Q: What is schizophrenia?

According to the <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">National Institute of Mental Health</a>, schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition that has an effect on how a person thinks, behaves, and feels. Patients who have schizophrenia tend to deduce reality unusually. The symptoms of schizophrenia generally fall under three categories: psychotic symptoms, cognitive symptoms, and negative symptoms. Psychotic symptoms include distorted perceptions, such as hallucinations and delusions. Cognitive symptoms include difficulties in memory, concentration, and attention. Negative symptoms manifest as loss of motivation, difficulty showing emotions, disinterest in daily activities, and difficulty functioning normally. If left untreated, schizophrenia can lead to severe problems that can impede every area of the patient&#39;s life. These severe problems include suicidal thoughts and acts, anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, and social isolation.

Q: What can trigger schizophrenia?

According to the <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/sync-20354443" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mayo Clinic</a>, schizophrenia can be triggered by a combination of genetic, brain chemistry, and environmental factors. Problems with certain occurring chemicals known as dopamine and glutamate are thought to contribute to schizophrenia. However, the precise cause of schizophrenia is still unknown. Some of the factors that increase the risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia include: <ul role="presentation"> <li>Having a family with a history of schizophrenia</li><li>Taking mind-altering drugs, especially in teen and young adulthood</li><li>Some pregnancy and birth complications like exposure to toxins and malnutrition</li> </ul>

Question 1

What is schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition that has an effect on how a person thinks, behaves, and feels. Patients who have schizophrenia tend to deduce reality unusually.

The symptoms of schizophrenia generally fall under three categories: psychotic symptoms, cognitive symptoms, and negative symptoms. Psychotic symptoms include distorted perceptions, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Cognitive symptoms include difficulties in memory, concentration, and attention. Negative symptoms manifest as loss of motivation, difficulty showing emotions, disinterest in daily activities, and difficulty functioning normally.

If left untreated, schizophrenia can lead to severe problems that can impede every area of the patient's life. These severe problems include suicidal thoughts and acts, anxiety disorders, depression, substance abuse, and social isolation.

Question 2

What are the 5 types of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

The five types of schizophrenia are:

Paranoid
Undifferentiated
Hebephrenic
Catatonic
Residual

Definitions of each type are included below:

Paranoid schizophrenia is one of the prevalent forms of schizophrenia and is characterized by symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and behavioral problems.

Hebephrenic schizophrenia is characterized by symptoms such as disorganized behavior and speech. Patients exhibit slow movements, difficulty making decisions, forgetfulness, and will often write excessive incomprehensible content. However, Hebephrenic patients don't have hallucinations or delusions.

Persons with undifferentiated schizophrenia display symptoms of catatonia, hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech.

Catatonic schizophrenia is a subtype of schizophrenia evident in various psychiatric and general medical conditions. Its symptoms include mimicking behavior, autism, and patients remaining in a fixed position for a long time.

Residual schizophrenia symptoms include lack of emotion, withdrawal, and isolation from friends and family, fatigue, lack of motivation, loss of pleasure and interest in life, poor hygiene, and grooming habits.

Question 3

What can trigger schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

According to the Mayo Clinic, schizophrenia can be triggered by a combination of genetic, brain chemistry, and environmental factors.

Problems with certain occurring chemicals known as dopamine and glutamate are thought to contribute to schizophrenia. However, the precise cause of schizophrenia is still unknown.

Some of the factors that increase the risk of developing or triggering schizophrenia include:

Having a family with a history of schizophrenia
Taking mind-altering drugs, especially in teen and young adulthood
Some pregnancy and birth complications like exposure to toxins and malnutrition

Question 4

What are 3 symptoms of schizophrenia?

Accepted Answer

The three symptoms of schizophrenia are:

Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized thinking and speech

Definitions of each type are included below:

Delusions are inaccurate beliefs that are not based on reality. For example, it is common for persons with schizophrenia to think they are being harassed or harmed, and certain gestures or comments are typically directed to them. They may also think someone is in love with them or a major catastrophe is about to happen.

Hallucinations involve seeing or hearing things that don't exist. Hallucinations for people with schizophrenia are a real experience that has full force and impact on their lives.

Disorganized thinking is typically inferred from incoherent speech and is often characterized by impaired communication. It is common for persons with schizophrenia to provide answers that are completely or unrelated to questions asked.

What is schizophrenia?

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