SCHIZOPHRENIA

FAMILY MEMBER/LOVED ONES

-Mental health effects an estimated 54 million Americans

-People with mental issues have a higher rate to fall into drugs which can make some symptoms worse.

-Patients should consult a doctor and see about prescription medications.

-If you feel you may have symptoms to a mental illness not just schizophrenia, talk to a doctor or someone you trust

PATIENT

SYMPTOMS

• Irratable or tense
• Trouble concentrating
• Trouble sleeping

Schizophrenia can be genetic

Experts say that 1 out of 150 people have symptoms of schizophrenia

Some people don't want to come out or seek help because they are delusional and think everyone's against them. So they tend to stay to themselves in terms of confronting someone about it.

This is an uncommon disorder. It also makes the person very sensitive and cautious around other people. They tend to see them as a threat in severe cases. They also tend to have mental lapses or seizure.

How else would one actually get this disorder if they didn't inherit it?

MEDICAL EXPERT

Symptoms:
Patients may become withdrawn or extremely agitated due to beliefs that others are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or planning to hurt them.

Diagnosis:
A psychiatrist or other mental professionals interview the patient and family members and if schizophrenia symptoms have been present for at least six months, patient is significantly impaired by the symptoms, symptoms can't be explained by another diagnosis, such as drugs or another illness.

Treatment:
Antipsychotic medication, individual psychotherapy, cognitive remediation (a behavioral treatment using paper and pencil exercises and drills or a computer-based series of exercises.), family education, self help groups, and electroconvulsive therapy (shocks to the brain while the patient is asleep.)

Works cited:
www.webmd.com
www.nimh.nih.gov