Schizophrenia is a disorder in the brain that affects the way a person acts, thinks, and sees the world. People with schizophrenia have a distorted perception of reality, and often lose touch with the real world. They may see or hear things that don't exist, say strange and incomprehensible things, and believe that others are trying to harm them, or feel constant surveillance. With such blurred boundaries people are not even able to live a normal, natural life. They can lose contact with the real world, hide from everyone and behave very strangely, since they are guided by fear and confusion.
Psychiatrists expose the diagnosis of schizophrenia very carefully. After all, this is a kind of final sentence. Though the diagnosis is not immediately put, however, it is required to know the first signs of schizophrenia, to be able to suspect this pathology and go to a psychiatrist and start adequate treatment.
Some people believe that schizophrenia is always manifested by delusions or hallucinations, in fact the first symptoms of schizophrenia can be diverse: it can be emotional disturbances, and changes of interests and the appearance of unexplained obsessive fears, etc.
The majority of patients with schizophrenia feel the disease begins with sensory dullness. At first, emotions in relation to the closest people – parents, wife, husband and children weaken. Quite often, not just feelings may weaken but also an emotional inadequacy may develop. Unfounded anger, irritation, aggression to the closest people may appear. Although relationships with acquaintances, friends, with people that do not require spiritual intimacy can stay at the same level.Even gut feelings can weaken. Patients become less sensitive to starvation, they can skip lunch, dinner, not because they are not hungry, but because they lose interest in food. They become untidy, can wear the same clothes for a long time (dirty, torn).
Sometimes emotional disorders develop after some time after onset of the disease. Wherein the first the first symptoms of schizophrenia – delusions and hallucinations appear.
Among the main topics of delusions that are characteristic to schizophrenia, there are delusions of influence, harassment and relationships.
Schizophrenia is closely related to genetics. People with 1 degree of kinship (parents, brother or sister) have a 10% chance of development of this disorder, while the total population of the planet has 1% risk only. (Haggerty, 2015).
However, not only genetic factors influenced on the development of schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is often found in the family, but about 60% of schizophrenics have no family members affected by such a disorder. Moreover, people who genetically seem more likely to develop schizophrenia do not always suffer from this disease.
Nowadays, it is impossible to overcome the disease completely. However, there are remedies that can to help control symptoms and improve the quality of life of patients. Treatment of schizophrenia may be necessary for a long time, perhaps throughout life. (Nordqvist, 2015).
Antipsychotic drugs are some of the choices of medical intervention that could reduce the symptoms of the disease. In addition to the weakening of symptoms, regular intake of antipsychotic medication in accordance with doctor's appointments can help to stabilize the patient. Patients that are taking antipsychotic medications in accordance with doctor's appointments, are much more likely to be in a healthy condition and do not require hospitalization. Although schizophrenia is not curable, the reception of special tools can help the person suffering from this disease, to normalize his life.
References
Haggerty, J. (2015). Do People Inherit Schizophrenia?. Psych Central.com. Retrieved 18 July 2015, from http://psychcentral.com/lib/do-people-inherit-schizophrenia/
Nordqvist, C. (2015). "What Is Schizophrenia? What Causes Schizophrenia?." Medical News Today. Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/36942.php.
