Schizophrenia: Losing Touch with Reality

You see the nightmare of schizophrenia is not knowing what is true Imagine if you suddenly learned that the people, the places, the moments most important to you were not gone,

not dead, but worse, had never been What kind of hell would that be? (Quotation: A Beautiful Mind) During this paper the researcher will inform the reader of the misconceptions of the disorder known as schizophrenia, along with the history and effects of schizophrenia and some

possible outcomes of the disorder

Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that causes mental problems where the victim suffers

from hallucinations, distorted thoughts, and detachment from society and reality Some cases have victim who have completely replaced reality with their own world where things happen and

exist in their world that do not exists in the real world Schizophrenia is not a rare disorder

approximately 1% of the worlds population has the disorder Over 2 million people are affected

by the disorder in America (IMHI) Schizophrenia is not sex-linked disorder it occurs in both men and women, although it is easier for men to get the disorder then women, the disorder is

usually shows symptoms in the late stage of puberty and early adult hood, making the most

uncommon cases where children are diagnosed with schizophrenia ( justschizophrenia com)

Diagnosing schizophrenia can be difficult Often a doctor cant make a confirmed diagnosis on the first episode of the disorder the patient must have a few more episodes under

close examination to determine the proper diagnosis The main problem with diagnosis is determining the severity of the patients symptoms and how often the episodes can occur and if

the symptoms will get worse every episode A doctor also has to look for other diagnosis, many

times a doctor can over look schizophrenia as bi-polar disorder Patients often show many of the

same symptoms as bi-polar patients With few cases patients are diagnosed with a dieses called

schizoaffective, this is where a patient is bi-polar and schizophrenic

. .

Schizophrenic patients will demonstrate a verity of schizophrenia Paranoid Schizophrenia

is where a patient is experiencing auditory and visual hallucinations causing them to feel threatened by

anything their mind preserves and a possible risk to themselves Catatonic Schizophrenia is where a

patient loses mobility of a portion of their body or loses all control of themselves In some cases body

parts will begin to act on their own accord, this is a rare form of the disorder

. Disorganized

schizophrenia is where a patients thought process is choppy and disconnected an example best given in this quote (spelling and grammar of the patient has not been changed) I think the

voices in my head are here to help me I think the things I see are hear to, just observe me, just

keep an eye on me I often think I maybe a mastermind power of evil like none other Lots of

times I really hear music clean and clear playing loudly It play whatever im in that mood of

thinking If Im angry or just juiced up I hear death metal or psychobilly When im calm and just

thinking I often hear classical I hear classical more then anything I have always had a problem

with keeping my thoughts in order I cant consintrate sometimes I kinda just drift off and the

world around me disapears If I just stare the whole world becomes gray and then whatevers on

my mind is what I see (Anonymous, 1) Schizophreniform Disorder this disorder involves all of the

previous disorder but also includes manic/depression Schizoid Personality Disorder involves a

detachment from any form of relationship and an inability to express emotion Schizotypal Personality Disorder this disorder is a complete withdrawal from all social relationships, and involves eccentric

behavior and lack of emotions

Treatment for schizophrenia depends on the severity of the patient There is no cure for the

disorder, but symptoms can be managed by a verity of medications The medications help suppress the

symptoms brought on by schizophrenia psychosocial therapy is required to prevent the patient from choosing to not take the medication, many times the patient will feel like the medication is not working or

that they are no longer in need of the medication A support group made up of family and friends will

help keep the patient on their medication

In this I think of myself as never truly aloneeven though I amno relationship has ever

worked positive for me My friends have bailed on me, or I have pushed them away I am truly alone,

but its like when I am sitting home In the dark, all aloneI feel a hand on my shoulder and some time

if I look to see the person who is there I get a quick glimpse of a familiar face that almost looks like me, but its notthe eyes are different and the face is weathered its not me, but I feel connectedthen its gone (schizophrenia diaries) the consequences of not having support groups or anyone to help a patient

can be devastating and fatal Scientist say that there may be a cure for the disorder but for many the cure

will be too late Through this paper the researcher has shown the many symptoms and consequences of

schizophrenia, and ways to treat the symptoms of the disorder

Snyder, Kurt, Raquel E Gur, Linda Wasmer Andrews Me, Myself, and Them New

York: Oxford University Press, 2007

IMHI Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics http://schizophrenia.com/szfacts.htm 19962010 Anonymous. online posting. Schizophrenia Diaries http://schizophreniadiaries.com/schizophrenia-stories/ dealing-with-schizophrenia-withoutmedication

Howard, Ron Quote A Beautiful Mind, 2001

Anonymous. Online posting. Schizophrenia Diaries http://schizophreniadiaries.com/schizophrenia-stories/lsd-fun