Lack of awareness is a common symptom of people diagnosed with schizophrenia and greatly complicates treatment. Sometimes using drugs, such as methamphetamines or LSD, can cause a person to have schizophrenia-like symptoms. The difficulty of diagnosing this illness is compounded by the fact that many people who are diagnosed do not believe they have it. The younger and more frequent the use, the greater the risk.ĭiagnosing schizophrenia is not easy. A growing body of evidence indicates that smoking marijuana increases the risk of psychotic incidents and the risk of ongoing psychotic experiences. Some studies have suggested that taking mind-altering drugs during teen years and young adulthood can increase the risk of schizophrenia. Networks of neurons are likely involved as well. Neurotransmitters allow brain cells to communicate with each other. Problems with certain brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia. Recent research also suggests a relationship between autoimmune disorders and the development of psychosis. Exposure to viruses or malnutrition before birth, particularly in the first and second trimesters has been shown to increase the risk of schizophrenia. Heredity does play a strong role-your likelihood of developing schizophrenia is more than six times higher if you have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling, with the disorder Schizophrenia isn’t caused by just one genetic variation, but a complex interplay of genetics and environmental influences. Research suggests that schizophrenia may have several possible causes: Commonly, people with schizophrenia have anosognosia or “lack of insight.” This means the person is unaware that he has the illness, which can make treating or working with him much more challenging. People with the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia often struggle to remember things, organize their thoughts or complete tasks. Negative symptoms are sometimes confused with clinical depression.Ĭognitive issues/disorganized thinking. People with the negative symptoms may be unable to start or follow through with activities, show little interest in life, or sustain relationships. Negative symptoms often include being emotionally flat or speaking in a dull, disconnected way. Negative symptoms are ones that diminish a person’s abilities. People who have delusions often also have problems concentrating, confused thinking, or the sense that their thoughts are blocked. Voices may involve people that are known or unknown to the person hearing them.ĭelusions. These are false beliefs that don’t change even when the person who holds them is presented with new ideas or facts. The voices in the hallucination can be critical or threatening. The hallucination is very real to the person experiencing it, and it may be very confusing for a loved one to witness. Hallucinations. These include a person hearing voices, seeing things, or smelling things others can’t perceive. For a diagnosis of schizophrenia, some of the following symptoms are present in the context of reduced functioning for a least 6 months: With any condition, it's essential to get a comprehensive medical evaluation in order to obtain the best diagnosis. In young people who develop schizophrenia, this stage of the disorder is called the "prodromal" period. Other factors include isolating oneself and withdrawing from others, an increase in unusual thoughts and suspicions, and a family history of psychosis. This is because the first signs can include a change of friends, a drop in grades, sleep problems, and irritability-common and nonspecific adolescent behavior. It can be difficult to diagnose schizophrenia in teens. It is possible to live well with schizophrenia. It is uncommon for schizophrenia to be diagnosed in a person younger than 12 or older than 40. Although schizophrenia can occur at any age, the average age of onset tends to be in the late teens to the early 20s for men, and the late 20s to early 30s for women. The exact prevalence of schizophrenia is difficult to measure, but estimates range from 0.25% to 0.64% of U.S. It is a complex, long-term medical illness. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. Weight Gain Related to Psychiatric TreatmentsĮCT, TMS and Other Brain Stimulation Therapies
What to Avoid with Psychiatric Medications Methylphenidate or Dexmethylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin and others)
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