Bipolar Central
Devoted to Helping Those Living
with Bipolar Disorder

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disease. There is no specific cure that can erase the symptoms, forever. Symptoms are acute, and can be disabling, including psychotic episodes, and hallucinations. Proper treatment alleviates many symptoms, but those diagnosed with schizophrenia can expect symptoms to reoccur even with medication and other treatment. Extreme stress can exacerbate the illness.

Some schizophrenics may have periods of significant disability where they cannot work or function properly. The side effects of medication, and the difficulty in maintaining an appropriate medication balance, can also create problems. There is some evidence to support the idea that schizophrenia is hereditary, though it often skips a generation. There have been great strides in medical research, and there is cause for optimism. Though only one in five diagnosed schizophrenics will experience complete recovery, the diagnostic tests and treatments for schizophrenia are much improved, and patients and families can be comforted by the progress in these areas.

What are the symptoms?

The person suffering from schizophrenia is not usually the first one to notice the signs. Family members and friends often describe frightening changes in the behavior of the individual. The ‘acute’ phase of schizophrenia is characterized by the sudden onset of psychotic symptoms. The symptoms of schizophrenia can include some or all of the following.

• Delusions
• Incoherent speech, getting sidetracked
• Hearing internal voices
• Unusual or disorganized speech, thinking, or behavior
• Hallucinations
• Inability to separate reality from fantasy
• Withdrawal, lack of response to environment, catatonic behavior
• Paranoia - believing that other people are reading your mind, controlling your thoughts or behavior, or plotting to harm you

How is it diagnosed and treated?

As with many other disorders and diseases that affect the brain, mental function and emotional stability, it is important to rule out other illnesses before diagnosing schizophrenia. People can suffer extreme mental disturbances, even psychosis, because of undiagnosed medical conditions. Doctors will usually do a physical exam and blood tests, as well as urine samples to be sure that the exhibited symptoms are not coming from drug or alcohol abuse.

Brain imaging tests like CAT scan and MRI testing are often done to determine the organic health of the brain, and how well it is functioning. Schizophrenics can be confused with people who suffer from Bipolar Disorder, because both disorders often involve periods of extreme elation or depression. Doctors will sometimes diagnose schizophrenia based on one episode or symptom where one of the following symptoms is exhibited:

• Delusions
• Voices that others can’t hear that seem to be talking to the person
• Hallucinations
• Voices that others can’t hear that seem to be talking to each other

To date, science has not uncovered a way to prevent schizophrenia. But, early diagnosis and treatment can prevent or reduce relapse and hospitalization, and help schizophrenics to live a productive life. Antipsychotic medication can reduce psychotic symptoms and help the patient function. For patients with less severe symptoms, and for patients who have achieved control over psychotic symptoms, psychosocial therapy can be quite successful. This therapy focuses on improving the social function of the schizophrenic.

Other treatments can include:

• Social Rehabilitation
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Psychotherapy
• Medication
• Family Therapy
• Group therapy and self-help groups

Index of Articles

If you are in a crisis please call: 1-800-SUICIDE (784-2433) or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Search Bipolar Central

This Week's Bipolar News

Preexisting Bipolar Disorder Worsens Parkinson's Problems, Outcomes
parkinsonsnewstoday
Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder characterized by cyclic episodes of emotional highs (mania or hypomania) and lows (depression). Although the mechanisms ...

Air Pollution Linked to Severe Mental Illness - EcoWatch
ecowatch
Crucially, the findings indicate that growing up in polluted places increases the risk of mental disorders. Because many cities and developing nations are ..

Auburn man accused of leaving voicemail threatening Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan
seattletimes
He has been diagnosed with illnesses including schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder and has been arrested more than 70 times, resulting in ...

Click here for all Bipolar News.

Featured Article:

The Warning Signs Of An Impending Bipolar Disorder Manic Episode

Bipolar disorder - as the name implies - involves two distinct set of symptoms. One set throws the individual down into the depths of a massive depression. The other places the individual who suffers with bipolar disorder at the top of a peak manic episode.

Most everyone can eventually recognize the warning signs of an impending depressive episode related to bipolar disorder. More likely than not, individuals with bipolar disorder try very hard to avoid it.

However, for many individuals with bipolar disorder, it's more difficult to recognize the signs of an impending manic episode. After all, a manic episode of bipolar disorder can be mistaken in some cases - especially in the very early formation -- for the lifting of the corresponding mood swing of the depression.

Click here to read the entire article

Terms of Service | Privacy Policy

Copyright 2004- 2021 , BipolarCentral.com