1. SCHIZOPHRENIA
By Zain and Aqsa

2. Definition:
A chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and behave
A person with schizophrenia may have difficulty distinguishing between real and imaginary
May be unresponsive or withdrawn
May have difficulty expressing normal emotions in social situations
Symptoms are not identical for each person

3. Causes: Still unclear Theories suggest: Genetics(heredity)
Biology(abnormalities in the brain’s chemistry or structure)
Viral infections
Immune disorders

4. Genetics:
Scientists have discovered that the disorder tends to run in families
Person inherits a tendency to develop the disease
May appear when the body undergoes hormonal and physical changes(e.g, in puberty)
After dealing with highly stressful situations

5. Biology:
Chemical: Imbalance of brain chemicals or neurotransmitters(dopamine, serotonin, glutamate)
Imbalance can affect the way the brain reacts to stimuli - explains why patient is overwhelmed by sensory stimuli, e.g: loud music or bright lights which other people can easily handle
Can lead to hallucinations and delusions
Structure: problems with development of connections and pathways in the brain in the womb may lead to schizophrenia

6. Viral infections and immune disorders:
Babies whose mothers get the flu whilst pregnant are at higher risk
People hospitalized for severe infections

7. Signs: Different for everyone
Behaviors that are early warning signs of schizophrenia include:
Hearing or seeing something that isn’t there
A constant feeling of being watched
Peculiar or nonsensical way of speaking or writing
Strange body positioning
Feeling indifferent to very important situations
Deterioration of academic or work performance
A change in personal hygiene and appearance
A change in personality
Irrational, angry or fearful response to loved ones
Inability to sleep or concentrate
Inappropriate or bizarre behavior
Extreme preoccupation with religion or the occult

8. Symptoms: Divided into POSITIVE and NEGATIVE symptoms Positive:
Positive (added)
Negative (lost)
Delusions
Social withdrawal
Hallucinations
Extreme apathy
Disorders of thinking and speech
Lack of drive/initiative
Disorganized behaiviour
Emotional flatness

9. Treatment: No particular cure exists
Recovery is possible through a variety of services, including medication and rehabilitation programs.
Types of services that help a person with schizophrenia include:
Case management
Psychosocial Rehabilitation Programs
Self-help groups
Drop-in centers
Housing programs
Employment programs
Therapy/counselling
Coordinated Specialty Care(CSC) – aiming at helping the individual to recover using shared shared decision making

10. Antipsychotic Medication
Help control the symptoms
Reduce biochemical imbalances and likelihood of relapse
should be taken only under the supervision of a mental health professional
Atypical (or "New Generation") antipsychotics are less likely to cause some of the severe side effects associated with typical antipsychotics (i.e. tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, tremors).

11. 2 major types
(1) Typical ‘conventional’ antipsychotics effectively control the “positive” symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and confusion of schizophrenia.
Some typical antipsychotics are:
Chlorpromazine
Haloperidol (Haldol)
Mesoridazine (Serentil)
Fluphenazine (Proxlixin)
(2) Atypical ‘New Generation’ antipsychotics treat both the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, often with fewer side effects.
Some atypical antipsychotics are:
Aripiprazole (Abilify, Aristada)
Clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo, Versacloz)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)

12. Side Effects: Are common
Ranging from mild side effects: dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, drowsiness and dizziness which usually disappear after a few weeks
More serious side effects: trouble with muscle control, pacing, tremors and facial ticks.