1.+What+Is+Schizophrenia?

= About Schizophrenia =

===="Schizophrenia is a chronic and serious disease of the brain. It is a psychotic disorder, which involves a loss of contact with reality, making it very hard for a person to distinguish between what is real and what is not.====

====Schizophrenia affects 1 in 100 people. It occurs in every single race and culture. It occurs equally in males and females. Approximately 300,000 people live with the disease in Canada. 120,000 of them live in Ontario. The disease usually begins when people are in their **teens or early twenties**, although it can occur later in life.====

====Schizophrenia is treatable; however, because the severity differs from person to person, the intensity of treatment varies. Some people will be hospitalized during the course of their illness, and others can be treated effectively in the community.====

====The basis of treatment is anti-psychotic medications, which help manage the symptoms of Schizophrenia. Once the symptoms are controlled, different forms of therapy (such as psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy) are important to help the individual understand the illness and learn to cope with it. For many people, treatment may involve the services of a social worker who will help them stick to their treatment.====

= Diagnosis of Schizophrenia: =

**A: Characteristic symptoms: two or more of the following**
=== **1. Delusions (irrational Beliefs)**  **2. Hallucinations (eg. Hearing voices)** **3. Disorganized Speech (incoherent, frequent changes of topic)** **4. Grossly Disorganized Behaviour (inappropriate, unpredictable) or catatonic (withdrawn, immobile)** **5. Negative Symptoms (lack of emotional response, little or no speech, doesn’t initiate activities)** ===

**(Drugs, Society and Human Behaviour (Hart, Ksir & Ray, 2009) Page 175)**


= What is Psychosis? =

[[image:psychosis.jpg width="385" height="319"]]
====Psychosis can be defined as a temporary but frightening state, filled with intense anxiety and hallucinations. "The word "psychosis" is used to describe conditions that affect the mind, in which there has been some loss of contact with reality. The terms "early psychosis" or "first episode psychosis" mean that an individual is experiencing psychosis for the first time. Hallucinations, delusions (false beliefs), paranoia and disorganized thoughts and speech are symptoms of psychosis. These symptoms can seem so real that often the person does not realize that they are experiencing psychosis. Psychosis also affects feelings and behaviour."====

====Psychotic episodes vary from person to person and may last anywhere from a few hours, or days, and most likely will continue for weeks, months or even years unless the individual receives proper treatment to overcome future episodes.====

====**"Psychosis is a tendency to attribute too much meaning to neutral or mundane events; in circumstances of stress, the things that are normally mundane can all of a sudden take on special significance. There is also a tendency to make up meaning where there isn't any"**====

A person with psychosis may:

 * experience confused thoughts
 * ==== feel their thoughts have sped up or slowed down ====
 * ==== feel preoccupied with unusual ideas ====
 * ==== believe that others can manipulate their thoughts; or that they can manipulate the thoughts of others ====
 * ==== perceive voices or visions that no one else can hear or see ====
 * ==== feel 'changed' in some way ====
 * ==== act differently than they usually would ====

Who gets psychosis?
====Approximately 3% of people will have or have had experienced psychotic episodes at some point in their lifetime. The first occurance of the episodes starts roughly around adolescence or early adulthood. Psychosis occurs across all cultures, and economic status's and affects women and men equally. Early treatment of psychosis is extremely important, as during adolescence it is a very critical stage in a persons life. You are just starting to develop your identity, form relationships, plan for your future and have a career. If you do have a successful recovery, it will lead to a productive, healthy future! ====

==== There are many theories as to what truly causes psychosis, but no indefinite answers. Psychosis occurs in many mental and physical disorders, and likely has multiple causes. The three most common theories are: biology, stress and drug use.====

===="Drugs- Psychosis can be induced by drugs or can be drug assisted. For example, it appears that amphetamines can cause a psychotic episode, while other drugs, including marijuana, can increase a person's natural vulnerability to psychosis resulting in a psychotic episode." ====