Schizophrenia is a psychiatric disorder characterized by changes in the functioning of the mind that causes disturbances of thinking and emotions, changes in behavior, and loss of sense of reality and critical judgment.
Although it is more common between 15 and 35 years, schizophrenia can appear at any age, and usually manifests through different types, such as paranoid, catatonic, herbephrenic or undifferentiated, for example, that present symptoms ranging from hallucinations, illusions, antisocial behavior, loss of motivation, or memory impairment.
Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population, and although it has no cure, it can be well controlled with antipsychotic drugs such as Risperidone, Quetiapine or Clozapine, for example, psychiatrist-oriented, as well as other therapies such as psychotherapy and occupational therapy, as a way to help the patient to rehabilitate and reintegrate into the family and society.
Main symptoms
There are several symptoms that are present in a person with schizophrenia, which may vary according to each person and the type of schizophrenia developed, and include symptoms called positive (which begin to happen), negative (which were normal, but fail to happen ) or cognitive (difficulties in information processing).
The main ones are:
- Delusions, which arise when one strongly believes in something that is not real, such as being persecuted, betrayed, or having superpowers, for example. Understand better what is delusion, types and what causes;
- Hallucinations are vivid and clear perceptions of things that do not exist, such as hearing voices or having visions;
- Disorganized thinking, in which the person speaks disjointed and meaningless things;
- Abnormalities in the way of moving, with uncoordinated and involuntary movements, besides catatonism, characterized by lack of movement, presence of repeated movements, stare, grimaces, speech echo or mute, for example;
- Behavior changes, and there may be psychotic outbreaks, aggression, agitation and suicide risk;
- Negative symptoms, such as loss of will or initiative, lack of emotional expression, social isolation, lack of self-care;
- Lack of attention and concentration ;
- Changes in memory and difficulties in learning.
Schizophrenia can occur suddenly, in days, or gradually, with changes that gradually arise for months to years. Generally, the initial symptoms are perceived by close family members or friends, who notice that the person is more suspicious, confused, disorganized or estranged. Learn more about identifying this disease in symptoms of schizophrenia.
To confirm schizophrenia, the psychiatrist will evaluate the set of signs and symptoms presented by the person and, if necessary, request examinations such as CT or MRI of the skull to rule out other diseases that can cause psychiatric symptoms, such as brain tumor or dementia, for example.
What are the types
Schizophrenia can be classified into different types, according to the main symptoms that the person presents. The main types are:
1. Paranoid schizophrenia
It is the most common type, in which delusions and hallucinations predominate, especially hearing voices, and also common behavioral changes, such as restlessness and restlessness.
2. Catatonic Schizophrenia
It is characterized by the presence of catatonism, in which the person does not react correctly to the environment, there are slow movements or paralysis of the body, in which one can remain in the same position for hours to days, speech slowed or not spoken, repetition of words or phrases that someone has just said, as well as repetition of bizarre movements, holding faces or staring.
It is a less common type of schizophrenia, and more difficult treatment, with risk of complications such as malnutrition or self-injury, for example.
Herbephrenic or Disorganized Schizophrenia
Disorganized thinking predominates, with meaningless and out-of-context speeches, in addition to the presence of negative symptoms, such as lack of interest, social isolation and loss of ability to carry out day-to-day activities.
4. Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
It arises when there are symptoms of schizophrenia, however, the person does not fit the types mentioned.
5. Residual Schizophrenia
It is a chronic form of diseases. It happens when the criteria for schizophrenia have occurred in the past, but are not currently active, however, negative symptoms such as slowing, social isolation, lack of initiative or affection, decreased facial expression or lack of self-care, for example, still persist.
What causes schizophrenia
The exact cause of what causes schizophrenia is still unknown, however, it is known that its development is influenced both by genetics, since there is greater risk within the same family, and by environmental factors, which may include use of drugs such as marijuana, viral infections, parents of advanced age at the time of pregnancy, malnutrition during pregnancy, childbirth complications, negative psychological experiences, or physical or sexual abuse.
How is the treatment done?
The treatment of schizophrenia is directed by the psychiatrist, with antipsychotic medications, such as Risperidone, Quetiapine, Olanzapine or Clozapine, for example, which help control mainly positive symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions or behavioral changes.
Other anti-anxiety medications, such as Diazepam, or mood stabilizers such as Carbamazepine, may be used to relieve symptoms in case of agitation or anxiety, and antidepressants, such as Sertraline, may be indicated in the case of depression.
In addition, it is necessary to perform psychotherapy and occupational therapy, as a way to contribute to a better rehabilitation and reintegration of the patient to social interaction. Family counseling and follow-up by social and community support teams are also important steps to improve treatment effectiveness.
Childhood schizophrenia
Childhood schizophrenia is called early schizophrenia, as it is not uncommon to occur in children. It presents with the same symptoms and the same types as adult schizophrenia, however, it usually has a more gradual onset, often difficult to delimit when it arose.
It is more common to have changes in thinking, with disorganized ideas, delusions, hallucinations and difficult social contact. The treatment is done with the child psychiatrist, with medication, such as Haloperidol, Risperidone or Olanzapine, for example, and it is also important to perform psychotherapy, occupational therapy and family counseling.
