2. WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA?
• Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that has an effect on how a
person feels, behaves, and thinks.
• Brain disorder.
• Often confused with "Multiple PersonalityDisorder."
3. History of Schizophrenia
• Schizophrenia was actually first identified in 1887, butcan be traced back
to thousands of years ago, which means that it has been recurring
throughout history.
• Schizophrenia was coined in 1911 by the Swisspsychiatrist, Eugen
Bleuler.
• The word schizophrenia comes from Greek roots, schizo meaning split
and phrenia meaning mind, to describe the fragmented thinking of people
with the disorder.
4. EPIDEMIOLOGY:
• Affects 1% of the general population.
• 8% in siblings of affected subjects.
• 12% in offsprings of one affected parent.
• 40% in offsprings of two Affected parents.
• 47% in subjects of affected monozygotic twins.
5. CAUSES:
No one knows the exact causes of Schizophrenia, but multiple possible
factors have been discovered.
These factors include:
1. Genetics.
2. Brain chemical imbalance.
3. Environmental factors.
4. Family history.
6. 1. GENETICS:
• Defects in long arms of chromosomes 5,11and 18 and short arms of chromosome 19
and X chromosome.
• Increase the incidence of schizophrenia in subjects related to an affected person.
2. BRAIN CHEMICAL IMBALANCE:
• Abnormal production or reaction to the important chemical neurotransmitter
dopamine and maybe others.
• Dopamine is responsible in sending messages through the brain and effects how the
brain perceives things.
• Imbalance between dopamine and serotonin.
7. 3. ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
• Stress inducing environmental factors such as social pressure, physical or sexual
abuse, loss of loved ones, hormones, malnutrition,and early exposure to viruses.
• The major brain changes that occur during puberty has also been identified as a
possible contributing factor.
4. FAMILY HISTORY:
• If ones mother, father, brother or sister hasthe illness, statistics show a 10
percentchance of developing it.
• If ones twin, or both father and mother has the disorder then the probability of
developing it rises to 40 percent.
8. SYMPTOMS:
The symptoms of schizophrenia can be categorized into three wide-ranging groups.
1. Positive symptoms:
• Hallusinations
• Delusions
• Thought disorders
• Movement disorders
2.Negative symptoms:
• Loss of interest in everyday activities
• Loss of Motivations
• Social withdrawals
3.Cognitive symptoms:
• Problems of making sense of information
• Difficulty paying attention
• They can cause great imotional distress
9. TYPES:
1. Catatonic, Has atleast 2 of the following features:
immobility, excessive or purposeless motor activity,
Extreme negativisim, perculiarities of voluntary movement.
2. Paranoid-Preoccupation with 1 or more delusions or frequent auditory hallucinations;
cognitive function & affect remain mainly preserved.
3. Disorganized- Characterized by disorganized behaviour & speech.
4. Residual- A continued presence of negative symptoms. More commonly known as
Pronounced symptoms.
5. Undifferentiated- Doesn't have any of the characteristics of paranoid , disorganised or
catatonic schizophrenia.
10. DIAGNOSIS:
Two or more of the following must be present:
1) Hallucinations.
2) Delusions.
3) Disorganized behavior or catatonic'behaviour.
4) Disorganized speech.
5) Negative symptoms
• The symptoms must last at least for 6months.
11. Treatment:
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
There is currently no known cure for schizophrenia. Treatmentoptions include
psychotherapy as well as pharmacotherapy.
The goals and objectives of treatment are as follows:
A. Minimize symptoms of schizophrenia
B. Improve quality of life and social/occupational functioning
C. Prevent relapse and hospitalization
D. Minimize adverse effects of medications
E. Prevent suicide attempts or self-harm
12. TREATMENT:Schizophrenia requires lifelong treatment, even when
symptoms have subsided. Treatment with medications and psychosocial
therapy can help manage the condition. In some cases,hospitalization may
be needed.
• Medications:
First generation antipsychotics(Chlorpromazine,Haloperidol)
Second generation antipsychotics(Ziprzsidone,Lurasidone)
• Psychotheraphy: is the use of psychological methods, particularly when
based on regular personal interaction with adults, to help a person
change behavior and overcome problems in desired ways.
• Family therapy: This provides support and education to families dealing
with schizophrenia
