SCHIZOPHRENIA
Child schizophrenia, like other psychopathologies has many documented, and several
uncertain causes. Some scientists have evidence that pregnant mothers have experienced
an immune reaction that present dangers to the unborn child. Schizophrenia is a disorder
where the body=s immune system attacks itself. Schizophrenia is not present at birth but
develops during the adolescence period or young adulthood. ASchizophrenia is a
biological brain disease affecting thinking, perception, mood, and behaviour. Its exact
cause is unknown but overwhelming evidence points to faulty chemistry or structural
abnormalities in the brain. In some cases schizophrenia is generic. Schizophrenia
strikes one in 100 people at some point in his/her lifetime.@ (Compiled by Ontario
Friends of Schizophrenia, Oct 94).
Schizophrenia worsens and becomes better in cycles, also known as relapses and remission.
People who are suffering from schizophrenia look relatively normal. Schizophrenics
suffer from such symptoms as: delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorders.
Delusions are false beliefs that aren=t based on reality. Schizophrenics may believe
that someone is following them, or planning to harm them. Schizophrenics believe that
others can hear their thoughts , also known as Abroadcasting@ and even change them.
A...hear their thoughts, insert thoughts into their minds, or control their feelings,
actions or impulses. Patients might think they are Jesus, Napoleon, or Franklin D.
Roosevelt.@ (American Psychiatric Association Annual >90 page 1)
Pregnant women who experience an immune reaction that presents danger to their unborn
children, this reaction raises sharply the rates of schizophrenia in the unborn child.
Severe malnutrition in the early months of the fetal development may contribute to
schizophrenia. It is also known that schizophrenia runs in families. AThe probablitilty
of developing schizophrenia as the off spring of one parent with the disease is
approximately 13%. The probability of developing schizophrenia as the off spring of both
parents with the disease is approximately 35%.@ (Pamphlet by: American Psychiatric
Association Annual >90 page 7)
Hallucinations another symptom which schizophrenic patients suffer from. Hallucinations
may be seen or heard. The most common hallucination are those heard by the
schizophrenic. The schizophrenic may hear voices that tell them what to do, these voices
may warn them of danger, tell them how to feel, or describe one=s actions.
Schizophrenics thought process is very Aloose@. Their thought s may shift rapidly from
one unrelated topic to the next. They may make up their own words or use sounds or
grunts to substitute words. These symptoms do not mean that people with schizophrenia
are out of touch with the world completely, they know that roads are used for driving
cars, and that people eat meals three a day.
Schizophrenia affect both men and women equally. Along with delusions, hallucinations,
and thought disorders, they also suffer from paranoia, high anxiety , low stress
tolerance, low motivation, lack of energy and the inability to feel pleasure. This makes
work, leisure, relationships and even everyday tasks difficult, sometimes impossible.
These are concerns not only for the people diagnosed with this psychopathology but for
their friends and family. Family is looked upon for support in not only everyday tasks,
but in dealing with this disorder whether its in remission or relapse. With
schizophrenia there is the risk of suicide. ATen percent of all people with
schizophrenia commit suicide. Either to escape the torment of their illness. Or because
their >voices= command them to.@ (Compiled by Ontario Friends of Schizophrenics, Oct.
1994) Many schizophrenics also are incarcerated for crimes that they have committed
while in a psychotic state, or are living on the streets, without any treatment. Schi
zophrenics may become violent while in a psychotic state, and may lose all sense of who
they are and who others are around them.
Symptoms such as social withdraw , inappropriate or blunted emotions, and extreme apathy
may persist for years, however many schizophrenics have recovered enough to be able to
live on their own. ATen years after their first schizophrenic episode, 25 percent of
people with schizophrenia have recovered completely. Another 25 percent are much
improved and living fairly independent lives; 25 percent, although improved, still need
extensive support; 15 percent are hospitalized and show no improvement, and 10 percent
have killed themselves.@ (Compiled by Ontario Friends of Schizophrenics, October 1994)
Schizophrenia appears when the body is under going hormonal changes and physical changes
in adolescence like other genetically related illnesses. Schizophrenia is said to lie
Adormant@ during childhood, some researchers have suggested. AGenes govern the body=s
structure and biochemistry. Because structure and biochemistry change dramatically in
teen and young adult years, some researchers suggest that schizophrenia lies >dormant=
during childhood. It emerges as the body undergoes changes during puberty.@ (Pamphlet
by: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, June >90 page 2)
The symptoms of schizophrenia appear gradually during adolescence, or young adulthood.
Friends and family may not notice the signs as the illness takes initial hold. The young
person often feels tense, can not sleep or concentrate, and they with draw socially. But
at some point loved ones will begin to notice the changes. Their work performance,
appearance and social relationships begin to deteriorate. As this illness progresses the
symptoms become more and more bizarre, they develop particular behaviours and begin
talking nonsense.
Drug therapy is the most common form of treatment, however it is not the only form.
ACurrent treatment programs for schizophrenia include combinations of medication,
psychotherapy, education, and social-vocational rehabilitation.@ (Pamphlet by Deborah
Dauphinais: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Annual >92 page 1). The primary
medication for treatment of schizophrenia are the antipsychotic medications, also known
as neuroleptic. These medications do not cure schizophrenia but reduce the symptoms.
All widely used antipsychotic medications are equal in treating the symptoms of
schizophrenia; however, individuals may prefer one medication to another due to their
experience to different side effects. Medication may be increased, or decreased
depending on the state that the patient is in. During a psychotic episode the medication
will be increased and as the episode decreases so will the amount of medication, however
this process is a slow and lengthy process. The medication will be tapered off
to the lowest possible dosage without the symptoms returning. Some side effects of
medication may be: nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or sweating. Medication
is used to inhibit the action of dopamine which is a Aneurotransmitter@, or chemical in
the brain that helps cells to communicate with one another.
Hospitalization is also an option in treatment. During a psychotic episode a hospital
stay is often necessary. ASchizophrenics occupy more hospital beds than people with
cancer, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis combined.@ (Compiled by Ontario Friends of
Schizophrenics, October 1994)
Another form of treatment, which goes hand in hand with medication is counselling both
for the patient and the family. ASupportive counselling or psychotherapy may be
appropriate for these individuals as a source of friendship, encouragement, and practical
advice during this process. Relatives and friends can also assist in rebuilding the
person=s social skills. Such support is very important.@ (Pamphlet by: American
Psychiatric Association Annual >90 page 1)
ASchizophrenia, a disease of the brain, is one of the most disabling and emotionally
devastating illnesses known to man. But because it has been misunderstood for so long,
it has received relatively little attention and its victims have been undeservingly
stigmatized. Schizophrenia is not a split personaltiy, a rare and very different
disorder.@ (Pamphlet by: National Alliance for the Mentally Ill June >90 page 1)
Since the funding is increasingly being cut so is the research for schizophrenia, leaving
many unanswered questions. As Child and Youth Workers we need to provide support to
parents and childern with this illness, we ourselves need to have a better understanding
of schizophrenia.m The most important message for us to convey is Ayou are not alone.@
References
a. More than two authors
Pamphlets: Compiled by Ontario Friends of Schizophrenics. (1994). The Facts,
Schizophrenia: Compassion Through Understanding, Risk of Suicide
b. More than two authors
Pamphlet by: Natonal Alliance for the Mentally Ill. (1990). Schizophrenia
c. One author
Bower, B. (1996). New culprits cited for schizophrenia. Science News, vol. 149, 68.
D. More than two authors
Pamphlet by: American Psychiatric Association Annual. (1990). Schizophrenia, 1-10
e. More than two authors
Pamphlet by:National Institute of Mental Heath Annual. (1990). You are not alone: Facts
about mental health and mental illness, 1-9
f. One author
Dauphinais, D. (1992). Pamphlet: Medicatons for the treatment of schizophrenia:
questions and answers, 1-4
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