What Exactly Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a word that you may have heard before, or perhaps you've heard the shortened version of it: Schizoid. You may know the basic or shortened definition of the disorder, such as: "Hearing voices, acting irrationally, and being paranoid." There may be some truth to this definition that loosely gets thrown around, but schizophrenia is a complex mental illness that can interfere with a person's ability to think clearly, manage their emotions, make personal decisions, and even relate to other people around them. It can occur at any age, however, the onset tends to begin in the late teens or early-20s for men and late-20s or early-30s for women. A person younger than 12 or older that 40 rarely get diagnosed with schizophrenia. So, let's take a deep dive into what this mental illness is.

Symptoms

There are a wide range of symptoms for schizophrenia, some easier to diagnose than others. Diagnosing schizophrenia can be hard if the person is in their teens because of the wide range of symptoms and severity of the disorder, some key signs can be a change in friends, grades dropping, insomnia, and irritability. Now, you may be thinking this is common behavior for teenagers, and you are exactly right, this is why it is so hard to diagnose a younger person with schizophrenia unless they have severe and key symptoms. Factors like that can include the person isolating themselves and withdrawing from peers, a noticeable increase in suspicions or unusual thoughts, and a family history of psychosis. When a younger person develops schizophrenia, the stage is called the "prodromal" period. This simply means that the symptoms may not be very specific or severe, and the person can still perform everyday activites without being effected by the disorder too drastically.

With any mental illness, a medial evaluation should be in order to get the best and most accurate diagnosis. There are some key symptoms that should be present in order to give an accurate diagnosis of schizophrenia, they also should be present in the context of reduced functioning for six months or more. Let's go over these symptoms.

• Negative Symptoms: These are the symptoms that will diminish a person's abilities. They include being emotionally flat or speaking in a dull, disconnected manner, the person may not be able to start or follow through with activities, start to show little interest in life, or sustain relationships. Negative Symptoms often get misdiagnosed for clinical depression, which can be understandable, but risky for the person if they are misdiagnosed.
• Cognitive Issues: This can also be called disorganized thinking, people with these symptoms often struggle to remember things, have a hard time organizing their thoughts or completing tasks. It is common for a person with schizophrenia to have a lack of insight, this is simply put as the person being unaware they have the illness, this makes treating or working with the person a lot more difficult.
• Hallucinations: These are some of the most common symptoms that people hear about or explain schizophrenia to be. It can include hearing voices, seeing things, or smelling things that other people cannot perceive. The person experiencing these symptoms perceive them to be very real, this can be confusing for family members to witness and off putting to the ordinary person to witness if they ever do so. Sometimes hallucinations of voices can be threatening or critical. The voices heard may even represent people that are known to the person or unknown, this can be an obvious scary situation for the one struggling with the illness.
• Delusions: This area of symptoms are false beliefs that don't change, they stay the same even when the person who holds them are presented with new ideas or facts. A person who may have delusions may have confused thinking, problems concentrating, or they may sense their thoughts are blocked.

These are some of the main symptoms a person may struggle with, they can be scary, confusing, and difficult for them to handle. It in no way makes them a danger to society like some movies or television shows may perceive them out to be.

Causes

Schizophrenia may have several possible causes as research over time has suggested, however, it may never be known on what exactly schizophrenia is, but let's go over the causes research has brought to our attention:

• Brain Chemistry: If there are problems with certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters such as dopamine and glutamate, this may contribute to the development of schizophrenia. Neurotransmitters are very important to the brain, they allow the brain cells to communicate with each other.
• Genetics: The disorder cannot be caused by just one genetic variation, it is rather caused by a complex interplay of a person's genetics and environmental influences. Schizophrenia only occurs in 1% of the general population, but having a history of family psychosis can greatly increase the risk of developing it. Roughly 10 percent of people who have a first-degree relative with the disorder, such a one's parent or a sibling, can develop the disorder themselves. This risk goes up immensely when an identical twin is diagnosed with it, the unaffected twin as about a 50 percent chance of developing the illness themselves.
• Substance Abuse: Some research suggests that if someone in their teens or young adult years starts to take mind-altering drugs they can increase their risk of developing the disorder. There is a growing body of evidence that suggests that if one is to smoke marijuana it increases the risk of psychotic incidents and the risk of ongoing psychotic experiences However, let me quickly state that the research also found that smoking marijuana also led to earlier onset of the disorder and often preceded the manifestation of the disorder. (I am not saying any of this to try to sound as if I am against marijuana use, I am just simply passing on the information that researchers have put out there.)
• Environment: If a person is exposed to viruses or malnutrition before birth, particularly during the first and second trimesters, it can increase the chance of the disorder. Inflammation or autoimmune diseases can also lead to this.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing a person with schizophrenia is not an easy task, if a person is thought to have schizophrenia they may deny it and not believe they have it, this can be difficult for the doctor to work with. It all comes down to the lack of awareness, this is a common symptom for people with the disorder and it can greatly complicate the treatment.

There is really no single physical or test that can diagnosis a person with this mental illness, a health care provider has to evaluate the symptoms and the course of a person's illness over the course of six months to completely ensure a correct diagnosis. First they have to rule out other factors ranging from brain tumors, possible medical conditions, and other psychiatric diagnoses, which can range from bipolar disorder to depression.

For a person to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, they must have two or more of the symptoms occurring persistently in the context of reduced functioning: Delusions, disorganized speech, catatonic behavior, hallucinations, and negative symptoms. Hallucinations or delusions can alone be enough to lead a person to be diagnosed with the disorder.

The earlier a person is identified to have schizophrenia the more it can greatly improve the chance of a person being able to manage it, reduce their psychotic episodes, and even recovering. If a person receives good care during their first episode they are more than likely to be admitted to the hospital less often, and may even require less time to control symptoms than those who do not receive immediate help.

People describe their symptoms in a variety of ways, the way they describe their symptoms often depends on their cultural background. For example, African-Americans and Latinos are the most likely to be misdiagnosed, this is possibly due to the differing cultural or religious beliefs and even language barriers.

Treatment

As of now, there is no cure for schizophrenia, but it can be managed and treated in several different ways such as, Antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy ranging from cognitive behavioral therapy and assertive community treatment and supportive therapy, and self-management strategies and education.

There are a range of related conditions a person with schizophrenia may have, these include: substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder, major depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Successfully being able to treat schizophrenia almost always improves any related illnesses a person may have and the successful treatment of the related illness can usually improve the symptoms of schizophrenia.

So, how should I act around a person with Schizophrenia?

You've taken the first step already by reading this, you gave yourself some base knowledge on what schizophrenia is and what a person with is struggles with. One thing to remember is to be empathic, this will allow you to get a good grip on what the person may be dealing with. One of the most important things to do is to just speak to the person like you would anyone else, but don't get bothered by anything unusual that they may say, try to remember that the person may have hallucinations and they could be hearing voices you cannot perceive, this can make it difficult for them to understand you, so talk clearly, calmly and quietly as the person may be getting confused or frustrated from hearing voices, also try to remember that the voices may be saying hurtful things to them as you talk. Make sure to be aware that the person may have delusions, these can occur in four out of five people with schizophrenia, so don't rule them out when speaking to them. Try to engage with the person, don't act like they aren't there, even if they're having hallucinations or delusions, they will typically still have a sense on what is going on around them, and they can feel hurt by you if you talk to others like they are not in the room. If you need to talk to someone else about the person, try saying it in a way that one wouldn't mind hearing, or ask if you may speak to the other in private. One of the other important things you can do is talk to a family member or close friend of the person to see if there is anything you should take into account before engaging with them. Ask if there is any delusions or hallucinations in particular that you should be aware of or if there is any specific way that you should react in situations with them, and even ask if there are certain topics the person enjoys conversating about so you can get a comfortable situation going on for the person.

How should I help a person with Schizophrenia?

Now, perhaps you discover one of your close family members has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, or maybe a close friend, maybe even a neighbor, this can leave you with that question burning in you mind. Just keep in mind, the love and support of a family member or a friend plays one of the most important roles in the treatment of schizophrenia. Of course, learning someone close to you has this mental illness can be a scary thought, but you can make a huge difference by simply helping them find the right treatments and self-care, even helping them cope with symptoms, and build a fulfilling life. Don't ever think that if a loved one is diagnosed with schizophrenia that it is a life sentence and will tear down the chance of that person from ever achieving their goals. Recovery is possible, but sometimes they'll need that extra support.

If a loved one has schizophrenia, it can lead you struggling with an array of your own emotions, such as fear, guilt, anger, and frustration. You may feel helpless and like you're drowning in your loved one's symptoms, you may even become worried after staying up googling the stigma of schizophrenia, or maybe even confused or embarrassed by their strange behaviors, sometimes you may just want to hide their illness from others. But, if you want to help you'll need to learn to accept the illness and any difficulties that may come with it, this may be hard, but it is a great step into helping them with their illness. Remember not to buy into the myth that a person with the disorder cannot get better or live a full and meaningful life. Just try to do your best and help out your loved one to feel better and enjoy their life, but don't forget to pay attention to your own needs, mental and physical. More importantly, maintain your humor and look at the goods in life and remain hopeful.

Some important things to do is educate yourself in the treatment of schizophrenia and the disorder itself, make sure to keep yourself informed so you can make important decisions about the best way to cope with symptoms, handle any setbacks, encourage them to pursue self-help, and work towards their recovery. Make sure to reduce stress, this can cause symptoms to flare up, so create a structured and supportive environment for them so they can remain as stress free as possible. Don't set unrealistic expectations, it is important to be realistic about their challenges, so set and achieve manageable goals for them, and be patient with what pace they can go at. But one thing that may be most important, empower them. Don't take over and do everything for your loved one that they are capable of doing themselves. You can support them and still encourage as much independence as you can.

Here are some simple tips.

Take care of yourself.

Don't think that taking care of yourself is selfish, it's as important as caring for your loved one. Schizophrenia can cause an immense amount of stress on the family, it can take over your life and even start to make you feel like you're running on empty. If you're stressed, the loved one with schizophrenia can be triggered to be stressed themselves, this can cause a rise in symptoms for them. If you take care of yourself and exhibit that to the person, it can influence them to pursue the steps also.

Build a support network.

To be able to better support and care for one with schizophrenia it is important that you find help, understanding, and encouragement from others. The more support you feel you have, the better it is for you and your loved one. Make sure to recognize limits, don't feel as you have to provide everything for them, sometimes you cannot provide all the support and care they need, reach out to someone who can help. Look for support groups, meeting other people who know how it is first-hand can reduce any feelings of stress, isolation, and fear. They are also helpful if you need to hear experiences, share your own experiences, need advice, or any information.

Encourage any treatment and self-help.

Medication is of course an important element of schizophrenia, but their recovery also depends on other factors as well. Self-help ranges from having a healthy diet, managing any stress, simple exercise, and social support. These can have a huge impact on their symptoms, feelings and more importantly their self-esteem.

Medication - Monitor it!

Once a loved one has entered treatment, make sure to carefully monitor their medication usage. This can keep them on track and will help get the most out of it. Take any side effects seriously, many people who have schizophrenia will stop medication use because of any side effects. Make sure to bring any distressing side effects to the attention to the loved one's doctor, they may be able to reduce the dosage, switch to a new medication, or add on a medication to counter the side effect troubling your loved one. Encourage them to take their medication(s) regularly, even if the side effects are under control, they may refuse to take it or have trouble remembering when they need to take it, try making a calendar, purchase a weekly pillbox, or set timers to remind them. Sometimes medications are available that last longer, or monthly injections can be available. Avoid any drug interactions, make sure to give their doctor a completed and updated list of any and all medications and supplements they are taking. Don't allow them to mix alcohol or any illegal drugs with their medication as this can be harmful, so if your loved one has any substance abuse history or is currently struggling with it, mention it to their doctor.

Watch for relapse.

There are some common warning signs of relapse such as; Insomnia, confusing or nonsensical speech, hallucinations, social withdrawal, deterioration of person hygiene, hostility, strange disappearances, and increased paranoia. It is important that if you notice any of these warning signs or any other indications that the symptoms are worsening, get in contact with the doctor right away.

Be Prepared

Not everyone can prevent relapse, so there may be times when you are faced with your loved one's condition deteriorating rapidly and hospitalization is the best option to keep them safe. So make sure you prepare an emergency plan for any psychotic episode, this will help you keep them safe and help you handle the crisis safely and quickly. So, make sure you have any emergency contact information for your loved one's doctor and therapists in a place you remember it, either in your phone under a contact you can find immediately or on speed dial, or maybe written on a piece of paper on your fridge or in your wallet or purse, have the address and phone number of the hospital you wish to admit them to, and contact any friends or relatives who are ready and willing to take care of any children or dependents while you handle the crisis. It is also smart to go in depth with another family member what the emergency plan is, so in case they have to deal with an emergency it can be less frightening and stressful if they are prepared.

Housing

If for any reason you don't think that their home is a stable, supportive, and safe place for your loved on, explore housing options, this can be challenging not only for you but for the loved one as moving them can be stressful. Ask yourself some questions such as; Can they care for themselves, how much support do they require with their daily activities, is their a substance abuse problem they are dealing with, and how much treatment supervision may they require?

After looking in-depth on what you can do, you may decide to house them with family such as yourself, this can be a good option if you or a family member understands the illness well and can provide them with a strong support system, however, at-home arrangements can get difficult if they are struggling with substance abuse, or if they refuse to take their medication or they are aggressive and even uncooperative. So, living with family works out the best if they function at a fairly high level, they manage friendships, and can involve themselves in everyday activities outside of the home, they have a relaxed demeanor with the family members, and if the living situation does not negatively impact the live of any children who may be living with them. Living with family is not advised if the main support person is single, ill, or elderly, the illness is so severe that they cannot lead a normal family life, the situation causes any stress in the marriage or leaves any children feeling scared or resentful; of if most of the family events start to revolve around the person who is ill.

Don't be afraid to report a family member or friend with schizophrenic symptoms, it can help them more than you may think, also do not feel alone or fearful if you believe you may have the disorder yourself, there are plenty of resources to help you with your struggles and family members or friends who may be struggling with it

Schizophrenia Services and Support:

• US: Call 1-800-950-6264 or visit NAMI.org
• UK: Call 0300 5000 927 or visit Rethink: Schizophrenia
• Australia: Call 1800 18 7262 or visit Sane Australia
• Canada: Visit Schizophrenia Society of Canada, this site offers links to regional societies that offer helplines and local services

Other Helpful Resources:

• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) Hot-line: 800-662-HELP or (4357) 800-487-4889 for hearing impaired callers(TDD), Available 24 hours a day
• Crisis Intervention: Boys Town Crisis and Suicide Hotline - 800-448-3000 or 900-448-1833 (TDD) 24/7, Covenant House Hotline - 800-999-9999 24/7 for youth, teens, and families, provides help for parents regarding drugs, abuse, homelessness or runaways.
• 24 Hour Alcohol Abuse and Crisis Intervention: 800-234-0246
• Suicide: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - 800-273-TALK

Hopefully what I have written has provided you with more insight on what Schizophrenia is. I find this disorder quite interesting and thought provoking to study as with many other mental disorders, any tips are welcomed so I can do what I love and study mental disorders more in depth and write more articles for you to read and hopefully teach you something new. Thank you for reading, I look forward to writing something new soon.

Sources: Helpguide.org, Nami.org