. Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world.
People with schizophrenia (the most chronic and disabling of the major mental illnesses) often have problems functioning in society, at work, at school, and in relationships. Schizophrenia can leave its sufferer frightened and withdrawn. It is a life-long disease that cannot be cured, but usually can be controlled with proper treatment.
Signs and Symptoms.
Following are the major signs and symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Altered perception of reality.
- hallucinations - visual or auditory, it means they may hear or see the things which do not exist.
- Speak in strange or confusing ways.
- Delusions --Believe that others are trying to harm them.
Delusions of persecution -- Belief that others, often a vague “they,” are out to get him or her. These persecutory delusions often involve bizarre ideas and plots (e.g. "My Wife is trying to poison me with radioactive particles delivered through my tap water”).
Delusions of reference -- A neutral environmental event is believed to have a special and personal meaning. For example, a person with schizophrenia might believe a billboard or a person on TV is sending a message meant specifically for them.
Delusions of grandeur --Belief that one is a famous or important figure, such as President or Primeminister. Alternately, delusions of grandeur may involve the belief that one has unusual powers that no one else has (e.g. the ability to fly).
Delusions of control -- Belief that one’s thoughts or actions are being controlled by outside, alien forces. Common delusions of control include thought broadcasting (“My private thoughts are being transmitted to others”), thought insertion (“Someone is planting thoughts in my head”) and thought withdrawal (“The CIA is robbing me of my thoughts.”).
- Feel that they are constantly watched.
- may withdraw from the outside world or act out in confusion and fear.
- Thinking of impairment. Unable to think
- Lack of interest
- Lack of personal hygiene.
In the early phase, schizophrenics often seem eccentric, unmotivated, emotionless, and reclusive. They isolate themselves, start neglecting the way they look, say peculiar things, and show a general indifference to life. They may stop hobbies and activities, and their performance at work or school becomes bad.
Causes:
- Genetic - schizophrenia has a strong genetic component. The children of schizophrenic parents have a 10 per cent chance of developing schizophrenia.
- Prenatal exposure to a viral infection
- Low oxygen levels during birth (from prolonged labour or premature birth)
- Exposure to a virus during infancy
- Early parental loss or separation
- Physical or sexual abuse in childhood
- Dopamine and glutamate imbalance in the brain.
- Abnormal brain structure.
Neuroleptic drugs are used as a treatment of schizophrenia. some drugs which are commonly prescribed are given below
Stelazine (Trifluoperazine)
Flupenthixol (Fluanxol)
Loxapine (Loxapac, Loxitane)
Perphenazine (Etrafon, Trilafon)
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
Haldol ( Haloperidol)
Prolixin (Fluphenazine Decanoate, Modecate, Permitil)
Care at home, HOME TREATMENT of schizophrenia
Support: Trust your family and friends.
- Your family will help you to choose the right drug, provide you with the right drug. trust your family.
- Social supports: find a chance to talk with the people suffering from the same condition as you.
- Education and Training.
- Learn about schizophrenia.
- Get the job of your interest. it will relax you.
- do regular exercise.
- Be aware of people's negative attitudes (stigma) toward schizophrenia. Do what you can to educate people about schizophrenia and recovery. Your health care team, family, and friends may be able to help you.
Q.No 2.
ReplyDeleteCont.
First of all, thank you for your reply. Here are some answers you need in order to evaluate how severe my husband's disease is.
My schizo. husband is working at least 10 hours nightly.
He has one son from his previous marriage, but we have none.
He sleeps very little for 2, 3 days until he has a relapse(?)then he stays in bed all day long for 2 days. It seems like he has a 5day cycle. And his cycle is getting 3 day shorter comparing with last year.
He think that I cheat on him anytime we are not together. At work, he don't want me to talk to any male. He gets crazy if I has a male-coworker, male supervisor, or just any man walk close to my machine
Yes, he did beat me about 5 times in the past 2 years. But when his hands touched me, he "woke up" and stopped right away. He knew at that moment that he was wrong. But just for a few seconds, he went back to his "dream" again.
He always thinks that other people and his family members are trying to fool him. When he lost his control, he criticize everybody about things they did wrong. He yelled, he hit his head in the wall hardly.
He started to have the disease more than 10 years ago after he caught his ex wife cheated on him.
He never let me have an opportunity to talk to his doctor to know clearly about his condition. I am the only one who know that he is schiz. Non of his family member knows. He hides it from everybody.
Also, he has a corn in his brain. The tumor is getting bigger. When he is very sick, they keep him night long in the hospital, and in the morning he gets home, his left ear still has blood coming out. I only know from him that the doctor tries to shoot the tumor stopping it from growing. He does not want to have surgery because the rate of success is only 1/3.
Is there any relation between having a tumor in his brain and being schizophrenic?
Please be more specific, and if you can give me some example of how to talk to him when he has a relapse.
Please !! Thank you