|
A
schizophrenic is one who suffers a condition called schizophrenia.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is
a severe emotional disorder of psychotic depth,
characteristically marked by a retreat from reality with
delusion formation, hallucinations, emotional disharmony and
regressive behavior. It has been found to be the single largest
cause of admissions to mental hospitals. Scientists have been
unable to pinpoint a specific cause for the condition that
crosses all barriers and affects people from all strata of
society. They have estimated that four persons out of every five
hundred stand a lifetime risk of developing the condition.
There
are different types of schizophrenia. Some common symptoms of all types of
schizophrenia are hallucinations, delusions, blunted emotions, disordered
thinking and withdrawal from reality. Depending upon the symptoms, the kind
of schizophrenia that a person is experiencing is identified. Among the
schizophrenics, studies have shown that about one-third of them recover
completely, one-third have recurring episodes and the last one-third usually
develop chronic schizophrenia. |
|
|
The
four types
There
are four broad different classifications of schizophrenia.
The first is the undifferentiated type or the simple type,
wherein the patient experiences a gradual reduction of interest in things
happening around him and in his relations with people. He lacks emotional
depth and he will be wont to exercise his mental faculties less and less.
Rather than think, he would prefer simpler or stereotyped behavior. The
second is the hebephrenic schizophrenic who has shallow and
inappropriate emotions. He frequently suffers delusions and hallucinations
(that is, false beliefs and false perceptions) and his behavior is bizarre.
The third is the catatonic type, which is characterized by striking motor
behavior. He may swing between moods of excessive activity (impulsive
actions, excitement, and aggression) and near complete immobility, staying
put like a statue. Other symptoms of this type include inability to talk or mutism, extreme compliance and a conspicuous absence of almost all voluntary
actions. The last type of schizophrenic is the paranoid type,
characterized by delusions of persecution and grandeur. His thinking is
often illogical and unrealistic. He
also suffers hallucinations. A patient classified as one type may display
symptoms of the other groups or he may have symptoms of other mental
disorders such as depression or mania.
As
we have seen, hallucination is a very common symptom. The most common kind
of hallucination is auditory. The patient hears non-existent sounds and
believes they are real. Loosening in the thought process is another common
symptom. Schizophrenics have incoherent thinking or illogical trains of
thought and their speech then is unclear and incomprehensible.
Cause
Researchers have worked out several theories basing their studies on
anatomical, biochemical, psychological, social, genetic and environmental
causes. However, they have been unable to identify a single proven cause. It
is clear, however, that there is a genetic predisposition to the disease.
Children of schizophrenic parents stand a greatly increased chance of
becoming schizophrenic.
Onset
and treatment
Stressful life experiences may trigger the disease's initial onset. The
symptoms usually begin to manifest themselves during a patient’s teen
years or in his early adult life. A person may have one single episode and
never have any more, or he may suffer recurring episodes, or he may
deteriorate to becoming a chronic schizophrenic and may have to be
hospitalized. Treatment for schizophrenia involves medication, counseling
(both patients and family) and other therapies like Electro-Convulsive
Therapy and Nutritional Treatment.
|
