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Schizophrenia-- What is it?
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Schizophrenia---What Is It? What exactly is Schizophrenia? It is a disease that strikes young people in their prime. This disease distorts the senses, making it very difficult for the individual to tell what is real from what is not. The usual onset of this disorder is between the ages of sixteen and twenty five. With this disease they will have a disorder that will last for at least six months and includes at least one month of active phase symptoms (i.e. two [or more] of the following delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior). Only one symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the persons behavior or thoughts and if there are two or more conversing with each other. The essential features of schizophrenia are a mixtures of characteristic signs and symptoms which can be either positive or negative. These are broken down into criterions, which range from A thru F. Criterion A May be conceptualized as falling into two broad categories, negative or positive. The positive symptoms appear to reflect an excessive or distortion of normal function, whereas the negative symptoms appear to diminution or loss of normal functions. Criterion A-1 are delusions that are erroneous beliefs that usually involve misinterpretations of perceptions or experiences, their content may include a variety of themes. Persecutory delusion are the most common; the person believes he or she is being tormented, followed, tricked, spied on or subjected to ridicule. Refential delusions are also common; the person believes that certain gestures or environmental cues are specifically directed to them. Criterion A-2 are hallucinations may occur in any sensory modality (e.g. auditory or visual etc.) but auditory hallucinations are by far the most common and characteristic of schizophrenia. Auditory hallucinations are usually experienced as voices whether familiar or unfamiliar, that are perceived as distinct from the person's own thoughts. The content may vary quite a bit, although, threatening voices are especially common. If these hallucinations only occur when falling asleep or waking up they are considered to be within the range of normal experiences. Criterion B These one or more signs and symptoms are associated with marked social or occupational dysfunction. Interpersonal relations, work, education or self care is functioning below that which have been achieved before the onset of symptoms. If the onset is in childhood or adolescence there may be a failure to achieve what would have been expected rather that a deterioration in functioning. Criterion C Prodromal (an early symptom of a disease, often different in nature from the later symptoms) symptoms are present for a continuous six months. They are often present prior to the active phase and residual symptoms may follow. Some prodromal and residual symptoms may be mild or sub-threshold forms of the positive symptoms in criterion A. In addition to these positive and negative like symptoms are particularly common in prodromal and residual phase and can often be quite severe. Individuals who had been socially active may become withdrawn; they lose interest in previously pleasurable activities; they may become less talkative and inquisitive. Criterion D &E These are individuals who has had a previous diagnosis of autistic disorder or another pervasive developmental disorder. They will be diagnosed with schizophrenia only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are present for one month. Criterion F The characteristic symptoms involve a range of cognitive and emotional dysfunctions that include perception, inferential thinking, language and communication monitoring, affect, fluency and productivity of thought and speech, hedonic capacity, volition and drive and attention.
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