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Schizophrenia

The term “schizophrenia” is derived from Greek words that mean “split mind.” Contrary to popular opinion, however, this severe mental disorder isn’t equivalent with a split or multiple personality. Instead, it is characterized by an inability to distinguish reality from imagination (leading to sometimes violent fits of delusion and hallucination), disorganized speech and thought, withdrawal from other people (with a corresponding decrease in emotional expressiveness).

The patterns and severity of the symptoms differ from case to case. The most common is auditory hallucination, or hearing “voices in the head”, which may have contributed to the misconception that schizophrenics have multiple personalities. But unlike those who suffer Dissociative Identity Disorders, they don’t become another person, they believe somebody else is speaking to them.

Schizophrenia’s symptoms typically develop between the ages of 15 and 30, and can appear either gradually or abruptly. The severity of the disease fluctuates over the years, but the attacks tend to be less intense as people grow older. In 25% of the cases, the symptoms completely disappear towards the end of their lives.

Schizophrenia strikes 1 in 100 people. It is believed to be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, chemical imbalances, abnormalities in the structure of the brain, and prenatal complications. These lead to a predisposition to schizophrenia, but environmental factors—such as stress or psychological trauma—can trigger the full onset of the disease.

Web Resources On Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia.com
MedLinePlus: Schizophrenia

Book Resources On Schizophrenia

Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Consumers, and Providers by E. Fuller Torrey
Schizophrenia and the Family: A Practitioner's Guide to Psychoeducation and Management by Anderson et al

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