What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects the perception of reality, thinking, emotion, and behavior. The disorder manifests itself in a variety of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech and behavior, as well as negative symptoms such as lack of initiative and social withdrawal.
Schizophrenia is considered one of the most serious mental disorders, affecting approximately 1% of the world's population. The disorder usually appears in late adolescence or early young adulthood, but may also appear at later ages.
How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
The diagnosis of schizophrenia is based on clear criteria that appear in psychiatric manuals, such as the DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Diagnostic Manual). In general, to diagnose schizophrenia, the patient must exhibit at least two of the following symptoms for at least a month, one of which must be from the first three:
· Hallucinations (The hallucinations) – Sensory perceptions without external stimulation, such as hearing voices that are not there.
· Delusions (Deleuzianism) – Strong but unfounded beliefs, such as a belief that someone is chasing them or that they have supernatural powers.
· Disorganized speech – Difficulty maintaining a logical sequence of speech or confused or meaningless speech.
· Disorganized or catatonic behavior – Unexpected behavior, not adapted to the social context or lack of response to the environment.
· Negative symptoms – Decreased emotional expression, lack of initiative or social withdrawal.
The diagnosis is made by a psychiatrist or psychologist A specialist clinician, after ruling out other medical conditions that may cause similar symptoms, such as neurological disorders or drug abuse.
What are the possible causes of schizophrenia?
The causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood, but studies indicate a combination of genetic, biological, and environmental factors:
· Genetic factors – There is a genetic predisposition to the disorder, so people with a first-degree relative with schizophrenia are at increased risk of developing the disorder.
· Brain changes – It appears that people with schizophrenia have changes in brain structure and function, especially in areas related to information processing and emotions.
· environmental factors – Studies have found that exposure to stress, childhood trauma, infections during pregnancy, and use of psychoactive drugs may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
How can schizophrenia be treated?
Just as the causes of the disorder are complex and integrated, so is the treatment of schizophrenia. Today, the prevailing recommendation is to treat schizophrenia through a combination of medication, psychological-emotional therapies, and social and environmental support:
1. Medication – Antipsychotic medications help reduce psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions). These medications are based on regulating dopamine activity in the brain. Today, contrary to the past and contrary to popular belief, antipsychotic medications have fewer side effects and are considered safer to use.
2. Psychotherapy – Psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), has been found to be helpful in dealing with delusions and sensory hallucinations, as well as improving daily social and emotional functioning.
3. Rehabilitation and social support – Rehabilitation programs, sheltered housing, employment frameworks, family support, and support groups assist in social and occupational integration, as well as in improving the quality of life of those suffering from schizophrenia.
Beyond the diagnosis – dealing with stigma and shame
The stigma and prejudice surrounding schizophrenia often lead to severe feelings of shame, isolation, and discrimination among those living with schizophrenia. Those living with the disorder describe employment discrimination, social alienation, and even lack of access to appropriate medical care.
Often, stigma stems from a lack of sufficient knowledge about the disorder, its causes, treatment methods, lifestyle choices, and coping with it. Therefore, in order to reduce the negative stigma that prevails toward schizophrenia, awareness must first be increased and more accurate information disseminated about the many and varied aspects of the disorder. This is done both through psychological education and through sharing personal and diverse stories about coping with the disorder firsthand.
Re-education, raising awareness, and providing social support to those affected are crucial, as all of these may reduce stigma and enable better integration and rehabilitation.
Summary
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder, manifested by disturbances in the perception of reality, thinking, emotion, and behavior. Those who deal with schizophrenia exhibit a variety of symptoms that include, among others, hallucinations, delusions, cognitive and emotional difficulties, and sometimes also changes in daily behavior.
However, through early diagnosis, appropriate medication and psychological treatment, and significant social support, it is possible to lead a full and meaningful life. It is important to remember that for those struggling, changing the social and public attitude towards schizophrenia and breaking the stigma surrounding the disorder are necessary steps on the path to rehabilitation and better coping!
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Thank you. Very clear and simple.