Schizophrenia Explained: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes & More
What Exactly is Schizophrenia?
The term itself can be confusing; schizophrenia is both a disorder in itself and a term used to describe a spectrum of disorders (the schizophrenia spectrum) of which schizophrenia is the most severe variation. This disorder affects roughly 1% of the American population. The average age of onset is usually between late teens to late twenties.
Schizophrenia affects the way people think, act, and express emotion, perceive reality, and interact with others. When people first develop symptoms, it can be very concerning for them and those around them. Psychosis is a large part of schizophrenia and causes the stereotypical hallucinations, “voices,” and false beliefs.
Due to the complexity of these symptoms, it is crucial that qualified professionals like psychiatrists or nurses who have completed one of the requisite psych NP programs online provide care for those struggling with the following symptoms.
Classifying Schizophrenia
In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), the initial diagnostic criteria describe “two or more of the following symptoms present for a significant portion of time during a 1-month period:”
- Delusion
- Hallucinations
- Disorganised speech
- Catatonic behavior
- Negative symptoms (i.e., diminished emotional expression or avolition)
At least one of these symptoms must be 1,2, or 3.
The following criteria talk about B) a drop in the level of functioning in a motor area, like work, self-care, relationships, etc. C) Continuous signs of disturbance for at least 6 months. D) ruling out depression, bipolar, and schizoaffective disorder. E) The disturbance is not attributed to a drug.
Main Symptoms
In psychiatry, symptoms are split into positive and negative, which is a little confusing because “negative” means a loss of normal function, while positive refers to added thoughts or actions like hallucinations, delusions, or catatonic behaviour.
- Hallucinations
Essentially, any sensation that is not real, with the most common being auditory hallucinations or “voices”. As you can imagine, suddenly hearing voices in your head is extremely concerning, especially when the majority of the voices that schizophrenics hear are not constructive.
The most concerning types of voices are referred to as “command hallucinations,” which instruct their victim to act in specific ways, which can be dangerous to themselves or others
- Delsuions
The DSM-5 defines delusions as false beliefs about yourself or the world around you that are held with an unwavering commitment despite proof they’re incorrect. In schizophrenia, these delusions often take the form of persecutory delusions, or the belief that others intend to cause you harm.
- Disorganised Speech
A distinct way of thinking and speaking is common, where people ramble, talk in disconnected run-on sentences, speak very quickly, become sidetracked, or vary their tempo. Disorganised speech can be caused by bipolar disorder, other psychotic disorders, depression, drug abuse, and a whole host of other issues. Hence why it is so important for an experienced professional to evaluate the symptoms and come to a conclusion.
Please note the symptoms vary greatly among people and are incredibly complex to understand; these examples are a massive simplification of, arguably, one of the most complex mental health disorders out there.
Phases of Schizophrenia
Like similar disorders (bipolar), schizophrenia can come in episodes; these episodes are distinguished into three distinct phases:
Phase 1
The first phase, or prodromal phase, is typically when schizophrenia is first noticed by friends and family, who see their loved one withdraw, talk about certain topics like the government or religion, and obsessively. These behaviours can be subtle, hence why they are generally only noticed by people close to you. The prodromal period is essentially a period of change before more serious symptoms emerge.
Phase 2
After the prodrome comes the acute stage, or “psychotic break,” where people begin to act in alarming ways that shock or scare their family.
Phase 3
The residual phase or recovery period happens after the main episode has passed. In many ways, it is similar to the first phase; symptoms mellow, problems are less apparent, and the individual can hopefully resume functioning as they did before the episode.
Genetics and Environment
While the exact cause is unknown, family history is a large factor in developing schizophrenia, with research varying on exactly how strong the risk is, but all agreeing that having relatives, especially of the first degree, with schizophrenia increases your risk significantly.
Research on the causes of schizophrenia is a big field, with a recent study highlighting how the interaction between host genotype, microbial infection, and chronic stress may cause schizophrenia. Another study linked specific genetic mutations during development to increased risk, which aligns with the disorder’s usual onset in late adolescence.
Living With Schizophrenia
Most people who struggle with schizophrenia do make a good recovery, as long as they have access to proper treatment, like medication and therapy. Early intervention is key to managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Support from family, friends, and mental health professionals helps people navigate the complex challenges, reduce stigma, and lead fulfilling lives despite the complexities of this disorder.
**Please note this article should not serve as medical advice; if you suspect you or someone you care for is suffering from schizophrenia, contact one of the many health helplines, your family doctor, or a hospital.
Pin It!
