Schizophrenia what kind of disorder is it

There are many charities and support groups offering help and advice on living with schizophrenia. Most people find it comforting talking to others with a similar condition. Page last reviewed: 11 November Next review due: 11 November Overview - Schizophrenia. Symptoms of schizophrenia include: hallucinations — hearing or seeing things that do not exist outside of the mind delusions — unusual beliefs not based on reality muddled thoughts based on hallucinations or delusions losing interest in everyday activities not caring about your personal hygiene wanting to avoid people, including friends Schizophrenia does not cause someone to be violent and people with schizophrenia do not have a split personality.

When to get medical advice If you're experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, see a GP as soon as possible. Causes of schizophrenia The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown.

Cognition is another area of functioning that is affected in schizophrenia leading to problems with attention, concentration and memory, and to declining educational performance. Symptoms of schizophrenia usually first appear in early adulthood and must persist for at least six months for a diagnosis to be made.

Men often experience initial symptoms in their late teens or early 20s while women tend to show first signs of the illness in their 20s and early 30s.

More subtle signs may be present earlier, including troubled relationships, poor school performance and reduced motivation. Before a diagnosis can be made, however, a psychiatrist should conduct a thorough medical examination to rule out substance misuse or other neurological or medical illnesses whose symptoms mimic schizophrenia. Researchers believe that a number of genetic and environmental factors contribute to causation, and life stressors may play a role in the start of symptoms and their course.

Since multiple factors may contribute, scientists cannot yet be specific about the exact cause in each individual case. Though there is no cure for schizophrenia, many patients do well with minimal symptoms. A variety of antipsychotic medications are effective in reducing the psychotic symptoms present in the acute phase of the illness, and they also help reduce the potential for future acute episodes and their severity.

Psychological treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy or supportive psychotherapy may reduce symptoms and enhance function, and other treatments are aimed at reducing stress, supporting employment or improving social skills. Diagnosis and treatment can be complicated by substance misuse. People with schizophrenia are at greater risk of misusing drugs than the general population. If a person shows signs of addiction, treatment for the addiction should occur along with treatment for schizophrenia.

Delusional disorder involves a person having false beliefs delusions that persist for at least one month. The delusions can be bizarre about things that cannot possibly occur or non-bizarre things that are possible but not likely, such as a belief about being followed or poisoned.

Apart from the delusion s , it does not involve other symptoms. The person may not appear to have any problems with functioning and behavior except when they talk about or act on the delusion. Delusional beliefs can lead to problems with relationships or at work, and to legal troubles.

Delusional disorder is rare: around 0. Delusional disorder is treated with individual psychotherapy, although people rarely seek treatment as they often do not feel they need treatment. Brief psychotic disorder occurs when a person experiences a sudden short period of psychotic behavior.

This episode lasts between one day and one month and then the symptoms completely disappear, and the person returns to normal. Although the disturbance is short, individuals with brief psychotic disorder typically experience emotional turmoil or overwhelming confusion. Statistics NIMH statistics pages include statistics on the prevalence, treatment, and costs of mental illness for the population of the United States. Help for Mental Illnesses If you or someone you know has a mental illness, there are ways to get help.

Clinical Trials If you or a friend or family member are thinking about taking part in clinical research, this page contains basic information about clinical trials. Stakeholder Engagement Find out how NIMH engages a range of stakeholder organizations as part of its efforts to ensure the greatest public health impact of the research we support. Education and Awareness Use these free mental health education and outreach materials in your community and on social media to spread the word about topics like eating disorders, autism awareness, and suicide prevention.

Application Process Explore the NIMH grant application process, including how to write your grant, how to submit your grant, and how the review process works.

Small Business Research Learn about funding opportunities for small businesses. Meetings and Events Details about upcoming events — including meetings, conferences, workshops, lectures, webinars, and chats — sponsored by the NIMH.

Multimedia NIMH videos and podcasts featuring science news, lecture series, meetings, seminars, and special events. Press Resources Information about NIMH, research results, summaries of scientific meetings, and mental health resources. Innovation Speaker Series NIMH hosts an annual lecture series dedicated to innovation, invention, and scientific discovery.

Gordon, M. Advisory Boards and Groups Read about the boards and groups that advise and provide guidance to the Institute. Share Page. Overview Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Several factors contribute to the risk of developing schizophrenia. Treatments include: Antipsychotic Medications Antipsychotic medications can help reduce the intensity and frequency of psychotic symptoms.

Psychosocial Treatments Cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral skills training, supported employment, and cognitive remediation interventions may help address the negative and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Family Education and Support Educational programs for family members, significant others, and friends offer instruction about schizophrenia symptoms and treatments, and strategies for assisting the person with the illness.

Coordinated Specialty Care Coordinated specialty care CSC is a general term used to describe recovery-oriented treatment programs for people with first episode psychosis, an early stage of schizophrenia.

Assertive Community Treatment Assertive Community Treatment ACT is designed especially for individuals with schizophrenia who are at risk for repeated hospitalizations or homelessness.

How can I help someone I know with schizophrenia? Here are some things you can do to help your loved one: Help them get treatment and encourage them to stay in treatment Remember that their beliefs or hallucinations seem very real to them Tell them that you acknowledge that everyone has the right to see things their way Be respectful, supportive, and kind without tolerating dangerous or inappropriate behavior Check to see if there are any support groups in your area Some symptoms require immediate emergency care.

If your loved one is thinking about harming themselves or others or attempting suicide, seek help right away: Call for emergency services or go to the nearest emergency room. Free Brochures and Shareable Resources Schizophrenia : A brief brochure on schizophrenia that offers basic information on signs and symptoms, treatment, and finding help. Understanding Psychosis : A fact sheet that presents information on psychosis, including causes, signs and symptoms, treatment, and resources for help.

Shareable Resources on Schizophrenia : Help support schizophrenia awareness and education in your community. Use these digital resources, including graphics and messages, to spread the word about schizophrenia. Research and Statistics Accelerating Medicines Partnership AMP Schizophrenia Initiative: This AMP public-private collaborative effort aims to promote the development of effective, targeted treatments for those at risk of developing schizophrenia.

Treatment options are improving all the time and there are plenty of things you can do to manage the disorder. Schizophrenia is often episodic, so periods of remission are ideal times to employ self-help strategies to limit the length and frequency of any future episodes. Along with the right support, medication, and therapy, many people with schizophrenia are able to manage their symptoms, function independently, and enjoy full, rewarding lives.

Fact: Multiple personality disorder is a different and much less common disorder than schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia do not have split personalities. Fact: Schizophrenia is not rare; the lifetime risk of developing schizophrenia is widely accepted to be around 1 in Fact: Although the delusional thoughts and hallucinations of schizophrenia sometimes lead to violent behavior, most people with schizophrenia are neither violent nor a danger to others.

Fact: While long-term treatment may be required, the outlook for schizophrenia is far from hopeless. When treated properly, many people with schizophrenia are able to enjoy fulfilling, productive lives. In some people, schizophrenia appears suddenly and without warning.

But for most, it comes on slowly, with subtle warning signs and a gradual decline in functioning, long before the first severe episode. Often, friends or family members will know early on that something is wrong, without knowing exactly what. In this early phase of schizophrenia, you may seem eccentric, unmotivated, emotionless, and reclusive to others. You may start to isolate yourself, begin neglecting your appearance, say peculiar things, and show a general indifference to life.

You may abandon hobbies and activities, and your performance at work or school can deteriorate. While these warning signs can result from a number of problems—not just schizophrenia—they are cause for concern.

When out-of-the-ordinary behavior is causing problems in your life or the life of a loved one, seek medical advice. If schizophrenia or another mental problem is the cause, getting treatment early will help. However, the symptoms of schizophrenia vary dramatically from person to person, both in pattern and severity.

Not every person with schizophrenia will have all the symptoms, and the symptoms of schizophrenia may also change over time. Often, these delusions involve illogical or bizarre ideas or fantasies, such as:. These harassing delusions often involve bizarre ideas and plots e. Delusions of reference — A neutral environmental event is believed to have a special and personal meaning.

For example, you might believe a billboard or a person on TV is sending a message meant specifically for you. Delusions of grandeur — Belief that you are a famous or important figure, such as Jesus Christ or Napoleon. Alternately, delusions of grandeur may involve the belief that you have unusual powers, such as the ability to fly.

Delusions of control — Belief that your thoughts or actions are being controlled by outside, alien forces. Hallucinations are sounds or other sensations experienced as real when they exist only in your mind. While hallucinations can involve any of the five senses, auditory hallucinations e. These often occur when you misinterpret your own inner self-talk as coming from an outside source. Schizophrenic hallucinations are usually meaningful to you as the person experiencing them.

Schizophrenia can cause you to have trouble concentrating and maintaining your train of thought, which may manifest itself in the way that you speak. You may respond to queries with an unrelated answer, start sentences with one topic and end somewhere completely different, speak incoherently, or say illogical things.

Loose associations — Rapidly shifting from topic to topic, with no connection between one thought and the next. Perseveration — Repetition of words and statements; saying the same thing over and over. Schizophrenia disrupts goal-directed activity, impairing your ability to take care of yourself, your work, and interact with others.

Disorganized behavior appears as:.