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Myths about Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia refers to a “split personality” or multiple personalities.
Multiple personality disorder is a different and much less common disorder than schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia do not have split personalities. Rather, they are “split off” from reality.
Schizophrenia is a rare condition.
Schizophrenia is not rare; the lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia is widely accepted to be around 1 in 100.
People with schizophrenia are dangerous.
Although the delusional thoughts and hallucinations of schizophrenia sometimes lead to violent behavior, most people with schizophrenia are neither violent nor a danger to others.
People with schizophrenia can’t be helped.
While long-term treatment may be required, the outlook for schizophrenia is not hopeless. When treated properly, many people with schizophrenia are able to enjoy life and function within their families and communities.
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Treatment
Based on both Clinical Research and Experience
Antipsychotic Medication and their side effects
- Clozapine
- Risperidone and Olanzapine
- Haloperidol and chlorpromazine
- Olanzapine
- Quetiapine
- Risperidone
Support comes from families & friends, and agencies devoted to fighting the disease
Worries about the drugs – Some of the drugs have potentially dangerous side effects.
When patients aren’t treated correctly, negative or no effects can take place
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Basic Facts about Schizophrenia
In the U.S., approximately 2.2 million adults have schizophrenia (about 1% of pop.)
Rates of schizophrenia are very similar from country to country-about 1 percent of the population.
Schizophrenia ranks among the top 10 causes of disability in developed countries worldwide.
The risk of suicide is serious in people with schizophrenia.
Highly treatable (No cure, but psychotic medicines and psycho-social therapies generally cause a lot of success)
Very expensive disorder to treat
Begins in early adulthood; between the ages of 15 and 25 (women usually develop it slightly later; onset happens on average for men @ age 18, while for women @ age 25)
The earlier that schizophrenia is diagnosed and treated, the better the outcome of the person and the better the recovery
Anyone can be affected by schizophrenia, regardless of gender or race
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Symptoms & Recognition
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech
Disorganized/Catatonic behavior
Negative symptoms (decrease or loss of abilities or functions that existed in the individual before schizophrenia)
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Social withdrawal
Hostility or suspiciousness
Deterioration of personal hygiene
Flat, expressionless gaze
Inability to cry or express joy
Inappropriate laughter or crying
Depression
Oversleeping or insomnia
Odd or irrational statements
Forgetful; unable to concentrate
Extreme reaction to criticism
Strange use of words or way of speaking
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Environmental Influences on Schizophrenia
Prenatal influences (i.e. drugs)
Stress on life (i.e. social problems)
Personality traits (i.e. naturally not optimistic)
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Dopamine Imbalances
Dopamine imbalances possible cause of schizophrenia
Different theories towards influence of dopamine
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Definition of Schizophrenia
According to the Meriam-Webster Online dictionary:
Definition of SCHIZOPHRENIA
1
: a psychotic disorder characterized by loss of contact with the environment, by noticeable deterioration in the level of functioning in everyday life, and by disintegration of personality expressed as disorder of feeling, thought (as delusions), perception (as hallucinations), and behavior —called also dementia praecox — compare paranoid schizophrenia
2
: contradictory or antagonistic qualities or attitudes <both parties … have exhibited schizophrenia over the desired outcome — Elizabeth Drew>
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