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What
is Schizophrenia?
APA Let's Talk About... Series
Schizophrenia is a persistent and serious mental disorder
characterized by dramatic changes in behavior and thinking
that may include delusions and hallucinations. People with
schizophrenia often have psychotic symptoms, which means they
are unable to distinguish what is real from their unreal thoughts
and perceptions.
Sometimes, people with schizophrenia will have periods of
time when the illness is worse and when the hallucinations
and strange behavior are most obvious. At other times, they
will have few noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses
over a long period of time, however, the personality and behavior
of someone with schizophrenia may seem very different from
what these were like before the illness began.
Because of these changes, many people misunderstand schizophrenia.
It is not "multiple personality disorder" or "mental
retardation." Instead, schizophrenia is a severe mental
illness that changes the way the brain functions.
WHAT
ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA?
The
signs and symptoms of schizophrenia include:
- Delusions
(false or unreal beliefs)
- Hallucinations
(hearing, seeing, smelling, tasting or feeling something
that is not really there)
- Disorganized
speech and/or speaking less
- Bizarre
behavior
- Blunted
or dulled emotions
- Withdrawing
emotionally from people
- A
loss of interest in school or work
- Difficulty
paying attention
- Lack
of energy and motivation
- Thoughts
of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
- Outbursts
of anger
- Poor
hygiene and grooming
Not all of these symptoms are present at the same time. For
example, someone with schizophrenia may seem quiet and withdrawn
for a period of time and then agitated or highly emotional.
The symptoms, severity, and course of schizophrenia can vary
from person to person.
HOW
IS SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATED?
Schizophrenia is a serious and persistent mental illness.
Without treatment, people with schizophrenia may have great
trouble functioning and they may consider or attempt suicide.
However, schizophrenia can be treated with medication, psychotherapy,
and rehabilitation. Treatment always should include seeing
a psychiatrist.
Some medications, called antipsychotic medications,
help control many of the symptoms of schizophrenia, including
the problems in thinking. It is very important for people
with schizophrenia to follow their treatment plans and for
their families to encourage them to do so.
Psychotherapy is a series of private talks with a psychiatrist
in which a person discusses the feelings, thoughts, and behavior
that cause difficulty. A psychiatrist also can recognize other
mental and medical problems. The goal of psychotherapy is
to help people understand and master their problems so they
can function better. During psychotherapy, the psychiatrist
also can help the person with schizophrenia reduce the stressful
situations that can make the illness worse. Families of people
with schizophrenia also can benefit from educational and supportive
counseling sessions.
Rehabilitation, or skill building, is often provided
through support groups or day programs. The goal of rehabilitation
is to help people with schizophrenia improve skills that may
have suffered since the illness, such as personal care, relationships
with other people, and work skills and habits.
Some people with schizophrenia cannot live on their own. For
these people, group or cooperative housing and good medical
and psychiatric care can help them lead satisfying and more
productive lives.
FIND
MORE INFORMATION…
©
Copyright 2001 Medem™, Inc. and the American Psychiatric
Association
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