Schizophrenia
Know the Facts
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Anyone can develop schizophrenia; it affects men and women equally.
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Symptoms of schizophrenia usually appear between ages 16 and 30, and men often develop symptoms at a younger age than women.
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Genetics and environment (viruses, nutrition) are two of the leading contributing factors, among other things.
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People with schizophrenia are at greater risk for suicide than the general population and 10% of those who have the illness (especially young men) die by suicide every year.
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The risk of violence among people with schizophrenia is very small, despite the common misperception that people with the illness and violent.
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Although schizophrenia must be managed throughout a person's lifetime effective treatment is available, including antipsychotic medications and therapy that focuses on delusional beliefs and thought patterns.
What is it?
Know the Facts
Symptoms
Schizophrenia is a serious brain illness, and while there is no cure, there are treatments available to control symptoms. If you think you have schizophrenia, the first person you should see is a physician.
Symptoms
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Hallucinations (hearing voices is the most common hallucination)
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Delusional thinking and confusion
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"Disorganized thinking" or the inability to connect thoughts logically together
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Decreased ability to express emotion and find pleasure in everyday life
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Lack of desire and ability to communicate
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Difficulty focusing
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Difficulty remembering things
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Difficulty with basic organization (such as daily activities)
Schizophrenia: What is it?
Schizophrenia causes illogical thought and belief patterns, hearing internal voices, and paranoia. People with with the disorder may hear voices other people don't hear. They may believe other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. This can terrify people with the illness and make them withdrawn or agitated.