DISORGANIZED SCHIZOPHRENIA

Disorganized schizophrenia, or hebephrenia, refers to incoherent and illogical thoughts and behaviors related to schizophrenia.

Experts are not sure what causes schizophrenia but research suggests there is some kind of brain dysfunction, probably influenced by a combination of biological and environmental factors.

Chemicals in the brain - such as the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin - may be involved in the onset of schizophrenia.

The condition could be caused by faulty cell-to-cell signaling in the brain. Scientists in the study identified 49 genes that work differently in the brains of schizophrenia patients compared to controls.

SYMPTOMS

• Delusions
• Hallucinations
• Disorganized Speech and Thoughts
• Disorganized or Chaotic Behavior
• Lack of personal hygiene, social withdrawal, and the inability to show emotion

People with disorganized schizophrenia will need treatment on a regular basis. If the patient stops using the treatments, even if symptoms seemed to have gone away, the symptoms will usually return.

TREATMENTS

• Medication
• Hospitalization
• Psychotherapy
• Social & Vocational Skills Training
• Electroconvulsive Therapy

UNDIFFERENTIATED SCHIZOPHRENIA

A diagnosis of undifferentiated schizophrenia is given when a patient has been exhibiting symptoms of schizophrenia, yet the symptoms don’t meet the criteria for disorganized, catatonic, or paranoid schizophrenia.

SYMPTOMS

• Hallucinations
• Disorganized Speech
• Catatonic or Extremely Disorganized Behavior
• Show Little Emotion
• Low Energy
• Paranoia
• Social Withdrawal

Scientists still do not know what causes undifferentiated schizophrenia. Most people will tell you that schizophrenia is caused by genetic and environmental triggers. Some think that traumatic experiences in early years, exposures to toxins, and brain development abnormalities can contribute to the mental illness. In the cases of undifferentiated schizophrenia, there could be a variety of dysfunction within the brain. There are a variety of theories, but no conclusive evidence regarding causes.

TREATMENTS

• Antipsychotics
• Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
• Psychotherapy
• Vocational Skills Training

SCHIZOPHRENIA STATS

• Men and women have equal rates of schizophrenia
• Men may manifest symptoms of schizophrenia earlier than women
• Children and people over 45 rarely get schizophrenia
• 25% of people have experienced recovery
• 35% are much improved and living independently
• 15% are improved but require constant support
• 10% are hospitalized
• 15% are dead, mostly of suicide

FAMOUS PEOPLE

• Peter Green
• Darrell Hammond
• Lionel Aldridge
• Syd Barrett
• John Hinckley Jr.
• Edward Einstein

SOURCES

• Medicalnewstoday.com
• Mentalhealthdaily.com
• Schizophrenic.com
• Healthyplace.com