Schizophrenia: An Overview

It’s a complex mental disorder that affects approximately one in 100 Canadians.

Schizophrenia is an illness that doesn’t discriminate and affects people from all backgrounds around the world, both men and women.

According to the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, recent research shows the disorder may be the result of faulty neural development in the fetal brain, which develops into full-blown illness by late adolescence and early adulthood.

Every nerve cell in the brain (and there are billions) has branches that transmit and receive messages from other nerve cells. Nerve endings releases chemicals called neurotransmitters that help deliver messages from the end of one nerve branch to the cell body of another.

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada says the mental disorder occurs when something goes wrong with that communication system.

The disease commonly strikes between 15 and 25 years of age and can develop very slowly or come on suddenly.

The Three Types Of Schizophrenia

1. Paranoid Schizophrenia
-characterized by hallucinations and/or delusions, usually of persecution but less commonly are grandiose in content.

2. Disorganized Schizophrenia
-major symptoms of this type include disorganized behaviour and speech, inappropriate responses and/or no demonstration of emotion. Early symptoms include poor concentration, moodiness, confusion and strange ideas. In this type, delusions or false beliefs are not well established.

3. Catatonic Schizophrenia
-affects a person’s mobility. It can be impaired, excessive or include unusual postures. Other characteristics include: Resistance to instructions or attempts to be physically moved; excited physical activity that seems to have no purpose;

What Are The Signs & Symptoms?

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada says symptoms of the illness appear as people are struggling to distinguish between reality and their own perceptions.

There are four categories of symptoms: positive, negative, cognitive and emotional.

Positive symptoms are also called psychotic symptoms and include symptoms that appear. Negative symptoms include elements that are taken away from a person.

It’s important to note that symptoms vary with each individual.

Positive Symptoms:

• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Disorganized behaviour
• Changes in sensitivity

Negative

• Loss of interest in daily activities
• Lack of energy

Cognitive

• Poor concentration
• Thought disorder

Emotional

• Depression
• Blunted emotions

The Schizophrenia Society of Canada says some warning signs may be apparent during the early stages of the illness. This can last for week or months before a person moves into the active stage of schizophrenia. They can include:

• Deterioration of personal hygiene
• Social withdrawal, isolation
• A shift in basic personality
• Inappropriate laughter
• Dropping out of activities

How Is It Treated?

There is currently no way to prevent the disease but its impact can be minimized with the use of drugs and hospital treatment.

Some people suffering acute episodes may require hospitalization to be stabilized while those suffering from mild or moderate episodes may receive intense outpatient treatment.

According to the Schizophrenia Society of Canada, a comprehensive treatment program can include:

• Antipsychotic medication
• Education and support for both patients and families
• Social skills training
• Rehabilitation to improve activities of daily living
• Vocational and recreational support
• Cognitive therapy

Medication is a very important part of treatment and some people who’ve suffered from acute episodes will need to take medication indefinitely because the threat of psychosis never goes away.

Here’s a list of some of the medications available in Canada (generic titles):

Clozapine
Olanzapine
Risperidone
Quetiapine

With early detection and proper treatment many people with schizophrenia can live a full and productive life.

More Information

Schizophrenia Society of Canada
50 Acadia Ave., Suite 205
Markham, Ont.,
L3R 0B3

(905) 415-2007
schizophrenia.ca