Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia- A group of disorders characterized by loss of contact with reality, marked disturbances of thought and perception, and bizarre behavior. At some phase delusions or hallucinations almost always occur.

Schizophrenia is among the most debilitating and and complex of the psychoses. Approximately 1% of the world population is afflicted with this mental illness.

Types of Schizophrenia:

There are two types of schizophrenia accordingly enumerated Type I (Reactive or Acute Schizophrenia) and Type II (Process Schizophrenia) :

Reactive or Acute Schizophrenia

Reactive schizophrenia is usually sudden and seems to be a reaction to some life crisis. Since the premorbid history is usually good, when the disease does manifest itself, it is in the early phases. Reactive schizophrenia is a more treatable form of the illness than process or chronic schizophrenia.

Process Schizophrenia

Also reffered to as poor premorbid schizophrenia, this type is characterized by lengthy periods of its development with a gradual deterioration and exclusively negative symptoms. It doesn't seem to be related to any major life change or negative event. Usually this type of schizophrenia is associated with "loners" who are rejected by society, tend not to develop social skills and don't excel out of high school.

Symptoms:

Positive versus negative

Paranoid versus nonparanoid

Content of thoug

Form of thought

Relationship to the external world

Perception


Treatments for Schizophrenia:

Though there is no cure for schizophrenia, a wide variety of treatment options are available to sufferers with the disorder.

Antipsychotics

Antidepressants

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy of some type is highly recommended for people suffering from schizophrenia. By adding behavioral treatments for schizophrenia to a medical treatment regimen, the rate of relapse is further reduced, to only 25%. A variety of types of psychotherapy are available to schizophrenics. Cognitive therapy, psychoeducation, and family therapy can all help schizophrenics deal with their symptoms and learn to operate in society. Social skills training is of great importance, in order to teach the patient specific ways to manage themselves in social situations.