Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by abnormalities in perceiving reality. It affects over 2 million people in the US and is thought to have genetic causes. Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, social withdrawal, and loss of emotions. While there is no cure currently, treatment involves medications and psychotherapy. Further research continues into potential cures and understanding the brain development factors involved in schizophrenia.

1. Schizophrenia Nick Romano Period 4

2. About Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by abnormalities in the perception of reality. The causes, though largely unknown, are thought to be genetically related. There are currently over 2 Million people in the US that suffer from schizophrenia.

3. Symptoms Delusions/Hallucinations Loss of appetite Social withdrawal Neologisms Suspiciousness Feeling of being controlled by outside sources Inability to express emotions Depression Trouble paying attention

4. History Schizophrenia was first diagnosed as a mental illness in 1887, but has been present in mankind for many centuries. The term schizophrenia was first coined in 1911 by a Swiss psychiatrist. Schizophrenia is Greek for “split-brain”, to describe the fragmented thinking of those suffering from the illness.

5. Treatment Schizophrenia is generally treated with a combination of drugs and psychotherapy. The medications usually consist of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and anti-anxiety drugs. Almost three-quarters of schizophrenia patients cease taking their drugs within a month of the prescription as a result of paranoia. For this reason psychotherapy is prescribed alongside medications.

6. Causes Although genes is the most accepted cause of schizophrenia, there are other causes that researches believe are prevalent in the causing of schizophrenia. Social influences often play a part in Schizophrenia development. Somebody with a social disadvantage such as poverty is more likely to develop the disorder. Substance abuse can also lead to the development of Schizophrenia.

7. Cure Although there is no present cure for Schizophrenia, science is optimistic that one is not far off. Some researchers insist that schizophrenia has no cure, that the best they can do is to simply treat symptoms, but new research suggests a cure will arise in the near future.

8. Brain Development

9. Paranoia I feel like everybody is out to get me and it is me against the world.

10. Hallucinations I keep hearing people talking to me, telling me to do bad things. I cant find them anywhere though…

11. Social Withdrawal I don’t feel like going out with my friends anymore. I just want to stay home alone.

12. Loss of Appetite I just don’t enjoy food as much as I used to. I’ve almost completely stopped eating.

13. Loss of Emotions I am beginning to find it difficult to express my emotions to others. I am no longer ever happy or sad.

14. Outside Manipulation Everybody is trying to control my life. They tell me what to do and expect me to blindly follow their orders. Its my life and they shouldn’t try to manipulate it.

15. Depression Lately I feel very depressed. I have nothing to look forward to and my outlook on life is largely negative.

16. Paying Attention I have been having trouble paying attention. I was on the phone yesterday and couldn’t keep track of the conversation I was having.