Schizophrenia
When
schizophrenia hits the news, it is usually linked to bizarre and frightening
crimes that lead the public to believe that most people with this illness are
violent and dangerous. But these highly publicized cases represent only a small
fraction of people living with schizophrenia (BC Schizophrenia Society).
Although
it affects around 40,000 people in British Columbia (about 1 in 100 Canadians),
schizophrenia is one of the most widely misunderstood of all mental illnesses.
What Causes Schizophrenia?
Researchers
do not fully understand what causes the illness, but the consensus is that
schizophrenia is caused by changes in the chemistry and structure of the brain,
as well as genetic factors. Each of the billions of nerve cells in the brain
has branches that transmit and receive messages from other nerve cells. These
branches release chemicals called neurotransmitters which carry messages
between cells. Researchers believe that schizophrenia interferes with this
chemical communications system. Incoming perceptions get routed along the wrong
path, get jammed or end up at the wrong destination, much like a short-circuit
in a telephone switchboard.
As a
result, people with schizophrenia often have difficulty thinking and talking in
a consistently clear and organized manner. They may feel anxious and
disoriented, and may lose the ability to relax, sleep and experience pleasure.
Although schizophrenia affects each person differently, some people with this
illness hear voices that comment on their behaviour, insult them, or give
commands. Others experience a blurred sense of reality involving hallucinations
that may be enjoyable or extremely frightening.
Most people in BC do not recognize the signs
of schizophrenia. As a result, people with untreated schizophrenia are
sometimes mistaken for alcoholics or drug addicts because of their unusual behaviour, which may include
acting paranoid or talking to someone who isn't there.
According
to the BCSS, schizophrenia affects both men and women and usually strikes
between the ages of 15 and 30.
Although
there is no known cure for the illness, schizophrenia can be treated with a
combination of medication and supportive therapies.
Key to
recovery is recognizing the signs and symptoms of the illness and getting help
immediately, particularly at the first episode of psychosis (break from
reality). This can help prevent delusions from "hardening" and reduce
the impact of the illness on the person's vocational and social goals. Another
important aspect of a modern treatment plan is psycho-education which provides
the person with the information and skills needed to adequately understand and
deal with the illness in the context of their daily lives. The newer
medications also represent a giant step forward since they enable people to
think and function at a much higher level than older drugs allowed.
Facts and Myths about Schizophrenia
-
schizophrenia
is not caused by bad parenting, childhood trauma, poverty, street drugs or alcohol
- schizophrenia
is not contagious
- although
people with schizophrenia sometimes hear "voices" in their heads,
this illness is very different from split or multiple personality disorder (now
called dissociative disorder)
- schizophrenia
is not a person's fault; it is a chemical brain disorder caused by a
combination of biological and genetic factors, and often triggered by
environmental stressors
- people
with this illness are at risk of harming themselves. Approximately 40% of
people with schizophrenia attempt suicide and 10-20% will actually succeed.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
- changes
in appetite and weight
- extreme
lethargy and lack of motivation to complete tasks
- an
emotional "flatness" and difficulty experiencing pleasure
- a strong
desire for solitude
- unusual
tearfulness and deep sadness
- scattered
attention and difficulties with concentration
- frequent
thoughts of death or suicide
- difficulty
making decisions, even small ones
- a sense
of failure and a loss of self-esteem
- difficulty
maintaining personal hygiene
- a sense
of being watched or followed
- hallucinations
or delusions (e.g. hearing "voices" in one's head)
Useful Numbers:
BC
Schizophrenia Society
Tel No:
604-270-7841
E-mail: bcss@mindlink.bc.ca
Canadian
Schizophrenia Society
1-888-772-4673
Web: www.schizophrenia.ca