What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects around 300, 000 Canadians. Schizophrenia interferes with a
person's ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate
to others. Schizophrenia impairs a person's ability to function to their
potential when it is not treated. Unfortunately, no single, simple course of
treatment exists. Research has linked schizophrenia to a multitude of possible
causes, including aspects of brain chemistry and structure, as well as
environmental causes.
Signs:
If two or more of the following signs persist on a regular basis visit your doctor; or http://www.schizophrenia.ca/ for more information.
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech
- Disorganized behavior
- Negative symptoms
- Work or school
- Interpersonal relations
- Self care
- Persist for at least six months
- Sustained mood disorder symptoms during the episode
- The direct effects of substance use
- An underlying medical condition
- A pervasive developmental disorder (such as autism) unless prominent delusions or hallucinations are present.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of schizophrenia are generally divided into three categories: positive, negative and cognitive symptoms.
Positive: Its great to be happy, but when someone is always happy; even when sad events occur it is known as "psychotic". This is because the person has lost touch with reality in certain ways. The term "positive symptoms" refers to mental experiences that are "added on" to a person's usual experience—typically these are hallucinations and delusions.
Negative: To have negative symptoms does not refer to negative thinking, but rather reflect symptoms that indicate reduction of a capacity, such as motivation. Negative symptoms are affiliated with emotional ignorance, lack of expression, an inability to start and follow through with activities, speech that is brief and lacks content and a lack of pleasure or interest in life. Difficulties with social cues and relationships are common. These symptoms challenge rehabilitation efforts, as work and school goals require motivation as well as social function. Negative symptoms can also be confused with clinical depression.
Cognitive: People living with schizophrenia often struggle with executive functioning (prioritizing tasks), memory and organizing thoughts. Cognitive function is involved in many tasks of daily living—especially in work or school settings. A common cognitive deficit associated with this condition is "lack of insight"—when someone is not aware of having an illness. This difficulty in understanding is based in the brain—it is not a choice or psychological denial—and can make treating or working with people who live with schizophrenia much more challenging.
Positive: Its great to be happy, but when someone is always happy; even when sad events occur it is known as "psychotic". This is because the person has lost touch with reality in certain ways. The term "positive symptoms" refers to mental experiences that are "added on" to a person's usual experience—typically these are hallucinations and delusions.
Negative: To have negative symptoms does not refer to negative thinking, but rather reflect symptoms that indicate reduction of a capacity, such as motivation. Negative symptoms are affiliated with emotional ignorance, lack of expression, an inability to start and follow through with activities, speech that is brief and lacks content and a lack of pleasure or interest in life. Difficulties with social cues and relationships are common. These symptoms challenge rehabilitation efforts, as work and school goals require motivation as well as social function. Negative symptoms can also be confused with clinical depression.
Cognitive: People living with schizophrenia often struggle with executive functioning (prioritizing tasks), memory and organizing thoughts. Cognitive function is involved in many tasks of daily living—especially in work or school settings. A common cognitive deficit associated with this condition is "lack of insight"—when someone is not aware of having an illness. This difficulty in understanding is based in the brain—it is not a choice or psychological denial—and can make treating or working with people who live with schizophrenia much more challenging.