Ques. What is Schizophrenia?
Ans. Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder that has an impact on a person’s thoughts, feelings, actions, and interpersonal relationships. People with the condition will have phases when they have trouble understanding the reality around them. The symptoms can be disturbing for the patient as well as their loved ones. Living with and understanding schizophrenia can be challenging.
Ques. What are the symptoms of Schizophrenia?
Ans. The symptoms of schizophrenia might vary from person to person, but they can be broadly divided into three categories psychotic, negative, and cognitive.
Positive symptoms- Includes delusions, hallucinations and disorganized thought, speech and behavior.
Hallucinations are false perceptions when someone perceives sounds, sees objects/people, tastes, smells, or feels some sensation that are not actually present. Hallucinations can be auditory, visual, tactile, olfactory or gustatory. The most common is Auditory Hallucinations where the patient complains of hearing sounds or voices, frequently talking to or about them. The voices may be frightening or humiliating, commanding or commenting on things or people around the individual.
Delusions are deeply believed false myths that have no foundation in reality or the individual’s culture. The individual holds these false beliefs so strongly that they reject any attempts by others to contradict or disapprove them.
Negative Symptoms- Absence of thoughts, perceptions, or behaviors that are often displayed in other individuals. They include lack of motivation, social withdrawal, reduced emotional expression, loss of interest and pleasure in activities, talking in a dull voice/ reduced speech and having low energy.
Cognitive Symptoms – Mental processes that enable us to carry out daily tasks are referred to as cognition. These symptoms include problems with attention, concentration, and memory.
Ques. How common is Schizophrenia ?
Ans. According to the studies, 1% of the population experiences schizophrenia at some time in their lives. NIMH survey results show that schizophrenia affects 1.4% of the population in India.
Men and women both experience schizophrenia at similar rates.
Ques. What is the treatment for Schizophrenia ?
Ans. Current schizophrenia treatments place a strong emphasis on assisting patients in managing their symptoms, enhancing day-to-day functioning, and achieving their own personal life goal, such as completing their education, establishing a profession, and developing satisfying relationships.
Psychiatric medications and psychotherapy can help a person reduce their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life.
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