Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotions and perceives reality. Schizophrenia tends to occur in teenage years or in early adulthood. Schizophrenia occurs when there is a disturbance in the chemicals responsible for the brains messaging system.

Symptoms

• Symptoms can vary from person to person, generally symptoms are categorized into three:

Positive symptoms:

• (those abnormally present) Hallucinations such as hearing voices or seeing things that do not exit,paranoia, distorted beliefs and perceptions.

Negative symptoms:

• Loss of interest to do things, loss or decrease in ability to speak, express emotion, or find pleasure.

Disorganized symptoms:

• Confused and disordered thinking and speech, trouble with logical thinking and bizarre behavior or abnormal movements.

Diagnosis

• Management of schizophrenia involves controlling symptoms with antipsychotic medications and providing emotional and psychological support with counselling sessions and occupational therapy.