Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by a long chronic course and typical personality changes. Schizophrenia and other diseases, accompanied by signs of psychosis, are observed in about 1.5% of the world's population. To date, approximately 45 million adult patients have been diagnosed with schizophrenia in the world.
Schizophrenia - Causes
There are not enough data on the causes of schizophrenia and the mechanisms of its development, however, doctors assign a leading role in its occurrence to hereditary factors. The development of the disease largely depends on the gender and age of the patient. So, men get sick earlier than women, and their course of the disease is characterized by a relatively favorable outcome. In women, the course of the disease is more paroxysmal, due to the cyclical nature of the neuro-endocrine processes associated with menstrual function, pregnancy, childbirth, however, the prognosis as a whole is also considered favorable. The time of development of malignant forms of the disease is in childhood and adolescence.
Schizophrenia - Symptoms
Most often, this mental disorder is manifested by hallucinations (the patient can “hear” voices or “see” objects that are inaudible and invisible to other people), as well as various forms of delirium (expressing ideas that are not true).
Also, patients with schizophrenia are characterized by strange conversations and the commission of meaningless acts. For example, they often refuse normal activities: attending school, working, talking with friends. Instead, they choose loneliness and fenced off contacts with other people. Patients with schizophrenia may also not follow the rules of personal hygiene.
Schizophrenia - diagnosis
At the beginning of the disease, its diagnosis is a certain difficulty. When the first episode of periodic schizophrenia consists solely in emotional disorders, it is difficult to distinguish it from the phase of manic-depressive psychosis. It is also difficult to diagnose schizophrenia in childhood, because the first severe attack is usually noted only in adolescence.
In adults, the diagnosis is based on an analysis of the patient's complaints and his behavior. For a psychiatric assessment, a mental status analysis is usually performed and a psychiatric history is made. There are certain developed standard diagnostic criteria that take into account the presence of certain signs with their severity and duration. However, to date there is no laboratory test for schizophrenia that would be clinically approved.
Schizophrenia - treatment and prevention
The main treatment for schizophrenia is medication. There are a number of drugs to correct the strange behavior of patients (Haloperidol, Triftazin, Fluanksol, etc.), however, their treatment is complicated by the presence of various side effects: drowsiness, trembling hands, muscle weakness, dizziness. Eliminate these causes with other drugs: Cyclodolum, Akineton. Clozapine may cause fewer side effects, however, treatment requires regular blood tests. Preparations of a new generation (Risolept) have a minimum number of side effects, which is an important factor in improving the quality of life of patients.
Often, adjuvant psychotherapy and counseling for a patient with schizophrenia have a good effect. With the help of psychotherapy, patients with schizophrenia gain a positive attitude towards themselves, find ways to solve pressing problems.
An important role in the treatment of schizophrenia is played by social rehabilitation, represented by a whole range of programs. During their implementation, patients receive social skills for interacting with other people and other skills necessary in everyday life. They also undergo the vocational training they need in order to obtain and maintain a job, and continuous education for patients who need it.
Comments
