The earlier someone with schizophrenia is diagnosed and stabilized on treatment, the better the long-term prognosis for their illness
Teen suicide is a growing problem — and teens with schizophrenia have approximately a 50% risk of attempted suicide
In rare instances, children as young as five can develop schizophrenia.
Anti-psychotic medications are the generally recommended treatment for schizophrenia. If medication for schizophrenia is discontinued, the relapse rate is about 80 percent within 2 years. With continued drug treatment, only about 40 percent of recovered patients will suffer relapses.( Source: NIMH)
Wide variation occurs in the course of schizophrenia. Some people have psychotic episodes of illness lasting weeks or months with full remission of their symptoms between each episode; others have a fluctuating course in which symptoms are continuous but rise and fall in intensity; others have relatively little variation in the symptoms of their illness over time. At one end of the spectrum, the person has a single psychotic episode of schizophrenia followed by complete recovery; at the other end of the spectrum is a course in which the illness never abates and debilitating effects increase. (source: Openthedoors). Recent research increasingly shows that the disease process of schizophrenia gradually and significantly damages the brain of the person, and that earlier treatments (medications and other therapies) seem to result in less damage over time.
Therefore, the approximate number of people in the United States suffering from:
Early intervention and early use of new medications lead to better medical outcomes for the individual
The earlier someone with schizophrenia is diagnosed and stabilized on treatment, the better the long-term prognosis for their illness
Teen suicide is a growing problem — and teens with schizophrenia have approximately a 50% risk of attempted suicide
In rare instances, children as young as five can develop schizophrenia.
Anti-psychotic medications are the generally recommended treatment for schizophrenia. If medication for schizophrenia is discontinued, the relapse rate is about 80 percent within 2 years. With continued drug treatment, only about 40 percent of recovered patients will suffer relapses.( Source: NIMH)
Wide variation occurs in the course of schizophrenia. Some people have psychotic episodes of illness lasting weeks or months with full remission of their symptoms between each episode; others have a fluctuating course in which symptoms are continuous but rise and fall in intensity; others have relatively little variation in the symptoms of their illness over time. At one end of the spectrum, the person has a single psychotic episode of schizophrenia followed by complete recovery; at the other end of the spectrum is a course in which the illness never abates and debilitating effects increase. (source: Openthedoors). Recent research increasingly shows that the disease process of schizophrenia gradually and significantly damages the brain of the person, and that earlier treatments (medications and other therapies) seem to result in less damage over time (source: UCLA NeuroImaging Lab , Other info – see “Early Treatment” section of this page).
Schizophrenia ‘is a cruel disease. that affects the brain and the patients develop symptoms of Delusions, hallucinate,altered sensations,an inability to sort and interpret incoming sensations, and an inability therefore to respond appropriately ,an erratic and totally unexpected behavior.
They hear voices and obey voices they imagine they hear and they may enter depression and high elation alternatively.
Schizophrenia symptoms.
All of us have emotions , but they are at an acceptable level
In the case of Schizophrenic patients,their reaction is disproportionate to the sensations or events.
They become hysterical, though all hysteria does not translate into Schizophrenia.
We feel very low and highly elated at time.
We do not normally sink into despair in the former case nor do we go out of control in the latter.
In the case of the Schizophrenic patients, they either go into depression or Manic or hyper activity when they are happy or in agreeable conditions
this goes to such an extent, in the initial stages, we take these reactions to be normal.
But as it develops it becomes unbearable and one does not know how to deal with it.
The patients may harm themselves or others.
They may not know what they have been upto for they will return to normalcy in a jiffy to begin with and be normal.
But these will gaps between normal and abnormal behaviour will increase and slowly they will lose touch with Reality and be totally unconnected to what is happening around them.
Who gets Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia affects men and women equally. It occurs at similar rates in all ethnic groups around the world. Symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions usually start between ages 16 and 30. Men tend to experience symptoms a little earlier than women. Most of the time, people do not get schizophrenia after age 45.3Schizophrenia rarely occurs in children, but awareness of childhood-onset schizophrenia is increasing.4,5
It can be difficult to diagnose schizophrenia in teens. This is because the first signs can include a change of friends, a drop in grades, sleep problems, and irritability—behaviors that are common among teens. A combination of factors can predict schizophrenia in up to 80 percent of youth who are at high risk of developing the illness. These factors include isolating oneself and withdrawing from others, an increase in unusual thoughts and suspicions, and a family history of psychosis.6 In young people who develop the disease, this stage of the disorder is called the “prodromal” period.
The Symptoms of Schizophrenia.
Social withdrawal
Hostility or suspiciousness
Deterioration of personal hygiene
Flat, expressionless gaze
Inability to cry or express joy
Inappropriate laughter or crying
Depression
Oversleeping or insomnia
Odd or irrational statements
Forgetful; unable to concentrate
Extreme reaction to criticism
Strange use of words or way of speaking
While these warning signs can result from a number of problems—not just schizophrenia—they are cause for concern. When out-of-the-ordinary behavior is causing problems in your life or the life of a loved one, seek medical advice. If schizophrenia or another mental problem is the cause, treatment will help.
Misconceptions about Schizophrenia.
MYTH: Schizophrenia refers to a “split personality” or multiple personalities.
FACT: Multiple personality disorder is a different and much less common disorder than schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia do not have split personalities. Rather, they are “split off” from reality.
MYTH: Schizophrenia is a rare condition.
FACT: Schizophrenia is not rare; the lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia is widely accepted to be around 1 in 100.
MYTH: People with schizophrenia are dangerous.
FACT: Although the delusional thoughts and hallucinations of schizophrenia sometimes lead to violent behavior, most people with schizophrenia are neither violent nor a danger to others.(This is debatable)
MYTH: People with schizophrenia can’t be helped.
FACT: While long-term treatment may be required, the outlook for schizophrenia is not hopeless. When treated properly, many people with schizophrenia are able to enjoy life and function within their families and communities.
Delusions
A delusion is a firmly-held idea that a person has despite clear and obvious evidence that it isn’t true. Delusions are extremely common in schizophrenia, occurring in more than 90% of those who have the disorder. Often, these delusions involve illogical or bizarre ideas or fantasies. Common schizophrenic delusions include:
Delusions of persecution – Belief that others, often a vague “they,” are out to get him or her. These persecutory delusions often involve bizarre ideas and plots (e.g. “Martians are trying to poison me with radioactive particles delivered through my tap water”).
Delusions of reference – A neutral environmental event is believed to have a special and personal meaning. For example, a person with schizophrenia might believe a billboard or a person on TV is sending a message meant specifically for them.
Delusions of grandeur – Belief that one is a famous or important figure, such as Jesus Christ or Napolean. Alternately, delusions of grandeur may involve the belief that one has unusual powers that no one else has (e.g. the ability to fly).
Delusions of control – Belief that one’s thoughts or actions are being controlled by outside, alien forces. Common delusions of control include thought broadcasting (“My private thoughts are being transmitted to others”), thought insertion (“Someone is planting thoughts in my head”), and thought withdrawal (“The CIA is robbing me of my thoughts”).
Hallucinations
Hallucinations are sounds or other sensations experienced as real when they exist only in the person’s mind. While hallucinations can involve any of the five senses, auditory hallucinations (e.g. hearing voices or some other sound) are most common in schizophrenia. Visual hallucinations are also relatively common. Research suggests that auditory hallucinations occur when people misinterpret their own inner self-talk as coming from an outside source.
Schizophrenic hallucinations are usually meaningful to the person experiencing them. Many times, the voices are those of someone they know. Most commonly, the voices are critical, vulgar, or abusive. Hallucinations also tend to be worse when the person is alone.
Disorganized speech
Fragmented thinking is characteristic of schizophrenia. Externally, it can be observed in the way a person speaks. People with schizophrenia tend to have trouble concentrating and maintaining a train of thought. They may respond to queries with an unrelated answer, start sentences with one topic and end somewhere completely different, speak incoherently, or say illogical things.
Common signs of disorganized speech in schizophrenia include:
Loose associations – Rapidly shifting from topic to topic, with no connection between one thought and the next.
Neologisms – Made-up words or phrases that only have meaning to the patient.
Perseveration – Repetition of words and statements; saying the same thing over and over.
Clang – Meaningless use of rhyming words (“I said the bread and read the shed and fed Ned at the head”).
Disorganized behavior
Schizophrenia disrupts goal-directed activity, causing impairments in a person’s ability to take care of him or herself, work, and interact with others. Disorganized behavior appears as:
A decline in overall daily functioning
Unpredictable or inappropriate emotional responses
Behaviors that appear bizarre and have no purpose
Lack of inhibition and impulse control
Negative symptoms (absence of normal behaviors)
The so-called “negative” symptoms of schizophrenia refer to the absence of normal behaviors found in healthy individuals. Common negative symptoms of schizophrenia include:
Lack of emotional expression – Inexpressive face, including a flat voice, lack of eye contact, and blank or restricted facial expressions.
Lack of interest or enthusiasm – Problems with motivation; lack of self-care.
Seeming lack of interest in the world – Apparent unawareness of the environment; social withdrawal.
Speech difficulties and abnormalities – Inability to carry a conversation; short and sometimes disconnected replies to questions; speaking in monotone.
Types of schizophrenia
There are three major subtypes of schizophrenia, each classified by their most prominent symptom:
paranoid schizophrenia
disorganized schizophrenia
catatonic schizophrenia
Signs and symptoms of paranoid schizophrenia
The defining feature of paranoid schizophrenia is absurd or suspicious ideas and beliefs. These ideas typically revolve around a coherent, organized theme or “story” that remains consistent over time. Delusions of persecution are the most frequent theme, however delusions of grandeur are also common.
People with paranoid schizophrenia show a history of increasing paranoia and difficulties in their relationships. They tend to function better than individuals with other schizophrenic subtypes. In contrast, their thinking and behavior is less disordered and their long-term prognosis is better.
Signs and symptoms of disorganized schizophrenia
Disorganized schizophrenia generally appears at an earlier age than other types of schizophrenia. Its onset is gradual, rather than abrupt, with the person gradually retreating into his or her fantasies.
The distinguishing characteristics of this subtype are disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, and blunted or inappropriate emotions. People with disorganized schizophrenia also have trouble taking care of themselves, and may be unable to perform simple tasks such as bathing or feeding themselves.
The symptoms of disorganized schizophrenia include:
Impaired communication skills
Incomprehensible or illogical speech
Inappropriate reactions (e.g. laughing at a funeral)
Emotional indifference
Infantile behavior (baby talk, giggling)
Peculiar facial expressions and mannerisms
People with disorganized schizophrenia sometimes suffer from hallucinations and delusions, but unlike the paranoid subtype, their fantasies aren’t consistent or organized.
Causes:
The causes of schizophrenia are not fully known. However, it appears that schizophrenia usually results from a complex interaction between genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic causes of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia has a strong hereditary component. Individuals with a first-degree relative (parent or sibling) who has schizophrenia have a 10 percent chance of developing the disorder, as opposed to the 1 percent chance of the general population.
But schizophrenia is only influenced by genetics, not determined by it. While schizophrenia runs in families, about 60% of schizophrenics have no family members with the disorder. Furthermore, individuals who are genetically predisposed to schizophrenia don’t always develop the disease, which shows that biology is not destiny.
Environmental causes of schizophrenia
Twin and adoption studies suggest that inherited genes make a person vulnerable to schizophrenia and then environmental factors act on this vulnerability to trigger the disorder.
As for the environmental factors involved, more and more research is pointing to stress, either during pregnancy or at a later stage of development. High levels of stress are believed to trigger schizophrenia by increasing the body’s production of the hormone cortisol.
Research points to several stress-inducing environmental factors that may be involved in schizophrenia, including:
Prenatal exposure to a viral infection
Low oxygen levels during birth (from prolonged labor or premature birth)
Exposure to a virus during infancy
Early parental loss or separation
Physical or sexual abuse in childhood
Abnormal brain structure
In addition to abnormal brain chemistry, abnormalities in brain structure may also play a role in schizophrenia. Enlarged brain ventricles are seen in some schizophrenics, indicating a deficit in the volume of brain tissue. There is also evidence of abnormally low activity in the frontal lobe, the area of the brain responsible for planning, reasoning, and decision-making.
Some studies also suggest that abnormalities in the temporal lobes, hippocampus, and amygdala are connected to schizophrenia’s positive symptoms. But despite the evidence of brain abnormalities, it is highly unlikely that schizophrenia is the result of any one problem in any one region of the brain.
Effects of schizophrenia
When the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia are ignored or improperly treated, the effects can be devastating both to the individual with the disorder and those around him or her. Some of the possible effects of schizophrenia are:
Relationship problems. Relationships suffer because people with schizophrenia often withdraw and isolate themselves. Paranoia can also cause a person with schizophrenia to be suspicious of friends and family.
Disruption to normal daily activities. Schizophrenia causes significant disruptions to daily functioning, both because of social difficulties and because everyday tasks become hard, if not impossible to do. A schizophrenic person’s delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thoughts typically prevent him or her from doing normal things like bathing, eating, or running errands.
Alcohol and drug abuse. People with schizophrenia frequently develop problems with alcohol ordrugs, which are often used in an attempt to self-medicate, or relieve symptoms. In addition, they may also be heavy smokers, a complicating situation as cigarette smoke can interfere with the effectiveness of medications prescribed for the disorder.
Increased suicide risk. People with schizophrenia have a high risk of attempting suicide. Any suicidal talk, threats, or gestures should be taken very seriously. People with schizophrenia are especially likely to commit suicide during psychotic episodes, during periods of depression, and in the first six months after they’ve started treatment.
I have been often maintaining that the present generation is well-informed, plan better, organize their careers and systematically take care of things material.
Suicide Quote.
The area they seem to lack is the mental toughness to handle Life.
They sound alright till they have everything going their way, cushy job, material comforts starting from a Smartphone to own Home.
But once they encounter a slight problem in what they imagine to be Perfect World, their world comes apart.
It might be the denial of a Smartphone ‘ loss of a Job or a troubled relationship.
They seek solace in Drinks and Drugs.
They remain depressed, seek the help of a Psychiatrist.
And there is a stigma attached to visiting a Psychiatrist.Even in advanced countries like the US, once the Employer knows you had been consulting a Psychiatrist, your chances of getting a job gets reduced.
What one needs is Character , application and the wisdom to understand that, well..’ Life is Bitchy: it can toss you around for no fault of yours.
This process takes longer.
Another course of action is to confide in Family elders, a rare commodity or in friends, again rarer.
The next best for immediate solution is the Anonymous Help where Trained professionals , who have no axe to grind against you, with whom your problems will remain confidential.A world wide Suicide Help Line is available.
I am providing the details and Link.
Best is to be tough in meeting Life’s problems and not give up.
“Are you having trouble coming out or just need someone to talk to? Do you know someone who is having suicidal thoughts? We have made a list of some very useful organizations that were made just to help you. First, choose your country from the list below.
Don’t want to call anyone? You don’t have to. Click here to watch videos made by people who’ve been through their coming out process.
India Helplines.
B12, Nilamber Complex, Near Xavier’s College Corner, HL Commerce College Road, Navrangpura
Ahmedabad
38009
India
English: Diagram representation of personal space limits. Inspired by Reaction-bubble.png by Libb Thims (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
1.Family Problems.
Nobody likes to listen to a whiner.Your problems are yours.
Some times people may make use of this and try to mislead you with solutions and may even swindle you out, at the least.
Taking advice from faceless people is dangerous.
A youth committed suicide by falling in love with a girl who he found on the internet. On hearing from her that she was engaged to some body else(untrue ,of course).Pity is that the boy did not see the girl’s photo at all for she sent him her friend’s photo!
2.Your Problems
It is better to avoid mentioning personal problems as well.
3.Self Deprecation.
Sentimental outpourings may give you temporary relief.
To post this on the internet is to invite unscrupulous elements to cheat you.
If need be, share your problems with your close friends.
4.Shirtless or in Skimpy Clothes.
Basically it is bad manners. Some one may misuse the visible personal marks .
There have been instances where people used this to obtain a Passport.
5.Abnormal Hobbies
Remember the Profile is read by every one including your relatives and friends.
I have rejected a girl with whom my son’s marriage was more or less finalised, when I saw her profile ,activity and pictures in Orkut.
These type of postings may harm your personal life.
8.Professional Details.It is not safe to divulge the exact details.
By the year 2015, 60% of employers will monitor social media pages of their employees, a new report by data analysts Gartner has claimed pages.html#ixzz1wYBndIAC
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Many employers already monitor their workers’ Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages – but the practice is set to increase.
By the year 2015, 60% of employers will monitor social media pages of their employees, a new report by data analysts Gartner has claimed.
The ‘Big Brother’ monitoring will be driven by security worries about employees leaking information or talking negatively about their workplace.
‘The growth in monitoring employee behavior in digital environments is increasingly enabled by new technology and services,’ said Andrew Walls, research vice president of Gartner.
‘Surveillance of individuals, however, can both mitigate and create risk, which must be managed carefully to comply with ethical and legal standards.’
Most employers will use their monitoring to prevent security breaches – but simply having the technology at their disposal will be a huge temptation to managers who want to know more about their staff.
‘The development of effective security intelligence and control depends on the ability to capture and analyse user actions that take place inside and outside the enterprise IT environment,’ says Walls.
Walls predicts that the practice – increasingly common in America – of asking for Facebook passwords as part of job interviews, will fade out of fashion.
Earlier this year, Facebook said it has ‘seen a distressing increase in reports of employers or others seeking to gain inappropriate access to people’s Facebook profiles or private information.’
Internet has opened up new frontiers of information and knowledge.
Those with the Aptitude can now get what they seek in their quest.
At the same time it also has noticeable disadvantages ,apart from browsing porn,is total reclusivity from other activities.
Browsing Social Network,people tend to forget that this can never replace person to person contact and being empathetic with others.
Emotions can never be shared effectively unless they are shared in person.
Over dependence might lead to Internet addiction, as in Mobile Addiction.
Some signs of Internet addiction are:
Internet addiction disorder (IAD), or, more broadly, Internet overuse, problematic computer use or pathological computer use, is excessive computer use that interferes with daily life.[1] These terms avoid the distracting and divisive term addiction and are not limited to any single cause.
Online activities which, if done in person, would normally be considered troublesome, such as compulsive gambling or shopping, are sometimes called net compulsions. Others, such as reading or playing computer games, are troubling only to the extent that these activities interfere with normal life. Supporters of disorder classification often divide IAD into subtypes by activity, such as excessive, overwhelming, or inappropriate pornography use,gaming, online social networking, blogging, email, or Internet shopping,Opponents note that compulsive behaviors may not themselves be addictive.
Start by listing the things you do online. Organize them according to importance. Probably the one at the top of your list is not that important but is the major cause of your addiction.
Now list the benefits you will get if you reduce the time you are on the Internet. These could be increasing productivity, better relationship with family and friends, or becoming healthier.
Set the limits. If you have household chores, tasks at work, or anything that you need to do, do them first, then allot time to spend online each day. Don’t forget to allot enough time to sleep as well.
Strictly follow the schedule. Make a punishment if you don’t follow it. It can be as severe as having your Internet connection at home cut off or not logging on the Internet for a day.
The use of the Internet is not really evil, but it can turn that way if its use is not kept in check. It surely is difficult to quit spending a lot of time on the Internet, that is why you must have other things to do like going out with friends, or engaging in a new sport. The Internet is not life.
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