2. definition
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it difficult
to tell the difference between real and unreal
experiences, to think logically, or have normal emotional
responses.
Schizophrenics do not know how to behave in normal
situations
3. causes
Schizophrenia is a complex illness that can be caused by
many different things.
Heredity
Complications at birth
Brain chemistry
4. who does it affect?
Schizophrenia affects only about 1% of all people
People at higher risks:
Males ages 15-24
Females ages 25-34
People with close relatives with the illness
people with birth complications
5. Signs & Symptoms
Develops slowly over months or even years
tenseness
trouble concentrating
trouble sleeping
acting isolated
delusions
hallucinations
disordered thinking
agitation
decreased sensitivity to pain
hearing imaginary voices
paranoia
No organs are affected by Schizophrenia.
6. Types & Health Risks
5 Types:
1. Paranoid type
hallucinations, delusions,
paranoia
2. Disorganized Type
disorganzied behavior &
speech, negative
symptoms, but fewer
hallucinations and
delusions.
3. Undifferentiated Type
mix of all psychotic
symptoms
4. Residual Type
lesser of all with the least
amount of psychotic
symptoms
Health Risks
It has been proved that
people suffering from
Schizophrenia are more
prone to developing:
type 2 diabetes
cardiovascular disease
pulmonary disease
other chronic health
problems
7. Treatment & Prevention
No surefire way to prevent
Immediate intervention could play major role
could reduce the extent of future psychotic symptoms
Successful treatment:
life-long drug regimen
psychological support therapy
*Sudden stopping of both treatments could quickly lead to
relapse of symptoms
