Schizophrenia is a poorly understood, complex psychological disorder characterized by hallucinations. Nobody knows for sure why people struggle with schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is a psychological disorder or mental illness that involves auditory hallucinations, severely disturbed moods, thoughts, and behaviors.
Researchers aren't certain exactly what causes schizophrenia. Many people with schizophrenia have lost touch with reality and can't distinguish fact from fantasy.
The progression of schizophrenia is different for everyone: some people with schizophrenia experience only one psychotic episode and go on to live a normal life. Others never function independently and always struggle with auditory or visual hallucinations. Still others with schizophrenia experience occasional episodes of psychotic irregularity during their otherwise normal lives.
People with schizophrenia believe their hallucinations are real – and that the rest of the world is bizarre. This makes it difficult to communicate with them, or even attempt to help. Schizophrenia is very different from split personality, multiple personality, or dissociative identity disorder.
Who Gets Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia may be genetically caused. A biochemical abnormality such as an enzyme defect or neurological deficit could be at the root of schizophrenia. However, one individual of a pair of identical twins could struggle with schizophrenia while the other one may not, leading researchers to believe that environmental factors play a role in who gets schizophrenia.
Relatives of people with schizophrenia have a higher than average chance of experiencing it themselves. According to The Harvard Guide to Women's Health, a child with a schizophrenic parent has a 1 in 10 chance of developing it, as opposed to a 1 in 100 chance in the general population.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Odd or slightly bizarre behaviors are common at the beginnign of the psychological disorder schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia experience changes in thinking, talking, and behaving are likely – as is social isolation or withdrawal. People with schizophrenia also experience feelings of anxiety and confusion, as well as distorted perceptions of reality or hallucinations. Severe episodes could involve rigid, frozen behavior (sitting or standing completely still for hours at a time) or jumpy nervous actions (pacing, rocking back and forth constantly).
Other symptoms of schizophrenia include:
Hearing voices (auditory hallucinations)
Delusions of persecution (paranoia)
Illogical thinking
Decreased emotional expressions
Inconsistent thoughts and actions (eg, laughing while describing the hatred of everyone)
Dangerous behaviors and feelings of invincibility
Treating Schizophrenia
It's increasingly possible for people with schizophrenia to lead "normal" lives, because of the development of many new medications and treatments. Since schizophrenia isn't a single condition (it takes a variety of forms), treating schizophrenia revolve around reducing symptoms and minimizing the chances of relapse.
There's no cure, so treating schizophrenia with medications or other therapy usually continues for life.
Treating schizophrenia includes antipsychotic medications, lobotomies, and psychosocial treatments. The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) offers resources, support groups, and information for people with schizophrenia and their family members.
Related Resources
If you found What is and Who Gets Schizophrenia? helpful, try:
The copyright of the article What Is and Who Gets Schizophrenia? in Clinical Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish What Is and Who Gets Schizophrenia? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
This was very helpful, I am very interested in Pychology and Schizophrenia
is one the most interesting disorders in my opinion.
Dec 26, 2008 7:43 AM
Guest
:
Schizophrenia is very dengerous to patiant as well as others.
Jan 15, 2009 11:05 AM
Guest
:
How do you deal with someone who you suspect has Schizophrenia, but will
not seek help because they don't want others to think they're crazy?
Jan 17, 2009 6:36 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
That's a tough situation! If you think someone has schizophrenia, but he
(or she) refuses to admit that he needs help or doesn't want anyone to
think he's "crazy", then there's not too much you can do.
One possibility is introducing your friend to someone else who is
successfully living with schizophrenia. This sounds difficult, but it's
possible........there are many healthy, happy individuals who have
schizophrenia and who are willing to talk about their experiences and how
they're coping.
I'd suggest calling a distress line or
counseling office in your city. They may know of schizophrenia support
groups, who may be able to put you in touch with someone with
schizophrenia.
The distress line will also help you figure out
if there's anything you can do to help your friend. Sometimes,
unfortunately, there's nothing you can do. If someone refuses help or can't
admit they need it - or is embarrassed to be labeled
"schizophrenic" (which is very understandable) -- then you might
have to step back and let it unfold naturally. That is, it may have to get
worse before your friend realizes how much help he really needs.
Sorry I don't have all the answers - but I encourage you to call a
support line for ideas about the schizophrenia resources in your
community.
Laurie
Jan 22, 2009 7:19 PM
Guest
:
Lauri, Thanks so much for your help. We've always known something
wasn't right with my aunt since the mid 70's and it has gotten worse over
the years. She was admitted and diagnosed as Schizophrenic, but escaped
from the hospital saying they were all crazy, not her. She constantly
complains she is sick or has had a heart attack, but refuses to get help.
When I do take her to get help, she second guesses the doctors and says
they don't know what they're doing. She hasn't worked in 10yrs and brings
up things from 20 to 30yrs ago that she can't let go. She's basically a
socially, non-functional individual living at home with mom at the age of
55. Her health is deteriorating since she eats very little and smokes 2
packs a day. This is so frustrating, because she has enough mental
capacity to understand she needs help, but doesn't want to believe what she
hears. In addition, she has enough mental capacity to act normal when she
goes to get help. She's her own worse enemy as far as getting any help to
rectify the problem. I'll try calling the local Chicago area offices to
see if I can get her some help. If I don't, she'll make me crazy with all
the calls that end up in circular conversations. There is absolutely no
reasoning with her, because the reasoning in her brain seems as if it is
broken. If she could get some help, someone in your profession would learn
a tremendous amount from her case. Regards, Dave
Feb 17, 2009 1:02 PM
Guest
:
schizophrenia is horrible i see my dead brother allie on a regular bases
Apr 7, 2009 8:02 AM
Guest
:
Can this disorder become noticeable at any age or do most people with it
show signs at a particular age?
Apr 7, 2009 8:45 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
According to my psychology textbook, the signs of schizophrenia are more
likely to appear around ages 18-24.
However, people can start
struggling with symptoms of schizophrenia at any age...it's just more
likely to occur in late teens or early adulthood.
May 22, 2009 3:34 AM
Guest
:
I have just turned 18 and i have moved out of my parents house and went to
another city to start college this year. I always feared irrational things
like ghosts and deamons but i totally forgot abt it while working this year
but by the end of it i started seeing things and people hearing voices and
whispers and sometimes things moving in the kitchen when i see people with
me in the appartment it always seems surreal.. I have told some of my
friends and my parents and they all thought i was being paranoid and this
is a result of my stess but i know i felt like i saw something n i felt its
presence so i thought it might be something psychological and by typing the
symptoms schizophrenia fits best! but i am not losing my mind im studying
engineering and im doing great.. so am i schizophrenic?? and if i were wht
can i do to reduce this endless fear?
May 22, 2009 6:35 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
If these symptoms of schizophrenia fit your experience, then you should go
see a doctor as soon as possible. Your university or college will probably
have a clinic -- or you can see your family doctor. Be as clear and honest
as possible about your symptoms, so you can get the best help possible!
Often, symptoms of schizophrenia are a result of faulty brain
chemical interaction, which may mean that treatment involves re-balancing
them. This could mean medications -- many people with schizophrenia take
meds daily, weekly, or monthly and feel great! Their symptoms go away.
Your first step is to see the doctor nearest you. The second step
is to possibly see a specialist, such as a psychiatrist. The third step is
to try his/her treatment options, until you find what works!
Go
see a doc, and let me know what he/she says!
All best, Laurie
May 25, 2009 3:51 PM
Guest
:
I found this article very useful. I think my friend has schizophrenia but
she says her doctor said she has psycological depression. She has visual
and auditory hallucinations. I've tried telling her that she should get a
second opinion but she thinks that no one understands her. She thinks that
a ghost is trying to kill her and she thinks her parents are her enemies as
well.she comes to me with her problems and gets very upset when I tell her
that there is no such thing as ghosts.I'm afraid that she will never get
better since she doesn't realize her problem.what should I do?
May 26, 2009 9:55 AM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
She's lucky to have you as a friend! I think you're right: she seems to
have more symptoms of schizophrenia than depression.
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do -- other than encourage her to
get a second opinion from a different doctor. Another option is to talk to
her parents. Are they aware of how she feels? It's important that they know
what's going on, before things get worse.
A third option is to
call your local distress line or community help center, and ask if there
are any resources for people coping with schizophrenia in your area. They
may also have advice on helping your friend.
Helping people with
schizophrenia can be extremely difficult, because they're not totally
rational or realistic! They may not think they need help, or they can't
accept it for reasons of their own. People with schizophrenia believe their
reality is the right one, and it's hard to convince them otherwise. That's
one reason why so many homeless people stay on the streets.
Good
luck with your friend - and if you do find an effective way to help her,
please share it here!
All best, Laurie
Jun 1, 2009 10:05 AM
Guest
:
lauri, ianted to know that out of all the symptoms are there any that
we could say are the prime symptoms like Hearing voices (auditory
hallucinations) Delusions of persecution (paranoia).....can a patient still
have schizophrenia even if they don't show some symptoms but some of the
others??????????????
Jun 1, 2009 1:57 PM
Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen :
Yes, someone could have schizophrenia and not show all the symptoms or
signs. Plus, there are different levels or severities of schizophrenia,
which means that some people could have very mild signs.
And,
the signs of schizophrenia can come and go, depending on things like
external stressors, medications for different conditions, alcohol or drug
abuse, and so on.
The best way to diagnose and treat
schizophrenia is to see a doctor or psychiatrist. I've recently learned
that people with bipolar or manic depression can hear voices, which was a
surprise to me! So, getting a proper diagnosis from an expert is crucial
to getting the right treatment.
Thanks for your question about
schizophrenia - it was a good one! Laurie
Mar 14, 2007
