About Mental Illness >> Schizophrenia
Questions & Answers
Serious mental illness creates uncertainty and confusion, in both the person with the disease and the people around them. Here, we've collected some of the most common questions about schizophrenia, as well as questions about treatment, management and reintegration.
Of course, every situation is different and no single list of questions can provide all the answers needed. So be sure to talk to physicians, caregivers, therapists and other professionals.
What is schizophrenia?
How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
What causes schizophrenia?
Is there a cure?
How is schizophrenia treated?
Is a complete recovery possible?
Where can someone turn for help?
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that can seriously affect a person's life, as well as the lives of their family and friends. The onset of schizophrenia usually takes place in the late teens or early 20's -sometimes later for women. Around the world, approximately 1% of the population -- or one in a hundred people - will experience some form of schizophrenia.
Even though schizophrenia is rare, its early onset and the lifelong disability it brings to people affected, including their families, make schizophrenia one of the most catastrophic mental illnesses.
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How is schizophrenia diagnosed?
Only a trained mental health professional can make a diagnosis of schizophrenia. They will look for periods of acute psychosis lasting longer than two weeks, or a pattern of acute psychosis over time.
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What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
The symptoms appear gradually over time, usually beginning when a person is in adolescence or young adulthood. Tenseness, inability to sleep or concentrate and social withdrawal often mark the initial onset of the disease.
More serious symptoms emerge as the illness progresses, including nonsensical statements and unusual perceptions of common experience. People suffering from acute schizophrenia may quickly change from topic to topic with no relation to each other, or make up completely new words or sounds.
People suffering from schizophrenia often believe that someone is spying on them, or that someone can "hear" their thoughts. Many believe that others are trying to insert thoughts into their minds and control their actions. They may hear voices that insult or command. Some people might believe they are the President, or that they can travel back and forward in time.
People suffering from schizophrenia can, at times, appear relatively normal. But during the acute or "psychotic" phase, the same person may suffer from hallucinations, delusions, or disconnected speech and thinking.
The acute psychotic symptoms usually lessen during a period called the residual stage or remission. When they return, it's called relapse. Other less acute symptoms, like social withdrawal and blunted emotions may continue through remission and relapse.
It's also important to note that while schizophrenia has a recognizable and specific set of symptoms, this illness varies widely in its severity from person to person, and from one time period to another.
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What causes schizophrenia?
The exact cause of schizophrenia remains unknown, but a number of theories are being researched to identify the root causes of the disease.
The research so far supports the conclusion that people inherit a genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia, which can be brought on by outside events such as a viral infection that changes the body's chemistry, a highly stressful situation in adult life, or a combination of each.
Is there a cure?
There is no cure for schizophrenia. With the causes rooted in a complex combination of genetics, brain chemistry and environmental factors, an outright cure is unlikely for the immediate future.
How is schizophrenia treated?
The treatment of schizophrenia has advanced dramatically in recent years. Using a combination of medication - especially newer SGA's combined with the intervention of concerned and informed caregivers and family members, people with schizophrenia are reaching higher levels of reintegration than ever before.
Is a complete recovery possible?
Schizophrenia is a disease that will likely affect a person for the rest of their life. But there are more and more people who, through skillful treatment, are finding satisfying work, living independently and forming meaningful relationships. Helping people and their families achieve this level of reintegration is the mission of the Center of Reintegration, and Reintegration.com.
Where can someone turn for help?
There are many organizations and other information resources that are available to help people with serious mental illness, their families and concerned caregivers. They include both local organizations and national advocacy groups. Many states have created programs specifically to help people reintegrate.
Schizophrenia