what is schizophrenia?

Answer 1

schizophrenia

Any of a group of severe mental disorders that have in common symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, blunted emotions, disorganized thinking, and withdrawal from reality. Five main types are recognized: the paranoid, characterized by delusions of persecution or grandeur combined with unrealistic, illogical thinking and frequent auditory hallucinations; the disorganized (hebephrenic), characterized by disordered speech and behaviour and shallow or inappropriate emotional responses; the catatonic, characterized by motor inflexibility or stupor along with mutism, echolalia, or other speech abnormalities; the simple or undifferentiated type, which conforms to basic definitions of schizophrenia but does not exhibit particular behaviours in the aforementioned types; and the residual type, which is a chronic stage indicating advancement toward later-stage schizophrenia. Schizophrenia seems to occur in 0.5–1% of the general population, and more than half of those so diagnosed will eventually recover. There is strong evidence that genetic inheritance plays a role, but no single cause of schizophrenia has been identified. Stressful life experiences may help trigger its onset. Treatment consists of drug therapy and counseling-.

For more details read - http://www.answers.com/schizophrenia

Answer 2

Schizophrenia is a mental disease that can cause hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, disorganized speech, withdrawal, and strange emotional outbreaks. Each person who has schizophrenia is effected differently by the disease which makes it very hard to diagnose. Another form of schizophrenia causes people to stay in a catatonic state for long periods of time. Most people don't show symptoms of schizophrenia until their 20's, although it is believed that people who have it have had it all their life. It effects about 1% of the population.

Answer 3

Schizophrenia is a mental illness where the brain is not very able to distinguish reality from some of the other processes going on inside it and so reality becomes a little blurry. This can be quite distressing for someone who suffers from schizophrenia.

They will talk about how they can hear voices (auditory hallucinations) and how various things may be giving them messages or how someone or something is taking thoughts out of their head (reading their mind) or putting thoughts into their head etc.

They can develop bizarre delusions about the goings on around them - eg that people are out to get them (paranoia).

IT IS NOT, as is commonly supposed, a multiple personality where the mind can exhibit two or more personas. This is a totally different condition known as Multiple Personality Disorder (or Dissociative Identity Disorder).

Have a read of the wiki page

Answer 4

What a great question! I am going to include some information from professionals.......
Schizophrenia
SYMPTOMS
Schizophrenia is characterized by at least 2 of the following symptoms, for at least one month:

Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)
Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
Negative symptoms (e.g., a "flattening" of one's emotions, alogia, avolition; see below)
(Only one symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.)

For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational achievement).

Schizoaffective Disorder and Mood Disorder With Psychotic Features have been considered as alternative explanations for the symptoms and have been ruled out. The disturbance must also not be due to the direct physiological effects of use or abuse of a substance (e.g., alcohol, drugs, medications) or a general medical condition.

If there is a history of Autistic Disorder or another Pervasive Developmental Disorder, the additional diagnosis of Schizophrenia is made only if prominent delusions or hallucinations are also present for at least a month (or less if successfully treated).

Different Types of Schizophrenia:
Paranoid schizophrenia a person feels extremely suspicious, persecuted, grandiose, or experiences a combination of these emotions.
Disorganized schizophrenia a person is often incoherent but may not have delusions.

Catatonic schizophrenia a person is withdrawn, mute, negative and often assumes very unusual postures.

Residual schizophrenia a person is no longer delusion or hallucinating, but has no motivation or interest in life. These symptoms can be most devastating.


Positive Symptoms
Negative Symptoms

Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized thinking
Agitation
Lack of drive or initiative
Social withdrawal
Apathy
Emotional unresponsiveness



Schizophrenia Table of Contents

An Introduction to Schizophrenia
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Types of Schizophrenia
Causes of Schizophrenia
An Introduction to the Treatment of Schizophrenia
Treatment of Schizophrenia
Getting Help for Schizophrenia
More Online Resources





Criteria summarized from:
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association.

Last reviewed:
On 7 Sep 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.

There are many different ideas and theories. But one thing we know for sure is that it is devestating and a wonderful gift!
In Latin it means Split mind.

Answer 5

Schizophrenia is characterized by at least 2 of the following symptoms, for at least one month:

Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech (e.g., frequent derailment or incoherence)
Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
Negative symptoms (e.g., a "flattening" of one's emotions, alogia, avolition; see below)
(Only one symptom is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of a voice keeping up a running commentary on the person's behavior or thoughts, or two or more voices conversing with each other.)

For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset (or when the onset is in childhood or adolescence, failure to achieve expected level of interpersonal, academic, or occupational achievement).

Answer 6

Any of a group of psychotic disorders usually characterized by withdrawal from reality, illogical patterns of thinking, delusions, and hallucinations, and accompanied in varying degrees by other emotional, behavioral, or intellectual disturbances. Schizophrenia is associated with dopamine imbalances in the brain and defects of the frontal lobe and is caused by genetic, other biological, and psychosocial factors.

There are three types of schizophrinia: catatonic, hebephrenic, and paranoid. But currently they say there could be five types which are just residuals or hybrids between the three main types.

Answer 7

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling brain disorder that affects about 1 percent of people all over the world. People with schizophrenia sometimes hear voices others don’t hear, believe that others are broadcasting their thoughts to the world, or become convinced that others are plotting to harm them. These experiences can make them fearful and withdrawn and cause difficulties when they try to have relationships with others.

Answer 8

being normal in a not so normal world is a very tough challenge. Be normal or not, just be it. You will definitely find someone crazy enough to jive on whatever disease or incompetency that you have. For sure you are thinking alot, I suggest you free your mind of worries and forget hurtful past. Unwind, take a vacation. Have a pet, share someone your love and dont think about so many things.There are alot of stupid things that happens for no reason. Dont bother to find out, that will surely make 50% of the population crazy.

Answer 9

A MENTAl DiSORDER WHEN YOU lOSE A SENSE OF REAliTY...