Signs of Schizophrenia (Psychiatric disease)

Schizophrenia (Psychiatric Disease)

Description

A disease characterized by a distorted interpretation of reality resulting in hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behavior. Contrary to belief it does not mean a split personality. Untreated, the disease can cause severe emotional, behavioral, health, and legal and financial problems. Lifelong treatment is needed, and can enable patients to live normal productive lives. This is a serious mental disorder with about 10% of patients committing suicide. The disease usually first appears in the teenage years.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically begin gradually and worsen with time and include: trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, withdrawing from family and friends, bizarre motor behavior in which there is less reaction to the environment (catatonic behavior), false beliefs or thoughts (delusions), hearing voices, seeing things, thoughts race between unrelated topics (disordered thinking).

Tests

A history and physical exam will be performed. Tests may be done to rule out other causes of the symptoms such as thyroid disease, electrolyte problems, drug abuse, and adverse drug interactions.

Standard Workup

Chem 12

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms but may include: antipsychotic medications (haloperidol/Haldol, clozapine/Clozaril, risperidone/Risperdal, olanzapine/Zyprexa, quetiapine/Seroquel, ziprasidone/Geodon, aripiprazole/Abilify, paliperidone/Invega), psychiatric and psychologic counseling, and/or hospitalizations.