Schizophrenia

= Chloe and Conner =

//__** SCHIZOPHRENIA - psychotic disorder**__// Progressive disorder that makes it hard to distinguish reality from dream land, think in a logical manner, have emotions towards things(or can exaggerate emotions), and can cause social awkwardness.

// Signs/Symptoms(may develop over years) //:
Irritability Insomnia Lack of concentration Apathy Delusional beliefs Hearing voices/hallucinations

// Causes //:

 * __ Genetic __- people with a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with schizophrenia are ten times more likely to develop it than others. Genetics are not the only cause and some people with close schizophrenic relatives do not develop it
 * __ Environmental __- It is possible that stress causes schizophrenia by producing too much of the hormone cortisol. A lot of the factors that are thought to cause schizophrenia occur in the early stages of life, such as too little oxygen while being born, child abuse, being exposed to a virus while in the womb or during the early years of childhood, etc.
 * __ Brain Structure __- some schizophrenics have enlarged brain ventricles, while others have low activity in the frontal lobe; others have abnormal temporal lobes, hippocampuses, and amygdalas. None of the studies have ever been conclusive though, because the results in these tests are never similar when compared to other schizophrenics.

// Different Types of Schizophrenia //:
__ Paranoid __- anxiety and belief that everyone is out to get you __ Disorganized __- childish, apathetic, can't explain ideas very clearly __ Catatonic __- rigid posture, little activity in life, grimacing a lot

// What the Public Thinks //:
The public views schizophrenic people as extremely violent and think that they have multiple personalities or a split personality. People often try to distance themselves from anyone with schizophrenia. In a study of people that do not have schizophrenics in their lives, these results were found:


 * __ 80% __ would be uncomfortable with dating someone who has schizophrenia(untreated)
 * __ 77% __ would be uncomfortable working with someone who has schizophrenia(untreated)
 * __ 80% __ would be uncomfortable working for someone who has(untreated)
 * __ 76% __ would be uncomfortable just being around someone who has schizophrenia(untreated)
 * __ 71% __ would be afraid for their own well-being while around someone who as schizophrenia(untreated)

// Treatments Available //:
__ Medication __: Antipsychotic medications help best with schizophrenia by balancing chemicals in the brains __ Therapy/Support Programs __: job-training classes, relationship classes behavior classes, supportive groups

// Controversies // :
Because there is little known about the cause of schizophrenia, the main controversy lies in the diagnosis. No one knows what exactly causes schizophrenia, whether it is just genetic, or if the environment does actually play a part, or any other factors and if they are important to the development of schizophrenia.

//**Disorders associated with Schizophrenia**// :
Phobias Bipolar Depression Panic Disorders

// Sources //:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001925/ http://www.helpguide.org/mental/schizophrenia_symptom.htm http://www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/SchizophreniaSurvey/Analysis_Public_Attitudes.htm goulash