Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder characterized by abnormal social behavior, disrupted speech patterns, and experiences or thoughts that seem out of touch with reality. The illness also impacts cognitive processes, mood, and psychological factors. It is classified as a type of psychosis.
Mental Health America (2016). Schizophrenia. Retrieved April 11, 2017 from http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/conditions/schizophrenia#intro
Prevalence
- There are more than 200,000 cases in the US each year.
- At any one time as many as 51 million people worldwide suffer from schizophrenia, including:
- 6 to 12 million in China
- 4.3 to 8.7 million in India
- 2.2 million people in USA
- 285,000 people in Australia
- Over 280,000 people in Canada
- Over 250,000 people in Britain
Brian Chiko (2010). Schizophrenia Facts and Statistics. Retrieved April 11, 2017 from http://www.schizophrenia.com/szfacts.htm#
phases of schizophrenia
Prodromal Schizophrenia (Prodrome)
Gluck, S. (27 Mar. 2017) Phases of Schizophrenia. Retrieved April 24, 2017 from http://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/schizophrenia-information/phases-of-schizophrenia/
- First of the three phases; occurs when a person begins to develop the disorder
- Period of time from first changes to full psychosis
- Possible symptoms:
- Trouble paying attention
- Difficulty in decision-making
- Uncharacteristic anxiety
- Social withdrawal
- If diagnosed at this stage, treatment can improve prognosis
- Patients appear psychotic
- Symptoms (can continue for months if untreated)
- Hallucinations
- Paranoid delusions
- Extremely disorganized speech and behaviors
- Psychosis has subsided, but patient may still exhibit negative symptoms:
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of emotion
- Uncharacteristic low energy levels
- Patient may continue to hold abnormal beliefs
Gluck, S. (27 Mar. 2017) Phases of Schizophrenia. Retrieved April 24, 2017 from http://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/schizophrenia-information/phases-of-schizophrenia/