Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic and disabling mental disorder. The main characteristics of the disease include cognitive impairment, which leads to deteriorating quality of life in professional and social spheres. The
disintegration of the personality and loss of cognitive ability are an especially difficult challenge for both the patient and his or her family. The cases of schizophrenia are found throughout the world in all cultures
and eras, regardless of family type and level of education. The onset of the disease usually occurs between the ages of 15 and 30 (Brichford, 2012). The disease affects men and women with equal frequency. Increased risk of suicide and the health problems cause the low life expectancy, which is 10-12 years less than in people without schizophrenia (Brichford, 2012). Thus, schizophrenia is a serious social and medical issue.
Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia vary depending on the individual.
In general, they include hallucinations, obsessions, chaotic thinking, lack of ambition or emotional responsiveness, depression, anxiety, and other cognitive impairments (Yoffee, 2011). There are three phases of
schizophrenia, namely prodromal, active, and residual one. The first phase is almost an asymptomatic period when the disease and its symptoms are incomplete but the disorder is already developing (Mueser & Jeste, 2011). The active phase is a peak of the disease characterized by hallucinations and delusions (Mueser & Jeste, 2011). Hearing voices in the head is peculiar to this phase of the disorder. The last stage is characterized by
psychosis, memory impairment, and negativism (Mueser & Jeste, 2011).
Pharmacological intervention includes the antipsychotic medicines, which mainly provide the control of the psychotic episodes (Lauriello & Pallanti, 2012). Non-pharmacological interventions include the psychotherapy and psychosocial therapy (Lauriello & Pallanti, 2012). These methods contribute to the search for the new ways of psychosocial and social confrontation of the disease. The important risk factors for the disease are the genetic
predisposition, living conditions in early childhood, neurobiological disorders, and psychological and social interactions (Gaebel, 2011). Many schizophrenics live productive lives even if they do not fully recover.
References
Brichford, C. (2012). Can schizophrenia be prevented? Retrieved from http://www.everydayhealth.com/emotional-
health/schizophrenia/schizophrenia-diagnosis.aspx
Gaebel, W. (Ed.). (2011). Schizophrenia: Current science and clinical practice. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.
Lauriello, J., & Pallanti, S. (2012). Clinical manual for treatment of schizophrenia. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Pub.
Mueser, K. T., & Jeste, T. V. (2011). Clinical handbook of schizophrenia. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Yoffee, L. (2011). Schizophrenia symptoms. Retrieved from
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