What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious potentially chronic mental disorder and disabling brain disease which affects thinking, emotions and behaviour. The illness often lasts for a long time and can be very disabling. Contrary to common belief, schizophrenia is not split personality.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
People with schizophrenia often suffer terrifying symptoms such as hearing internal voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. These symptoms may leave them fearful and withdrawn.
Causes of schizophrenia
There is no known single cause of schizophrenia. Many diseases, such as heart disease, result from an interplay of genetic, behavioral, and other factors; and this may be the case for schizophrenia as well.
Information for caregivers
Very often, patients with schizophrenia are discharged from the hospital into the care of their family, so it is important that family members learn all they can about schizophrenia and understand the difficulties and problems associated with the illness.
Treatment for schizophrenia
After a first episode of schizophrenia, about a quarter make a good recovery within five years, two thirds will have multiple episodes with some degree of disability between these episodes, and 10-15% will develop severe continuous incapacity. Although the illness is severe and disruptive, many people who suffer from it are eventually able to settle down, work and make lasting relationships.
