Glossary / Lexicon

Schizophrenia refers to a psychotic mental disorder of unknown etiology characterized by disturbances in thinking, mood, and behavior.

The thinking disturbance is manifested by a distortion of reality, sometimes with delusions and hallucinations, accompanied by a fragmentation of associations that results in characteristic disturbances of speech; the mood disturbance includes ambivalence and inappropriate or constricted affective responses; the behavior disturbance may be manifested by apathetic withdrawal or bizarre activity. Types of schizophrenia include disorganized, catatonic, paranoid, undifferentiated, and residual. Although the symptoms vary from person to person, most people find it adversely affects their day to day lives at some stage. People with schizophrenia find it difficult to work as well as they did before because their thoughts are jumbled and unclear, so they have trouble concentrating. They may become so preoccupied with their thoughts and feelings that they fail to take care of themselves, not even eating or sleeping. Common symptoms include hearing voices (often referred to as auditory hallucinations) and unusual beliefs or delusions. The condition is predominantly treated with antipsychotic medication but psychological therapies have also proved effective in managing the symptoms.

Description

Schizophrenia is a severe and chronic mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disordered thinking, and a lack of motivation. People with schizophrenia may also experience social withdrawal, difficulties in communication, and trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is not. The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Diagnosis usually occurs in early adulthood, although symptoms may start to appear earlier. Treatment typically involves a combination of antipsychotic medications, psychotherapy, and support services to help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Application Areas

• Psychological assessment and diagnosis
• Psychoeducation for families and caregivers
• Research into the causes and treatments of schizophrenia
• Development of interventions to improve symptom management
• Creation of support services for individuals with schizophrenia

Treatment and Risks

• Antipsychotic medications to manage symptoms
• Possible side effects of medication, such as weight gain or movement disorders
• Psychotherapy to help individuals cope with symptoms and improve functioning
• Risks of treatment-resistant symptoms that may require alternative or additional interventions
• Potential for relapse if treatment is not continued or followed as prescribed

Examples

• A person experiencing auditory hallucinations and delusions that they are being followed by the government
• Someone who believes that they have special powers and abilities that others do not possess
• An individual who struggles to maintain relationships due to their disorganized thinking and difficulties with social interactions
• Someone who experiences extreme paranoia and fear of others plotting against them
• A person who is unable to work or attend school due to the severity of their symptoms

Articles with 'Schizophrenia' in the title

• Catatonic type of schizophrenia: Catatonic type of schizophrenia : catatonic type of schizophrenia refers to the type of Schizophrenia in which motor disturbances, such as rigidity, agitation, and odd mannerisms predominate
• Catatonic type of Schizophrenia: Catatonic type of Schizophrenia : Catatonic type of Schizophrenia refers to the type of Schizophrenia in which motor disturbances, like rigidity, agitation, and odd mannerisms predominate
• Disorganized schizophrenia: Disorganized schizophrenia refers to Schizophrenia marked by incoherence, grossly disorganized behavior, bizarre thinking, and flat or grossly inappropriate emotions
• First–rank symptoms (in Schizophrenia): First–rank symptoms (in Schizophrenia) : First–rank symptoms in Schizophrenia which is also known as Positive symptoms refer to characteristics that are notably present but normally absent in people’s experience, such as delusions . . .
• Negative symptoms in schizophrenia: Negative symptoms in schizophrenia deficits in functioning that indicate the absence of a capacity present in normal people, such as affective flattening which is also called Type II symptoms
• Neurodevelopmental model of Schizophrenia: Neurodevelopmental model of Schizophrenia : Neurodevelopmental model of Schizophrenia refers to a model proposes that genetic vulnerability and early neurodevelopmental insults result in impaired connections among many brain regions
• Neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia: Neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia: Neurodevelopmental model of schizophrenia refers to a model which proposes that genetic vulnerability and early neurodevelopmental insults result in impaired connections among many brain regions
• Paranoid type of schizophrenia: Paranoid type of schizophrenia: paranoid type of schizophrenia refers to the type of Schizophrenia in which symptoms primarily involve delusions and hallucinations, but the speech and motor and emotional behavior are relatively intact
• Residual schizophrenia: Residual schizophrenia refers to a type of schizophrenia characterized by the absence of prominent delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and grossly disorganized and catatonic behavior despite continuing evidence of a disturbance
• Residual type of schizophrenia: Residual type of schizophrenia refers to a diagnostic category for people who have experienced at least one episode of schizophrenia and who no longer display its major symptoms but still show some bizarre thoughts or social withdrawal
• Schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders: Schizophrenia spectrum disorders is a term used by some researchers to characterize a continuum of disorders, including Schizophrenia, Schizoid personality disorder, and Schizotypal personality disorder
• Schizophrenia, disorganized type: Schizophrenia, disorganized type: Schizophrenia, disorganized type refers to a type of Schizophrenia characterized by a combination of symptoms, including disorganized speech and behavior and flat or inappropriate affect
• Schizophrenia, residual type: Schizophrenia, residual type: Schizophrenia, residual type refers to a a type of Schizophrenia in which people who have previously been diagnosed as having Schizophrenia may no longer have prominent psychotic symptoms but still show some . . .
• Schizophrenia, undifferentiated type: Schizophrenia, undifferentiated type: Schizophrenia, undifferentiated type refers to a type of Schizophrenia characterized by a complex of schizophrenic symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, incoherence, or disorganized behavior, . . .
• Simple schizophrenia: Simple schizophrenia which is also referred to as Simple deteriorative disorder refers to a progressive development over a one-year period of the following symptoms: marked decline in academic or occupational functioning, increasingly . . .
• Undifferentiated-type schizophrenia: Undifferentiated-type schizophrenia refers to a condition characterized by the major features of schizophrenia without meeting full assessment distinctions for the paranoid, disorganized, or catatonic types of the disease

Summary

Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that affects how individuals think, feel, and behave. It is characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, and social withdrawal. Treatment typically involves a combination of medications, therapy, and support services to help individuals manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial in managing the disorder and reducing the risk of relapse. Despite the challenges that schizophrenia presents, many individuals with the disorder can lead fulfilling and productive lives with the right support and treatment.

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