SCHIZOPRENIA:

BATTLE WITH SCHIZOPRENIA

SUBMITTED BY:

BUELLA, AZALEA DIANNE

DELA CRUZ, STEPHANIE

JONGKO, ANGELICA GRACE

VASQUEZ, MOANA MARIE

SUBMITTED TO:

MRS. CATANGUI

What if a person has a schizophrenia? Do you know anything about schizophrenia? Could you imagine how hard it
is having that disease? Could you picture out what would you be if you somehow has this illness? Can you live a
normal life? Can you feel being yourself?
Imagine yourself being locked up in a room without anything except darkness. As a normal person/citizen you will
eventually do everything just to get out and look for help by screaming or searching helpful materials that could
help you break through. While a person with schizophrenia usually let the darknessswallow them. They would
rather lock themselves than see how other people and things kill them emotionally. For further understanding, we,
students that has a will to inform everybody about this serious illness has gone through researches and enough
reading to give you efficient information about this topic. The research was made through combining ideas and
research of each member. The following were strongly base on truth and relevant statements.

Living like a normal healthy person we are having a hard time for doing each tasks that was assigned for us. We are
facing struggles and problems that makes life difficult to understand and live on. And you even give up in your own
life countless times. You were thinking that God was cruel yet you don’t even consider how other people feel.
People that has a will to live life happily yet they can’t. do you know who they are? Well, one of them were those
schizophrenic people. They have this paranoid thinking and deep hallucinations that unable them to communicate
to other people for they can’t figure what is reality and what is delusions. Schizophrenia was quite cruel. They don’t
allow you to think straight like normal person do and that make you think you’re not one of them. That you are
different in a negative way. But If we’re going to compare schizophrenia with other mental illness like bipolar we can
easily see the difference between the two: Bipolar is having a severe change in mood,energy, activity and the ability
to carry out day to day tasks while schizophrenia is losing touch with reality and having difficult time to differentiate
reality to delusions. Also when we compare it with depression, depression is more like a result of schizophrenia.
Knowing that you have schizophrenia makes you depressed, for it means that you cannot communicate well to your
family andfolks. It wasn’t easy having that disease and that makes you even more depressed because it wasn’t a
normal disease that you would definitely encounter in your every day life.

Schizophrenia is by far the most common of the functional psychoses. Usually it is a severe disorder in which
people, to one degree or another, leave the world of reality and retreat into an unreal world or inner fantasies.
Withdrawal is used as a basic defense.

The word schizophrenia comes from the Greek words for “split mind”. The personality is split or highly
disorganized. Such disorganization is commonly evident in the person’s thoughts, emotions and general behavior.
Contradictory thoughts, feelings, desires and vague feelings or being guilty of something. They may have delusions.
And they may be excessively concerned with their bodies to the extent that they form somatic delusions.

Involutional psychoses may be characterized predominantly by paranoid ideas, in which cases people are very
suspicious and tend to accuse others of various wrongdoings against them. Or depression may predominate, and
people became tense and agitated. They may have somatic delusions- they believe that they have no heart, and
their blood was turned to water, or other similarly false notions. This type of depression is called involutional
melancholia. Involutional melancholia often occurs among conscientious, responsible people of high standards
who try to overcome a negative self-image by living up to their ideal image. By meeting society’s expectations of
them, by doing “right” they inwardly expect to be ultimately rewarded.
Symptoms of schizophrenia usually start between ages 16 and 30.It sometimes starts during childhood, but most
often shows up in the late teens or 20s. It can develop gradually, over the course of weeks or months, or it can seem
to come on very suddenly. The signs of schizophrenia are easy to misunderstand, and can sometimes be frightening
to other people. Others, left untreated, or during an active psychotic episode, may not understand that they are
sick, and will have trouble identifying and understanding what is real. When patients have
active schizophrenia symptoms, they truly believe in theirdelusions and hallucinations, and will deny that they are
sick.

In some cases, children have schizophrenia too.There are 3 types of schizophrenia’s symptoms. The symptoms of
schizophrenia fall into three categories: positive, negative, and cognitive. Positive symptoms are psychotic behaviors
not generally seen in healthy people. People with positive symptoms may lose touch with some aspects of reality.
Positive symptoms includes hallucinations, delusions, though disorder (unusual or dysfunctional ways of thinking)
and movement disorders (agitated body movements). Negative symptoms associated with disruptions to normal
emotions and behaviors. Negative symptoms includes the following: “Flat affect” (reduced expression of emotions
via facial expression or voice tone), Reduced feelings of pleasure in everyday life, Difficulty beginning and sustaining
activities, and Reduced speaking. Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are subtle, but for others, they are more
severe and patients may notice changes in their memory or other aspects of thinking. Symptoms of cognitive
schizophrenia includes poor “executive functioning” (the ability to understand information and use it to make
decisions), trouble focusing or paying attention ,problems with “working memory” (the ability to use information
immediately after learning it). But because the causes of schizophrenia are still unknown, treatments focus on
eliminating the symptoms of the disease.

There are also different kinds of schizophrenia. The first type of schizophrenia is the paranoid schizophrenia.
Paranoid schizophrenia is a common type of schizophrenia. A high percentage of schizophrenic people have
paranoid ideas. A person with schizophrenia may have false beliefs, or delusions, that an individual or group of
people are conspiring to harm them or members of their family. They accuse other people about talking of them, or
they may fear that others are plotting to kill them. They may spend time thinking about ways to protect themselves
from the people they believe are persecuting them.That is, they may have delusions of reference and of
persecution. When such paranoid ideas are particularly prominent in people’s behavior – when their entire
existence appears to revolve around the ideas that others are plotting to kill them, for example-we say that they
are showing schizophrenia, paranoid type.

Paranoid thinking is by no means confined to schizophrenics. Many people are paranoid though not to the
degree found in the psychotic. They tend to be suspicious, hostile, jealous and touchy. They may feel that others
take advantage of them or block them in reaching their goals. They see others as basically hostile, unfriendly and
against them. Some paranoid people may be described as collectors of injustice. While delusions can still be key to a
diagnosis of schizophrenia, this is no longer considered a separate subtype of the disorder.
Simple type.People afflicted with schizophrenia, simple type, rarely are seen in mental hospitals. They are more
likely to be found in jails or shelters for the homeless. Simple schizophrenics do not tend to hallucinate or to have
delusions; if they do, these are not conspicuous aspects of the condition. They are people who function at a low
psychological level, intellectually and emotionally, with very few interests and little attachment to other people.
They may be drifters, vagrants, prostitutes – people who never become integrated into the fabric of society.

Disorganized, or hebephrenic schizophrenia. the classification for those people whose conditions shows itself as a
marked regression and disorganization of personality. Such people tend to be childish, to wear a silly grin, to giggle
inappropriately, and to show odd behaviors and mannerisms. Their thinking is confused and their speech may be
nonsense. They may have delusions and they may hallucinate a great ideal. Disorganized thinking and behavior are
features of schizophrenia. The person may have incoherent and illogical thoughts and speech.This can make it
difficult to perform daily activities, such as preparing meals and taking care of personal hygiene, or washing. People
may not be able to understand what the patient is saying. This can lead to frustration and agitation.While
disorganization is a feature of schizophrenia, it is no longer considered a separate subtype.

Catatonic schizophrenia.People with schizophrenia, Catatonic type may exhibit a variety of odd behaviors. They
may, for example, have odd postures such as standing perfectly still with the head and upper trunk leading to the
left. They may display waxy flexibility, that is, permit others to move their limbs into various positions which they
then retain for hours. If you left their arms straight out to the side, they will hold them this way until the arms
slowly come down due to fatigue over a long period of time. Catatonic schizophrenics may be negativistic, refusing
to cooperate, or they may be in a stupor, remaining mute for long period, sometimes for years. Or they may
become agitated and run about the street shouting to people, admonishing them to repent their sins.

Next is the childhood schizophrenia. The symptoms of schizophrenia normally appear during early adulthood, but
they can sometimes emerge during childhood, at the age of 10 years or earlier. It is extremely rare, with an
incidence of less than 0.04 percent. If schizophrenia occurs in a child, it is very serious, and treatment is
needed.However, healthy children can experience hallucinations, so if this happens, it does not mean that a child
has schizophrenia.
Undifferentiated type.Some of the people diagnosed as schizophrenic shows a variety of symptoms that
classification into one of the above subtypes is difficult. In such cases, we speak of schizophrenia, undifferentiated
type.

In schizophrenia the basic defense mechanism is withdrawal. Commonly in the life history of schizophrenic
people, we find that they were emotionally by one or both parents, and had never developed adequate skills in
relating to others. Hence, interpersonal relations are painful. Such people acquire the habit of perceiving others
with distrust. At the same time they have no respect for their own abilities or worth as people. Life as it exist, then
seems to be too hard for such people to cope with reality is replaced by fantasy: an objective understanding of the
world is replaced by autistic thinking.

To a limited extent we all withdraw and substitute and unreal world for the world of reality- such as in our
fantasies. People who are moving toward schizophrenia, however, tend increasingly to respond to stressful
situations by withdrawal. They seemingly lose the ability to snap back to reality when the situation requires that
they stop daydreaming and get down to business.

Depressive type.People with manic depressive disorder, depressed type, are profoundly depressed. They may show
signs of agitation – such as “nervous” pacing of the corridor – or they may appear perplexed and show a profound
lethargy. They may exhibit psychomotor retardation, that is, their thinking and movements may become impossibly
slow and arduous. They may have hallucinations and delusions. A noise in another room may prompt the delusions
that someone is building a gallows or torture chamber.

And the last one is called schizoaffective disorder. A person with schizoaffective disorder experiences a combination
of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as mania
or depression. In the past, the person had to have both sets of symptoms at the same time to receive a diagnosis of
schizoaffective disorder.The DSM-V update in 2013 now says that to be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a
person must have experienced mood disorders for most of the time they have also had the psychotic symptoms of
schizophrenia, from when they first started having symptoms up to the present.
The exact causes of schizophrenia are unknown. Research suggests a combination of physical, genetic,
psychological and environmental factors can make a person more likely to develop the condition. Some people may
be prone toschizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event might trigger a psychotic episode.

There are several factors that contribute to the risk of developing schizophrenia: Genes and environment where
scientists have long known that schizophrenia sometimes runs in families. However, there are many people who
have schizophrenia who don’t have a family member with the disorder and conversely, many people with one or
more family members with the disorder who do not develop it themselves.Scientists believe that many different
genes may increase the risk of schizophrenia, but that no single gene causes the disorder by itself. It is not yet
possible to use genetic information to predict who will develop schizophrenia.

Scientists also think that interactions between genes and aspects of the individual’s environment are necessary for
schizophrenia to develop. Environmental factors may involve: Exposure to viruses, Malnutrition before birth,
Problems during birth, Psychosocial factors.Different brain chemistry and structure: Scientists think that an
imbalance in the complex, interrelated chemical reactions of the brain involving the neurotransmitters (substances
that brain cells use to communicate with each other) dopamine and glutamate, and possibly others, plays a role in
schizophrenia.Some experts also think problems during brain development before birth may lead to faulty
connections. The brain also undergoes major changes during puberty, and these changes could trigger psychotic
symptoms in people who are vulnerable due to genetics or brain differences.

Treatments are gradually recommended to slowly eliminate symptoms of this disease. Antipsychotics,
psychosocial treatments, and coordinated specialty care are some of the treatments named to treat symptoms of
schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications are usually taken daily in pill or liquid form. Some antipsychotics are
injections that are given once or twice a month. Some people have side effects when they start taking medications,
but most side effects go away after a few days. Doctors and patients can work together to find the best medication
or medication combination, and the right dose. Psychosocial treatments are helpful after patients and their doctor
find a medication that works. Learning and using coping skills to address the everyday challenges of schizophrenia
helps people to pursue their life goals, such as attending school or work. Individuals who participate in regular
psychosocial treatment are less likely to have relapses or be hospitalized. Coordinated specialty care treatment
model integrates medication, psychosocial therapies, case management, family involvement, and supported
education and employment services, all aimed at reducing symptoms and improving quality of life. The
NIMH Recovery After an Initial Schizophrenia Episode (RAISE) research project seeks to fundamentally change the
trajectory and prognosis of schizophrenia through coordinated specialty care treatment in the earliest stages of the
disorder. RAISE is designed to reduce the likelihood of long-term disability that people with schizophrenia often
experience and help them lead productive, independent lives.

In the whole world there was about 1% of the population were diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was not a common
disease but can be a terrible one. It is a disease that usually starts in the early adulthood. Men tend to get
developed schizophrenia slightly earlier than women. Men are commonly diagnosed on ages 16-25 while women
get ill years later. The average onset in men is 18 and 25 in women.
 As we can see
in the graph
the cases of
men is greater
than women.
For it’s because
naturally boys
talks less. One
of the major
symptoms of
schizophrenia
is talking less.
Also it is
because of the
early age that they get ill.

Schizophrenia occurs in all societies regardless of class, color and religion but sometimes there are some variations
in terms of incidence and outcomes for different groups of people (Source: Dr. Robin Murray). The earlier that it was
diagnosed and treated , the better the outcome of the person and the faster and better recovery.

As many as 51 million people ages 18 and above were suffers with schizophrenia including ;*6 to 12 million –
China,*4.3 to 8.7 million - India, *2.2 million - United States of America, *285,000 – Canada,*250,000 – Britain.

The earlier someone with schizophrenia is diagnose on treatment , the better the long term prognosis for the
illness. Teen suicide is a growing contemporary issue; Teens with schizophrenia has a 50% risk of attempting suicide.
In some rare cases, children ages 5 can develop schizophrenia. Anti-psychotic medications are the generally
recommended treatment for schizophrenia. If the medication of schizophrenia is stopped the relapse rate is about
80% within 2 years. With continued drug treatment, only about 40% of recovered patients will suffer relapses.

If a person diagnosed after 10 years; 25% Completely Recover,25% Much Improved,25% Improved, but require
extensive support network, 15% Hospitalized, unimproved,10% Died (mostly suicide).If a person diagnosed after 30
years;25% Completely Recover,35% Much Improved, relatively independent,15% Improved, but requires a support
network,10% Hospitalize, unimproved,15% Died (mostly suicide).

Schizophrenia sufferers are dying prematurely, not from the disease itself but from conditions that are treatable and
often preventable. You may be assuming that the main cause of premature death in schizophrenia is suicide. But it
is not.
Despite the widespread misconception that people with schizophrenia have no chance of recovery or improvement,
the reality is much more hopeful. Although currently there is no cure for schizophrenia, you can treat and manage it
with medication, self-help strategies, and supportive therapies.

While there may be no cure for schizophrenia, many people with this mental illness can lead healthy and
productive lives. NAMI estimates that as many as half of the 2 million Americans with schizophreniacan
recover significantly or even completely when they get treatment.