sometimes, people who suffer from schizophrenia will have delusions of greatness and believe they are here for a special purpose, for instance a rescuer who was dispatched to alert the planet about imminent disaster. Other people might be consumed by envy or suddenly break out in anger.
While not as common, there are other types of schizophrenia disorder. With catatonic-type schizophrenia, patients may sit and stare for hours on end with a vacuous look in their eyes. They generally withdraw from family and friends, stop speaking and neglect their personal hygiene. A person with disorganized-type schizophrenia might speak using an invented language, walk in strange steps, pace constantly and switch from one topic to the next quickly without transition. After the acute phase of schizophrenia, some people develop what is called "residual schizophrenia," which is a period of social withdrawal, lack of motivation and inappropriate emotions. If the mental disorder does not fit neatly into any of these categories, doctors might say it's an "undifferentiated" type.
Often times, the various types of schizophrenia disorder are called "undifferentiated schizophrenia" if the symptoms do not fall under the category of paranoid schizophrenia. Before making a diagnosis, doctors monitor the patient's symptoms for a period of at least six months. It's estimated that a third of patients recover from a schizophrenic episode without requiring long-term treatment. However, the most severe cases will require life-long dependency on anti-psychotic medications to enable a longer, healthier life. - 31993
Many mental illness specialists view schizophrenia as a group of interconnected illnesses with similar qualities. This condition affects 1-2% of Americans, which equates to a minimum of 2.5 million, with 100,000 to 200,000 new cases diagnosed every year. More hospital beds are occupied by schizophrenics than with patients dealing with cancer, heart disease or diabetes in the United States. However, 70% of those individuals can lead a relatively normal life with the assistance of antipsychotic medications that suppress hallucinations and delusions.
Of all the kinds of schizophrenia, the most common is paranoid schizophrenia, which is found in 40% of all affected people. This form of schizophrenia is conspicuous by delusions and hallucinations. Often, people sense they are being spied upon, sabotaged or simply watched. Sometimes, people who suffer from schizophrenia will have delusions of greatness and believe they are here for a special purpose, for instance a rescuer who was dispatched to alert the planet about imminent disaster. Other people might be consumed by envy or suddenly break out in anger.
While not as common, there are other types of schizophrenia disorder. With catatonic-type schizophrenia, patients may sit and stare for hours on end with a vacuous look in their eyes. They generally withdraw from family and friends, stop speaking and neglect their personal hygiene. A person with disorganized-type schizophrenia might speak using an invented language, walk in strange steps, pace constantly and switch from one topic to the next quickly without transition. After the acute phase of schizophrenia, some people develop what is called "residual schizophrenia," which is a period of social withdrawal, lack of motivation and inappropriate emotions. If the mental disorder does not fit neatly into any of these categories, doctors might say it's an "undifferentiated" type.
Often times, the various types of schizophrenia disorder are called "undifferentiated schizophrenia" if the symptoms do not fall under the category of paranoid schizophrenia. Before making a diagnosis, doctors monitor the patient's symptoms for a period of at least six months. It's estimated that a third of patients recover from a schizophrenic episode without requiring long-term treatment. However, the most severe cases will require life-long dependency on anti-psychotic medications to enable a longer, healthier life. - 31993
About the Author:
There are several different ways of treating schizophrenia. Often it takes a combination of several different approaches in order to find the combination that works best. And you have to understand that this is a lifelong process that is often adjusted at different points. Click here to learn more about schizophrenia disorder.
