Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition.
Its not the most common mental illness, but it can be the most chronic and disabling.
Symptoms like delusions and hallucinations can vary from person to person.
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There is no cure for schizophrenia, but most symptoms can be effectively treated and quality of life improved.
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What Are the Early Signs of Schizophrenia?
Theearly signs of schizophreniainclude slow but steady changes in someones mood, thinking, and social functioning.
Early signs often occur in adolescence, making it hard to distinguish between symptoms and nonspecific adolescent behavioral changes.
Psychosis as an Early Sign
A first episode ofpsychosisis the most telltale early sign of schizophrenia.
Psychosis is a mental state in which an individual cannot tell the difference between whats real or imagined.
It comes up whenever theres a disruption in typical brain functioning.
Types of Schizophrenia Symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia are categorized by jot down.
Each throw in has an impact on personal, family, social, educational, and career functioning.
Negative symptoms may be mistaken for signs of depression.
They include:
What Causes Schizophrenia?
Research suggests a combination of risk factors related to genetics and environmental factors influence whethersomeone may develop schizophrenia.
Genetic factors can be seen in twin studies.
For nonidentical twins, there is a 1 in 8 chance.
Who Gets Schizophrenia?
Anyone can develop schizophrenia.
Does Age or Gender Play a Role?
Males often receive a diagnosis earlier in life than females.
How Is Schizophrenia Diagnosed?
Diagnosis Complications
Schizophrenia diagnosis may be complicated by other neurological and medical illnesses or substances mimicking symptoms.
Another challenge is that people with schizophrenia may not believe they have symptoms.
How Is Schizophrenia Treated?
Treatment goals include helping someone manage their symptoms, improve functioning, and achieve life goals.
People with schizophrenia are actually more likely to be harmed by others.
Whats the Outlook for People With Schizophrenia?
People with schizophrenia can lead independent, productive, and rewarding lives.
Many people may experience symptom remission while others continue to experience symptom relapses.
Optimism is said to play a positive role in outcome.
Can Schizophrenia Be Prevented?
Treatments to prevent schizophrenia continue to be studied.
Summary
Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition with a spectrum of symptoms ranging in severity.
Causes are complex and involve genetic and environmental factors.
Schizophrenia can affect anyone.
There is no cure or known prevention for schizophrenia.
Getting a diagnosis can be complicated.
Several treatments can reduce symptoms and improve all aspects of everyday functioning.
People with schizophrenia are no more violent or dangerous than anyone else.
National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.
American Psychiatric Association.What is schizophrenia?
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Schizophrenia.
National Health Service.Schizophrenia causes.
2019;176(10):794-810. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19080865
