Schizophrenia (SZ) is a long-term mental health condition that causes a wide range of psychological symptoms. The condition can develop slowly and be difficult to spot as they commonly develop during the teenage years. This means that some of the symptoms such as a change in sleeping patterns or being socially withdrawn can be put down as typical changes that you would expect for someone going through their teenage life.
Symptoms
The symptoms of SZ are separated into two groups: positive and negative symptoms. At first glance it may seem odd that they are grouped this way but it does not mean that they are good or bad. They are called positive symptoms because they are behaviors which the condition adds to your life. This includes, a person who can hear or see something that others cannot. As for the negative symptoms, they refer to behavior or experiences that this condition removes from a person’s life.
Positive symptoms
Positive symptoms refer to any changes in behavior that are displayed by an individual such as delusions and hallucinations.
A hallucination is where a person hears, sees, smells, feels or tastes something that is only in their mind and does not exist out of it. The most common form of hallucination is when someone hears voices in their head. Despite the fact that people in the vicinity will not have these sensations they will feel very real to the person who is experiencing them.
Delusion is where a person will hold firm beliefs about a subject that is based on a false view. As an example, a person who is having a paranoid delusion may believe that they are being targeted by a friend or loved one who is watching them.
Negative symptoms
Negative symptoms are described as a person’s withdrawal from society such as having no interest in social interactions and appearing almost robotic in their emotions. These can appear in an individual long before they have their first schizophrenic episode. This period is known as the pronominal phase. In this case, the symptoms will begin slowly and worsen over time. Some of these symptoms include:
- Social withdrawal, spending most of the time at home
- Losing motivation and interest in daily activities
- Changing sleeping patterns
- Lack of concentration
Causes
The exact cause of SZ at this moment is not known. However, research leads us to suggest that the chances of developing this condition is due to a combination of factors such as brain chemistry, genetics and environmental factors.
Genetics
The impact of genetics on the development of SZ have shown that if someone has a family member with the condition there is an increased chance of them developing it.
Brain chemistry
It is believed that one of the factors that increases the chances of someone developing schizophrenia is an imbalance of certain chemicals in the brain called neurotransmitters. This is because the anti psychotics that are prescribed to treat SZ work by lowering dopamine levels.
There are also some people who are more prone to developing SZ. For these people, emotional or life-changing events can trigger its development. This includes:
- Losing someone important to you
- Divorce
- Emotional, physical or sexual abuse
- Being fired from your job
- Losing your home
Diagnosis
If a person is worried that they may be developing symptoms of SZ they should see a GP as soon as possible. At this appointment they will ask questions about things like the symptoms that are being experienced. They will also check to see if they are being caused by the use of recreational drugs. In the event that the GP believes they are symptomatic of SZ there will be a referral to a local community mental health team (CMHT). This team consists of specialists in mental health who can provide a thorough assessment, support and treatment plans.
Difficulty with diagnosis
When going through the assessment it can prove to be a difficult process. This is because there are several other conditions that have some of the same symptoms as SZ. These conditions include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder and some personality disorders. This means that the specialists may have a difficult decision on what diagnosis best describes that specific person’s experiences.
Treatment
For the treatment of SZ an individual will be given a plan that is tailored to their choice and needs. This would mainly consist of both medicine and talking therapy. As stated above the majority of people will be treated by their local CMHT.
An anti psychotic can be given to those with SZ to help reduce their symptoms. This may take days or sometimes weeks to start working. Also, it is important to note that as with any medication there are side-effects like trembling, muscle spasms and twitches. Therefore, it is vital that when it comes to selecting the right one there should be a discussion on if the benefits outweigh the side-effects.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a form of talking therapy that works by helping someone identify patterns in their thinking that is causing unwanted behaviors. These are addressed by being taught ways to change these thoughts with some that are more realistic and less damaging. As an example, a person can be taught to recognize delusional thoughts and with help find ways to not act on them.
A hugely beneficial form of therapy can be one that includes the family. This is because for those with SZ they will be reliant on their family for support and care. Although they will want to help and be happy to do so, they may not know how to help in the best way. These sessions can help them to find ways to support someone and offer solutions on fixing problems caused by their symptoms.
Living with schizophrenia
Living with a long-term mental health condition can be difficult but with the right treatment and support the impact that it has on your life can be managed. In addition to this, there are steps that can be taken to look after yourself. This includes:
- Warning signs – if you are starting to become unwell there may be signs that will precede it, this includes feeling stressed, struggle sleeping or hearing quiet voices
- Physical health – if you are getting enough sleep, it will help you feel less stressed and calmer. A well-balanced diet and eating regularly can help to avoid psychosis being triggered by changes in blood sugar levels.
- Stress – spend more time outside or start exercising to help improve mood through the release of endorphins
- Relationships – the feeling of being alone can make your symptoms a lot worse, so it is important to maintain strong bonds with friends and family
