Schizophrenia is characterized by predominantly Delusions (false but firm belief in something) and Hallucinations (false perception) with overall deterioration in one’s personality. Delusion is the false and firm belief of something which does not go with patient’s social, economical and cultural background.
Schizophrenia is type of psychological disorder affecting person’s speech, behavior, thinking ability, work and social functioning to variable extent. It is considered most severe of all psychological disorders.
Schizophrenia affects 1% of general population.
No. Schizophrenia has 4-5 subtypes having different clinical presentation other than the general features of Schizophrenia. Paranoid subtype presents with prominent delusions and hallucinations. Hebephrenic variety presents with disorganization in speech and behavior, aimless wandering, impaired self-care, silly smiling. Catatonic subtype presents with mutism, posturing, incontinence, stupor or aggression. Residual and Simple subtype presents with prominent negative symptoms.
Schizophrenia generally presents with 3 symptoms clusters Positive, Negative and Cognitive domains.
Positive symptoms consist of Delusions (defined as false, firm and unshakable belief which is held in contradiction to the person’s educational, cultural and social background), Hallucinations (defined as perception in absence of stimulus which can be auditory, visual, olfactory, tactile and gustatory), Disorganization (in speech and behavior) and unprovoked aggression.
Negative symptoms consist of Anhedonia (lack of interest in all activities), Apathy (lack of emotion), Avolition (lack of motivation), and Asociality.
Cognitive symptoms consist of Impairment in higher or executive functioning, Attentional deficits, Impaired short term or working memory.
No. Split personality is different from Schizophrenia and now referred as a Dissociative identity disorder.
It is highly individual decision but correct advice is that after informing the other party completely about the illness of person by taking them in confidence one can think of marriage in Schizophrenic patient.
It depends on lot of factors. But mostly it is long term treatment. A small number of patients remain asymptomatic after first episode is treated.
Not exactly. Mostly the drugs are fairly safe and risk of any systemic side effects is at par with drugs used to other chronic medical illnesses.
It is general assumption that positive symptoms respond fairly well to medications but negative and cognitive symptoms do not respond so well. This can be tackled with the help of structured rehabilitation program focused on improving lost social skills.
No. Not all patients potentially dangerous. Very few patients who have extreme paranoia and feel a threat to their own life from some particular individual or group of individuals can have a risk of extreme violent behavior.