Schizophrenia refers to a group of brain disorders characterized by an abnormal interpretation of reality. Those with schizophrenia may experience hallucinations, delusions and abnormal thinking and behavior, according to the Mayo Clinic's website. Although many people refer to schizophrenia as multiple personalities, the disorder is not characterized by more than one personality.
Causes
The exact cause of schizophrenia is not clear, but the disorder is believed to develop as a result of a combination of genetics, environment and abnormalities involving the brain and neurotransmitters glutamate and dopamine. Those with schizophrenia are believed to release excess amounts of glutamate and dopamine, which can illicit psychotic behavior. Glutamate and dopamine play important roles in proper nervous system function, behavior, thought and movement. Abnormalities with these neurotransmitters can cause a wide array of problems, including abnormal cognition and behavior.
Risk Factors
Although the exact cause of schizophrenia has not been found, risk factors that have been identified include a family history of the disorder, extremely stressful life situations, older age and being male. Those who were exposed to certain toxins, viruses or malnutrition while in the womb also have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia. The use of psychotic drugs during developmental years may also contribute to the development of the condition.
Symptoms
Symptoms usually manifest in men in the teens or 20s and in women in the 20s or early 30s, reports MayoClinic.com. Mental health care professionals divide schizophrenia symptoms into three main categories: positive, negative and cognitive. Positive symptoms are those that demonstrate abnormal function. These symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, abnormal thinking and strange behavior. Negative symptoms are characterized by an absence of normal functioning. These symptoms include lack of emotion, loss of interest in daily activities, social withdrawal, loss of motivation and withdrawal from society. Cognitive symptoms involve disruptions in thought, including memory problems, difficulty understanding others and a short attention span.
Treatment
Schizophrenia requires lifelong management. Even if symptoms go away, it is important to maintain treatment, which usually consists of a combination of medications and psychosocial therapy. Anti-psychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed for schizophrenics, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Anti-psychotics control the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. They work by blocking the dopamine receptors in the brain and partially blocking the serotonin receptors. Some psychosocial methods used for treatment include family therapy, social skills training and coping with stress, according to MayoClinic.com.
Considerations
Although commonly associated with violence, schizophrenics are not usually prone to violent behavior. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a schizophrenic who is violent will often direct his violence toward family members.
