KV Network

Knowing about Schizophrenia

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Ishrat Amin
Schizophrenia is a serious disorder in which people interpret realty abnormally. Schizophrenia may result in some combination of hallucinations, delusions and extremely disordered thinking and behaviour that impairs daily functioning and can be disabling.
People with schizophrenia require lifelong treatment. Early treatment may help get symptoms under control before serious complications develop and may help improve the long term outlook.
Symptoms of schizophrenia involves a range of problems with thinking (cognition) behaviour and empations, signs and symptoms may vary , but usually involve delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech and reflect an impaired ability to function.
Symptoms may include:
Delusions are the false beliefs that are not based in reality. For example, you think that you are being harmed or harassed.
Extremely disorganized or abnormal motor behaviour. This may show in a number of ways from childlike silliness to unpredictable on a goal so it’s hard to do task. Behavior can include resistance to instructions inappropriate or bizarre posture, a complete lack response, or useless and excessive movement.
Negative symptoms like reduced or lack of ability to function normally. For example the person may neglect personal hygiene of appear to lack emotion (does not change facial expressions or speaks in a mannered way). Also the person may lose interest in everyday activities, socially withdraw of lack the ability to experience pleasure.
Symptoms can vary in the type and severity over time; with periods of remission of symptoms some symptoms may always be present.
In men and women schizophrenia symptoms typically start in the early mid 20’s. It is almost diagnosed during the adolescence and early adulthood, approximately 1 in 100 people will experience schizophrenia in their life time.
Prevention is necessary to control schizophrenia
There is no sure way to prevent schizophrenia but sticking with the treatment plan can help prevent relapses or worsening of symptoms. In addition researchers hope that learning more about risk factors for schizophrenia may lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment.
Most patients with schizophrenia can be treated as outpatients if their symptoms are not severe. The patients with symptoms, or when there is danger of hurting themselves or others may require hospitalization.
Antipsychotic medications used to treat schizophrenia and psychotherapies can help the patients with schizophrenia who is already stabilized with antipsychotic medication. Various psychotherapies can help solving behavioural, psychological, social and occupational problems associated with illness.
(The author is pursuing graduation at Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology)


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