Schizophrenia

=**Schizophrenia**= = = Schizophrenia is a psychotic mental disorder that makes it difficult to tell the difference between real and unreal experiences, to think logically, to have normal emotional responses, and to behave normally in social situations. There are 5 different subcategories of schizophrenia, each characterized by different signs and symptoms.


 * ====Paranoid Type====
 * ====Disorganized Type====
 * ====Catatonic Type====
 * ====Undifferentiated Type====
 * ====Residual Type====

Paranoid Type
This type of schizophrenia is characterized by delusions of persecution and conspiracy. Auditory hallucinations are present and cause the victim to feel as though someone or something is out to get them or their loved ones. Because it is so difficult to detect this disorder outwardly, it is important that anyone suffering from it speak out about their illness. This becomes a problem when feelings of paranoia are high in the sufferer. They may become reluctant to share their symptoms with others.

Disorganized Type
This type of schizophrenia is characterized by disorganized thought patterns and can be observed easily in the victims behaviors. Delusions and hallucinations are less prominent in this type, but the ability to preform routine tasks is severely impaired. Some noticeable signs you can observe are an impaired ability of the sufferer to communicate with their use of nearly incomprehensible speech. A fluctuation of emotions is also evident, and may arise with no practical cause or reason.

Catatonic Type
When a patient shows signs of movement imbalances, it is classified as catatonic type schizophrenia. They may show catatonic hyperactivity or catatonic stupor. Sometimes they may show signs of stereotypic behavior shown through the repetition of a certain task as the result of having nothing else to do. A resistance to change in appearance may be noticed, as well as resistance to changing position, even if the position seems uncomfortable. The severity of this types lies within the the person's inability to take care of themself.

Undifferentiated Type
This type of schizophrenia is a combination of all of the type listed above, without enough prevalence in any of them to be classified as one in particular.

Residual Type
This type of schizophrenia is characterized by a dormancy of symptoms after an episode of schizophrenia for an extended period of time. It is possible that these symptoms may not return for a period of years.

Cause of Schizophrenia
There is no known cause of schizophrenia. Experts suspect that it is a mixture of inherited genetic genes and environmental factors. This includes early childhood and adolecence expiriences that effect the brains development. It is also shown through research that you are 10 times more likely to develope schizophrenia if an immediate biological relative has it.

Common Misconceptions
Many people believe all schizophrenics are violents, and this is not the case. They are no more violent than the common man or woman. Schizophrenia is often confused with dissociative disorder, also known as having a "split personality".

Cure and Treatment
Although is no known cure for schizophrenics, they are able to seek out many different treament options in order to trreat their illness some of which including:


 * Antipsychotics
 * Antidepressants
 * Psycotherapy
 * Various dietary supplements
 * Etc.

Sources

"SCHIZOPHRENIA: Schizophrenia Treatment." //Epigee Pregnancy Resource//. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. [].

"Common Misconceptions." //Macalester College: Private Liberal Arts College//. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. [].

"Schizophrenia Cause and Prevention." //Schizophrenia.com, Indepth Schizophrenia Information and Support//. Web. 18 Apr. 2011. .