Understanding Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options

The condition I’ve chosen to write about is schizophrenia, “schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality.” (NIMH » Schizophrenia. 2020). “Schizophrenia is a complex, chronic mental health disorder characterized by an array of symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech or behavior, and impaired cognitive ability. The early onset of the disease, along with its chronic course, makes it a disabling disorder for many patients and their families.” (Patel, K. R., Cherian, J., Gohil, K., & Atkinson, D 2020).

Cognitive symptoms include impairments in attention and working memory, as well as “positive symptoms” such as hallucinations, delusions, and suspiciousness. The DSM-5 states that “the diagnostic criteria [for schizophrenia] include the persistence of two or more of the following active-phase symptoms, each lasting for a significant portion of at least a one-month period: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, and negative symptoms.” At least one of the qualifying symptoms must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech. (Patel, K. R., Cherian, J., Gohil, K., & Atkinson, D 2020)

Schizophrenia can be caused by numerous factors and risk factors, including; genetics, environmental factors, and brain structure and function. “Schizophrenia can run in families. However, it is important to know that just because someone in a family has schizophrenia, it does not mean that other members of the family will have it as well. Genetics strongly suggests that many different genes increase the risk of developing schizophrenia, but that no single gene causes the disorder by itself.” (NIMH » Schizophrenia 2015.) Environmental factors that can contribute to a person’s likely hood of developing schizophrenia include poverty, stressful surroundings, and drug use.

Use of street drugs (including LSD, methamphetamine, marijuana/hash/cannabis) and alcohol have been linked with a significantly increased probability of developing psychosis and schizophrenia. This link has been documented in over 30 different scientific studies (studies done mostly in the UK, Australia, and Sweden) over the past 20 years. In one example, a study interviewed 50,000 members of the Swedish army about their drug consumption and followed up with them later in life. Those who were heavy consumers of cannabis at age 18 were over 600% more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia over the next 15 years than those who did not take it.

Experts estimate that between 8% and 13% of all schizophrenia, cases are linked to marijuana/cannabis use during teen years.” (‘Marijuana, Cannabis, and Schizophrenia – Schizophrenia.com,’ 2020) This does not mean everyone who takes part in drug use will develop schizophrenia, but it’s important to keep this risk factor in mind because it can contribute to a person developing it later on in life, especially with consistent use of it. Brain structure and function are also a leading cause of the probability of becoming schizophrenic, “scientists think that differences in brain structure, function, and interactions among chemical messengers (called neurotransmitters) may contribute to the development of schizophrenia.

Changes to the brain that occurs during puberty may trigger psychotic episodes in people who are vulnerable due to genetics, environmental exposures, etc… (NIMH » Schizophrenia 2015.) It is also important to note that schizophrenia usually develops within a person and can vary depending on gender. Males have usually diagnosed with schizophrenia in their late teens years too early thirties, while females are usually diagnosed between their early twenties and thirties. Although it does occur, it’s rare that children are diagnosed with schizophrenia. (NIMH » Schizophrenia 2015.)

There are various treatments that are handed for schizophrenia, but the most common is the use of antipsychotic medication. Some antipsychotics medication can include; chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, perphenazine, and thiothixene. Like all medications, antipsychotic medication can have side effects on an individual.

References

1. Marijuana, Cannabis, and Schizophrenia – Schizophrenia.com. (2020). Retrieved 7 May 2020, from http://www.schizophrenia.com/prevention/streetdrugs.html
2. NIMH » Schizophrenia. (2015). Retrieved 5 May 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml#part_160244
3. Patel, K. R., Cherian, J., Gohil, K., & Atkinson, D. (2014). Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options. P & T: a peer-reviewed journal for formulary management, 39(9), 638–645.

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