Symptoms of Schizophrenia- Causes, Types and Treatment

Types of Schizophrenia: Its Causes, Symptoms, Types and Treatment

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric condition that has severe effects on your physical and mental well-being. This basically interferes with the way the brain works, interfering with things like thoughts, memory, senses, and behaviours. As a result of this interference, it may be difficult to succeed in many areas of your day-to-day life. Untreated schizophrenia often disrupts your relationships, be it professional, social, or romantic. It can also make it difficult for you to think clearly, and you are likely to act in a manner that will leave you liable to get hurt or develop other diseases.

Types of Schizophrenia

Before, psychiatrists used to mention various kinds of schizophrenia, including, such as paranoid schizophrenia and catatonic schizophrenia. However, The types were not really useful for diagnosis or treatment of schizophrenia. Experts instead now view schizophrenia as a spectrum of disorders that involve:

• Brief psychotic disorder
• Schizotypal personality disorder (which also belongs to the personality disorders).
• Delusional disorder
• Schizophreniform disorder
• Schizoaffective disorder
• Other schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders (specific or unspecified). The diagnosis gives the clinician the opportunity to diagnose unusual forms of schizophrenia.

Causes of Schizophrenia

The cause of schizophrenia is still unknown. But like cancer and diabetes, schizophrenia is a real illness with a biological basis. Researchers have found several factors that seem to increase the risk of developing the illness. 

They are:

• Brain chemistry and circuits: People with schizophrenia may not be able to adequately regulate brain chemicals called neurotransmitters that control specific pathways, or "circuits," of nerve cells that affect thinking and behaviour.
• Environment: Viral infections, marijuana, smoking, childhood trauma, social defeat, malnutrition, vitamin D deficiency, social cognition, and lower intelligence quotient may play a part in triggering schizophrenia in people whose genetic makeup puts them at risk. Schizophrenia more often surfaces when the body is having hormonal and physical changes, such as during the teen and young adult years.
• Brain abnormality: Research has found abnormal brain structure in people with schizophrenia. However, this does not apply to all individuals with schizophrenia. It can affect people who do not have the disease.
• Genetics (heredity): Schizophrenia can run in families, which means there is a greater chance that schizophrenia may be passed down from parents to their children.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia affects people in different ways, but there are some common symptoms. These include:

• Lack of motivation
• Psychosis 
• Intact but confused speech and not easy for others to interpret and understand
• Lack of facial expression
• Poor concentration
• Lack of emotional expression

A person may also present before these physical symptoms manifest

• Anxious 
• Out of sorts
• Lacking focus 

To further elaborate on the major symptoms of schizophrenia: 

Delusions

A person with delusions holds a fixed belief about something despite the evidence.

For example, they may believe that:

• They are very special.
• Someone is following them.
• Other people are trying to control their movements from afar.
• They have special powers or the ability to do special things.

Hallucinations

Some people hear voices or see things that are not there. This is the most common type of hallucination, but any of the senses can be involved. For example, someone might also see, feel, taste, or smell things that are not really there.

Disorganized Thinking and Speech

A person's thinking and speech may change in seconds from one subject to another for no logical reason. Their speech may, therefore, be hard to follow.

It may also show memory problems and difficulties in understanding and using information.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Schizophrenia 

There is no single test to diagnose schizophrenia. A comprehensive psychiatric evaluation can assist doctors in reaching a diagnosis. You will need an appointment with your psychiatrist or mental health professional.

You can be asked the following at your appointment:

• History and symptoms of your mental health
• Your medical history
• Your family's medical history

Your doctor will perform the following:

•  Physical exam
• Imaging tests such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan
• Blood work

Sometimes, few symptoms might mimic that of schizophrenia, but there might be a different underlying cause like:

• certain medications
• substance use
• other mental illnesses

Your doctor may diagnose schizophrenia if you have had at least two of the following symptoms for a 1-month period.

•  hallucinations
• disorganized speech
• delusions

There's no cure for schizophrenia. Current treatments focus on reducing the severity and managing symptoms.
It's essential to get treated by a mental health professional or a psychiatrist who has experience treating people with schizophrenia. You might as well work with a social worker or a case manager, too.

Possible Treatments Include the Following:

Medications

The most common treatment for schizophrenia is antipsychotic medication. Hallucinations and delusions can be managed by medication.

Psychosocial Intervention

Psychosocial intervention is another treatment option for schizophrenia. This includes individual therapy to help you cope with stress and illness. Social skills training can enhance social and communication skills.

Rehabilitation and Employment

Vocational rehabilitation can help you acquire the job skills necessary for returning to work. It can make it easier to stay employed throughout the treatment.

Family Support and Education

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, family and friends can ease stress by providing a sense of belonging. There are education programs available for family members to train themselves on how to identify the symptoms and help their loved ones during their difficult moments.

Conclusion

Schizophrenia is a long-term condition that will profoundly affect a person's ability to function. The symptoms of this also cross over and affect the people in their circle.

Treatments are available that shall help a person cope with their symptoms. Added to this is the need for support from family, friends, and community services, which is of great value for people suffering from schizophrenia.