Prevalence of Schizophrenia
chizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, emotional responsiveness, and social interactions. It affects approximately 24 million people or 1 in 300 people (0.32%) worldwide. This rate is 1 in 222 people (0.45%) among adults. It is not as common as many other mental disorders.
ymptoms
ymptoms of schizophrenia include psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder (unusual ways of thinking), as well as reduced expression of emotions, reduced motivation to accomplish goals, difficulty in social relationships, motor impairment, and cognitive impairment.
Causes
The actual causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood. There are many factors that normally contribute to the onset of schizophrenia:
– Brain chemistry: Abnormal functioning of neurotransmitters such as dopamine can cause schizophrenia.
– Heredity: Schizophrenia tends to run in families. If a parent has the disorder, the offsprings are susceptible to the disease.
– Abnormality in the brain: Abnormalities such as shrinkage in brain, or circuitry dysfunction can cause schizophrenia.
– Complications during pregnancy and birth: Chances of a child getting Schizophrenia are increased by infection or malnutrition during pregnancy and complications during birth such as brain injury.
Diagnosis
chizophrenia is diagnosed by the characteristic clinical picture. There is no diagnostic test available for schizophrenia. Doctors study the genetic and developmental background of the patient and changes in mental state before the onset of illness.
Treatment
The treatment includes medications and psychotherapy. Medication for Schizophrenia includes Olanzapine, Aripiprazole, Paliperidone, Blonanserin, Risperidone, Quetiapine, Haloperidol, Flupenthixol, Zuclopenthixol, Clozapine. Therapy for Schizophrenia includes Psychotherapy, Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and Family counseling.
Despite its relatively low prevalence, schizophrenia is associated with significant health, social, and economic concerns. Schizophrenia is one of the top 15 leading causes of disability worldwide. Individuals with schizophrenia have an increased risk of premature mortality (death at a younger age than the general population). This is often due to physical illnesses, such as cardiovascular, metabolic, and infectious diseases..
