Rose McClung and Emmie Gerrard
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Schizophrenia is a disorder of the brain which
may cause severe symptoms. Most cases of
schizophrenia are life-long, difficult to manage,
and can affect many areas of a person's life.
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A form of schizophrenia characterized by a
tendency to remain in a fixed stupor state for
long periods. The catatonia may give way to
short bursts of extreme excitement or
hyperactive tendencies. Catatonic episodes
may last for a month or longer if not treated.
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Physical immobility (including speaking), or "waxy
flexibility" (if your arm is moved, it will stay in that position
for several hours)
Excessive mobility (moving in an excited manner that seems
to have no purpose)
Extreme resistance (not responding to instructions, refusing
to be moved, refusing to speak)
Peculiar movements (inappropriate or peculiar postures,
grimace for long periods of time, use strange mannerisms,
may also mechanically repeat certain behaviors such as
repeating words, obsessively following routines, or always
arranging objects in certain ways)
Mimicking speech or movement
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Disorganized schizophrenia is also known as
hebephrenic schizophrenia. It is considered
one of the most severe types of schizophrenia
because it can severely disrupt normal
functioning of daily life activities.
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Disorganized thinking and behavior
Absent or inappropriate emotional responses
Delusions
Auditory and visual hallucinations
Grimacing
Odd postures
Trouble functioning at school or work
Social isolation
Clumsy, uncoordinated movements
Suicidal thoughts
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Key differences between Paranoid
Schizophrenia and the other types are harmful
delusions and extremely negative auditory
hallucinations.
Paranoid schizophrenics are less likely to be
affected by problems with thinking,
concentration, and mood.
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Auditory hallucinations
Delusions
Anxiety
Anger
Emotional distance
Violence
Argumentativeness
Self-important or condescending manner
Suicidal thoughts and behavior
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When a person has a history of schizophrenic
symptoms, but none of his/her current
symptoms match previously diagnosed
symptoms. At least one year must have passed
since symptoms of previously-diagnosed
schizophrenia minimized or substantially
reduced before residual schizophrenia can be
diagnosed.
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Psychomotor slowing
Lack of physical activity
Passivity and lack of initiative
Inability or refusal to speak
Lack of personal care
Poor social performance
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Undifferentiated Schizophrenics have the
characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia but do
not meet the specific criteria for the paranoid,
disorganized, catatonic, or residual types.
A person with Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
must have at least two of the following symptoms:
Delusions
Hallucinations
Disorganized speech
Extremely disorganized or catatonic behavior
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Genetics and environment are both involved
Exposure to viruses while in the womb
Poor nutrition while in the womb
Stressful life circumstances
Taking psychoactive drugs, especially during
adolescence
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Treatment usually involves a combination of
psychiatry and medication usage.
Often there are treatment “teams” which can
include: a doctor, psychiatrist, case worker,
psychiatric nurse, psychotherapist, pharmacist,
family members, social workers.
Individual and Family Therapy
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There are two types of medications:
First-generation (typical) antipsychotics: control
symptoms by affecting neurotransmitters. They
attempt to manage delusions and hallucinations.
However, they do have frequent and possibly
severe side effects, including involuntary muscle
spasms.
Second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics: These
are newer antipsychotic medications and target
hallucinations, delusions, loss of motivation and
lack of emotion. These have metabolic side effects,
including weight gain, diabetes and high
cholesterol.
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Haloperidol (Haldol)
Droperidol (Inapsine)
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
Fluphenazine (Prolixin)
Trifluoperazine (Stelazine)
Perphenazine (Trilafon)
Thioridazine (Mellaril)
Thiothixene (Navane)
Molindone (Moban)
Loxapine (Loxitane)
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Hospitalization: in extreme cases where the
person suffering from schizophrenia is harmful
to themselves or others, this ensures safety,
proper nutrition and care.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): causes a
small seizure which can change the chemistry
of the brain chemistry to reduce symptoms.
Vocational skills training: Training in social
and vocational skills, such as learning skills
like good hygiene, cooking and better
communication.
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Schizophrenia is in the top 10 causes of
disability in developed countries worldwide,
with about 51 million people diagnosed and 2.2
million of those people living in the USA.
If anti-psychotic medications use is
discontinued, the relapse rate is about 80
percent within 2 years.
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Of those diagnosed with schizophrenia:
6% are homeless or live in shelters
6% live in jails or prisons
5% to 6% live in hospitals
10% live in nursing homes
25% live with a family member
28% are living independently
20% live in supervised housing
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Schizophrenia, though often severe and hard to
cope with, is a treatable disorder of the brain.
Those with schizophrenia may live with their
treatments for their entire lives.
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How might schizophrenia affect a person's life?
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Surviving Schizophrenia : A Manual for Families, Patients, and Providers
(5th Edition) by E. Fuller Torrey
http://www.mayoclinic.com
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/disorganizedschizophrenia/DS00864.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/192621.php
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/paranoidschizophrenia/DS00862/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs
http://medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com/undifferentiated+schizophrenia
http://psychcentral.com/lib/2006/undifferentiated-schizophrenia/
http://www.schizophrenic.com/content/schizophrenia/diagnosis/undi
fferentiated-schizophrenia
http://www.freemd.com/undifferentiated-schizophrenia/treatment.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/catatonicschizophrenia/DS00963/DSECTION=symptoms
http://www.psychcentral.com/lib/2006/residual-schizophrenia/