{ Schizophrenia

How Prevalent?  About 1 in every 100 people are diagnosed with schizophrenia.

 Genetics: Schizophrenia typically runs in families, so it’s likely the disorder is inherited  If an identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin is 50 percent more likely to have the disorder.  That also points out the likelihood of other causes: If schizophrenia were purely genetic, both identical twins always would have the disorder.  Brain chemistry and structure: Neurotransmitters—chemicals in the brain, including dopamine and glutamate, that communicate between neurons—are believed to play a role.  There also is evidence to suggest that the brains of individuals with schizophrenia are different from those of healthy individuals  Environment: Some research points to child abuse, early traumatic events, severe stress, negative life events and living in an urban environment as contributing factors.  Additional causes include physical and psychological complications during pregnancy, such as viral infection, malnutrition and the mother’s stress What causes Schizophrenia?

Significant Loss of Gray Matter of Brain (up to 25% in some areas)Significant Loss of Gray Matter of Brain (up to 25% in some areas) Enlarged Ventricles Impaired Cognitive FunctionImpaired Cognitive Function Decreased Pre-frontal Brain FunctionDecreased Pre-frontal Brain Function

 Disorganized thinking  Disordered thoughts  Disturbed Perceptions  Delusions  Hallucinations (auditory & visual)  Inappropriate Emotions and Actions Symptoms

 The thinking of a person with Schizophrenia is fragmented and bizarre and distorted with false beliefs. Disorganized ThinkingDisorganized ThinkingDisorganized ThinkingDisorganized Thinking Disorganized thinking comes from a breakdown in selective attention.- they cannot filter out information. Often causes………

Delusions (false beliefs)  Delusions of Persecution  Delusions of Grandeur

 hallucinations- sensory experiences without sensory stimulation. Disturbed Perceptions

Inappropriate Emotions and Actions  Laugh at inappropriate times  Flat Effect  Senseless, compulsive acts  Catatonia- motionless Waxy Flexibility

Types of Schizophrenia

Paranoid Schizophrenia  preoccupation with delusions or hallucinations  Somebody is out to get me!!!!

 disorganized speech or behavior, or flat or inappropriate emotion. Disorganized Schizophrenia