Knowledge of Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders:

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders are defined by abnormalities in one or more of the following five areas:
• Hallucinations
• Delusions,
• Disorganized thinking (speech),
• Grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior (including catatonia) and
• Negative symptoms.

Schizophrenia

  • Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. The disorder is complex and can manifest through various symptoms; one of the most common symptoms is hallucinations.

Symptoms of schizophrenia:

Hallucinations are false perceptions of hearing, seeing, and testing of things that are not there.

Three main hallucinations.

  • Auditory hallucinations (hearing) involve hearing voices others cannot hear, which may comment on the person’s behavior, provide instructions, or converse with one another.
  • Visual Hallucinations (Seeing) involve seeing images of things that do not exist outside the individual’s mind. People might see shapes, figures, or complete environments that aren’t there.
  • Tactile Hallucinations (Feeling Things) involve physical sensations on or beneath the skin, such as the feeling of insects crawling or being touched by someone not present.

Delusions:

Believing in things that are not true.

Disorganized speech or thinking:

This involves difficulty organizing one’s thoughts, making communication difficult.

Disorganized behavior or catatonic behavior:

  • This involves difficulty with coordination, agitation, catatonia behavior

Negative symptoms:

  • Diminished emotional expression or avolition, lack of motivation, flat affect, and social withdrawal.

Types of Schizophrenia:

Paranoid schizophrenia:

This mainly involves hallucinations and delusions. Paranoia occurs when a person feels distrustful and suspicious of others, often leading the person to experience increased feelings of suspicion or fear.

Disorganized schizophrenia:

  • This category is characterized by disorganized thinking and behavior, which can manifest in incoherent speech and erratic actions.

Catatonic schizophrenia:

  • This is a situation where the person has a significant reduction in voluntary movement, that is there are significant motor disturbances, including immobility, rigidity, or excessive movement.

Undifferentiated schizophrenia:

  • This is a diagnosis given when all the other ranges of symptoms do not neatly fit into the other established types of schizophrenia listed.

Residual schizophrenia:

  • Individuals may experience symptoms that are not intense enough to fulfill the criteria for a full diagnosis.

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Genetics: A family history of schizophrenia increases risk.
  • Brain chemistry: Imbalance of neurotransmitters.
  • Environmental factors: Stress, trauma, or viral infections during critical periods of development.
  • Substance abuse: This involves using drugs or alcohol can trigger schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals.

Delusion:

Delusions are fixed beliefs that are not based on reality despite evidence to the contrary. Individuals experiencing delusions often maintain these beliefs despite clear facts that contradict them.

Types of delusions:

Persecutory Delusions

Referential paranoia

Somatic Delusions

Religious Delusions

Grandiose Delusions

Persecutory Delusions

Individuals have false beliefs that they are subjected to or targeted for harm or harassment by others, often attributing malevolent intentions to various people or situations. This can manifest as believing they are being followed, plotted, or conspired against.

Referential Paranoia

Involves the belief that normal events, objects, or remarks are made to send personal messages or significance to them. For instance, a person might interpret news broadcasts, conversations, or even common interactions as directly relevant to their own life.

Somatic Delusions

Individuals suffering from somatic delusions have false beliefs related to their physical health or bodily functions. They may believe they have a serious medical condition or that their bodily sensations are indicative of a significant illness despite medical evidence to the contrary.

Religious Delusions:

These delusions involve strong convictions linked to religious beliefs, including being chosen by a divine entity or having a unique ability to communicate with a higher power.

Grandiose Delusions:

Individuals with grandiose delusions have inaccurate beliefs or an exaggerated sense of self-importance. They believe they have exceptional power, talents, wealth, or influence. They may believe they are famous or have powers beyond those of ordinary individuals.

How to treat and manage Symptoms of Schizophrenia:

For managing schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, the most effective intervention is medication and psychotherapy or a combination. Guidelines depend on severity, age, comorbidities, and individual needs.

Medication Management:

  • Medications, especially antipsychotic medications, can be helpful to reduce or stop symptoms and prevent exacerbations.
  • Different medications are used depending on the individual’s symptoms, the severity of the disorder, and any co-existing health conditions, as each class of drugs works uniquely to relieve or prevent symptoms.

Psychotherapy:

Psychotherapy may also be helpful, especially Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on recognizing and challenging negative thinking patterns and provides strategies for positive reactions.

Prevent, manage, and live life with Bipolar.

  • Focusing on education and understanding your family’s medical history.
  • Early recognition through screening is crucial to getting help promptly.
  • It’s important to monitor and report any symptoms, including suicidal thoughts.
  • Keeping a log or journal can help you recognize triggers.
  • Early intervention and starting treatment are key steps.
  • Join support groups to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and ensure you have a strong support network.
  • Connecting with those who have experienced similar challenges can provide valuable support.

Lifestyle changes:

  • Establishing daily routines
  • Maintaining a healthy diet
  • Regular exercise
  • Good sleep hygiene
  • Learn stress management techniques, along with relaxation activities.

These can also benefit overall well-being.

In Case of Emergency

  • For suicidal ideation or any danger to self or others, call 911

OR

  • go to the nearest hospital ER for help.

Resources:

  • Call National Alliance on Mental Illness.
  • Call NAMI Helpline at 1800 950 NAMI (6264) In Crisis 988 (24/7) or info@nami.org

https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/mental-health-conditions/schizophrenia/#

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

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