Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is defined as, "any of a group of psychotic disorders, usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances." It is a severe brain disabling disease. Only about one percent of the world's population has or will develop schizophrenia during their lives. More than 2 million Americans suffer from schizophrenia in a year. Even though schizophrenia effects both men and women, it is found earlier in men than in women. In men, it is usually found in the late teens and in women, it is usually found in the late twenties or early thirties.

People who have the disease usually suffer from symptoms such as hearing voices, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts or planning on harming them. These types of symptoms can leave the affected person afraid and withdrawn. Their speech and behavior can be so disorganized that they may be inconceivable or even frightening to those around them. Treatments are available to relieve many symptoms throughout their lives.

The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into one of three categories. These categories are positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms include unusual thoughts or perceptions that include hallucinations and delusions. Negative symptoms include the loss to create plans, express emotion, or find pleasure in life. Occasionally these signs are mistaken for symptoms of laziness or depression. Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are mainly problems with paying attention, memory, and problems with the functions that allow us to plan and organize.

People who live with schizophrenia themselves, should seek help, and accept help when it is given to them. Those who are close to someone who has it, should

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