Cowper and Mental Illness

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that has affected people all throughout history. People who have this disorder commonly hear voices which can make them very paranoid. There are treatments today that help people deal with this disorder but most people have to live with symptoms. Genes and environment can cause schizophrenia. The illness occurs in just one percent of the population but is more common among those who have relatives with schizophrenia. Another cause involves different brain chemistry and structure. Chemical reactions in the brain involving dopamine, glutamate, and other possible chemicals play a role in the development of schizophrenia. The brains of people with this disorder are different from a typical "healthy" brain. Some of the problems with the brain can be traced back to the time in the womb. Schizophrenia affects both men and women equally. Symptoms of the disorder usually occur between the ages of sixteen an thirty. It can be difficult to diagnose schizophrenia properly with teens as many of the symptoms are already related with normal teenage behavior (i.e., change in friends, drop in grades, sleep problems, and irritability). Symptoms of schizophrenia are either positive, negative, or cognitive. Positive symptoms are the psychotic behaviors not seen in "healthy" people. These include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, and movement disorders. Negative symptoms are related to a disruption regarding normal emotions and behaviors. These include the "flat effect" (a person's face does not move or the person speaks in a dull voice), lack of pleasure in everyday life, inability to begin and keep up with planned activities, speaking very little even when forced to. Cognitive symptoms are very subtle. These include having a hard time understanding information and using it to make decisions, problems focusing or paying attention, and not being able to effectively use information right after learning it. Treatments for schizophrenia involve antipsychotic medications and various psychosocial treatments. Some people have side-effects when taking these medications. Most of these go away within a few days and can be managed successfully. Antipsychotics are usually in a pill or liquid form but can be taken by shots once or twice a month. They can produce dangerous side effects when taken with other medications so it is important that the doctor knows exactly what the patient is taking in regards to other medications or herbal substances. Patients who receive psychosocial treatment are more likely to keep taking their antipsychotic medications. Oftentimes people with schizophrenia resist treatment because they believe their hallucinations are real. It is difficult for family members and friends to get a loved one help. Those who have schizophrenia need the help of their loved ones to make sure they are taken medications and are not falling into substance abuse.

http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/default.htm?names-dropdown=OR
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/36942.php