Schizophrenia
This condition is a complex one and difficult to describe fully.
It can limit a person's ability to go out and about and live a full life. It makes it difficult to have and keep friends to be motivated, to get out of bed and do things during the day.
People have hallucinations and delusions (see the Word Bank section for a description of these terms).
Many people however do live full lives despite the condition and people do not suffer from it all the time when they have it.
Schizophrenia is an impairment of social functioning, leading to difficulties in establishing and maintaining relationships, difficulties in caring for oneself and going about everyday life.
It is commonly associated with hallucinations, delusions, disorganisation (of thought), social withdrawal, apathy, poverty of speech, depression, anxiety and anger
The condition leads to a destruction of personality, and is potentially severe and debilitating, treatment is required a.s.a.p. once signs and symptoms occur.
Modern drug treatments can be very effective and (mostly) free of side effects. Those with schizophrenia need high levels of support from all those around them. Many people are able to live happy, normal lives despite having the condition.
It can occur as a 'one off' but 1% of the population live with a lifelong enduring illness. Schizophrenia usually emerges in late teens, early 20s in males and later in life in females.
Symptoms
- Loss of insight, others see the condition individual does not.
- Delusions, bizarre beliefs at odds with persons culture
- Hallucinations, sensory perception that appears real only to the individual
- Thought disorder, no logical progression, speech patterns erratic
- Negative symptoms are less obvious and present greater challenge, social withdrawal, apathy, no concentration.