Schizophrenia is characterized as a psychotic disorder. Psychotic disorders are those that deal with delusional thinking and or hallucinations as core symptoms. Some other psychotic disorders include schizoaffective disorder and psychotic depression.
Schizophrenia can be debilitating and is thought of as one of the most severe mental health conditions.
It is not the most common mental illness, which makes it extremely difficult for others to understand. Approximately 1% of the worldwide population suffers from schizophrenia. This equals about 20 million sufferers. Approximately 3.2 million are Americans.
- Symptoms: The symptoms of schizophrenia can vary among individuals but commonly include:
Positive symptoms: Hallucinations (perceiving things that aren’t real), delusions (fixed false beliefs), disorganized thinking and speech.
Negative symptoms: Reduced emotional expression, social withdrawal, decreased motivation, and impaired cognitive function.
Cognitive symptoms: Difficulty with attention, memory, and executive functioning (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). - Subtypes: Schizophrenia is no longer categorized into subtypes according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). However, historically, subtypes included paranoid, disorganized, catatonic, undifferentiated, and residual types. The DSM-5 now focuses on symptom severity and duration rather than subtypes (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
- Causes and Risk Factors: The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but it is believed to involve a complex interaction of genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. Genetic predisposition, altered brain structure and functioning, prenatal complications, and certain environmental factors (such as exposure to viral infections or early-life stress) may contribute to the development of schizophrenia (Owen et al., 2016; Sawa & Snyder, 2002).
- Neurobiological Factors: Research suggests that abnormalities in brain structure and function, particularly involving dopamine and glutamate neurotransmitter systems, may play a role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Additionally, altered connectivity and communication within neural networks have been observed (Howes & Kapur, 2009; Stephan et al., 2009).
- Treatment: Treatment for schizophrenia typically involves a combination of medication, psychosocial interventions, and support services. Antipsychotic medications are commonly prescribed to manage symptoms. Psychosocial interventions, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, and supported employment, can help individuals manage their symptoms, enhance functioning, and improve quality of life (National Institute of Mental Health, 2021).
- Prognosis: The long-term prognosis for individuals with schizophrenia can vary. While schizophrenia is a chronic condition, with proper treatment and support, many individuals can experience significant symptom reduction and functional improvement. Ongoing management, adherence to medication, and access to community support services are important for maintaining stability and preventing relapses (Robinson et al., 2019).
If you or a loved go to visit a physician for your condition you are likely to be directed to a psychiatrist.
From there you are likely to be prescribed an anti-psychotic.
Let’s continue on to learn more about this type of medication.
Antipsychotics
Antipsychotic medications are prescribed for psychotic disorders including schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. They are also used for people with autism.
They work on chemicals in the brain that can affect psychosis, such as serotonin and dopamine.
These medications take approximately 4 to 6 weeks for symptoms like hallucinations and delusions to improve.
Typical or first-generation Antipsychotics include:
Chlorpromazine / Thorazine
Haloperidol / Haldol
Perphenazine / Trilafon
Fluphenazine / Prolixin
Atypical or second-generation antipsychotics are newer and thought to cause fewer side effects. These include:
Aripiprazole / Abilify
Risperidone / Risperdal
Clozapine / Clozaril
Olanzapine / Zyprexa
Paliperidone / Invega Sustenna
Quetiapine / Seroquel
Brexpiprazole / Rexulti
Cariprazine / Vyralar
CAUTION
May Come with Side Effects
Some Side effect profiles for antipsychotic medications are common. These can include:
Blurred Vision
Vomiting
Nausea
Dizziness
Dry Mouth
Akathisia/Restlessness
Seizures
Constipation
Weight Gain
Tardive Dyskinesia
Sexual Problems
Low Blood Pressure
Low White Blood Cell Count
Make sure to discuss any side effects with your physician and weigh the benefits vs. the side effects. You can ask a specialist today at mytelemedicine.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Howes, O. D., & Kapur, S. (2009). The dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia: Version III—The final common pathway. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 35(3), 549-562.
National Institute of Mental Health. (2021). Schizophrenia. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml
Owen, M. J., Sawa, A., & Mortensen, P. B. (2016). Schizophrenia. The Lancet, 388(10039), 86-97.
Sawa, A., & Snyder, S. H. (2002). Schizophrenia: Diverse approaches to a complex disease. Science, 296(5568), 692-695.
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