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SchizophrenSchizophreniaia

How Prevalent?How Prevalent?About 1 in every 100 people are About 1 in every 100 people are diagnosed with schizophrenia.diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Genetics: Genetics: Schizophrenia typically runs in families, so it’s likely Schizophrenia typically runs in families, so it’s likely the disorder is inheritedthe disorder is inherited

If an identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin is 50 percent more likely If an identical twin has schizophrenia, the other twin is 50 percent more likely to have the disorder.to have the disorder.

That also points out the likelihood of other causes: If schizophrenia were purely That also points out the likelihood of other causes: If schizophrenia were purely genetic, both identical twins always would have the disorder.genetic, both identical twins always would have the disorder.

Brain chemistry and structureBrain chemistry and structure: : Neurotransmitters—Neurotransmitters—chemicals in the brain, including dopamine and glutamate, that chemicals in the brain, including dopamine and glutamate, that communicate between neurons—are believed to play a role. communicate between neurons—are believed to play a role.

There also is evidence to suggest that the brains of individuals with There also is evidence to suggest that the brains of individuals with schizophrenia are different from those of healthy individualsschizophrenia are different from those of healthy individuals

EnvironmentEnvironment: : Some research points to child abuse, early Some research points to child abuse, early traumatic events, severe stress, negative life events and living in traumatic events, severe stress, negative life events and living in an urban environment as contributing factors.an urban environment as contributing factors.

Additional causes include physical and psychological complications during Additional causes include physical and psychological complications during pregnancy, such as viral infection, malnutrition and the mother’s stresspregnancy, such as viral infection, malnutrition and the mother’s stress

What causes What causes Schizophrenia?Schizophrenia?

• Significant Loss of Gray Matter of Brain (up to 25% in some areas)

• Enlarged Ventricles • Impaired Cognitive Fu

nction

• Decreased Pre-frontal Brain Function

Disorganized thinkingDisorganized thinking Disordered thoughtsDisordered thoughts

Disturbed PerceptionsDisturbed Perceptions DelusionsDelusions Hallucinations (auditory & visual)Hallucinations (auditory & visual)

Inappropriate Emotions and ActionsInappropriate Emotions and Actions

Symptoms Symptoms

The thinking of a person with Schizophrenia is The thinking of a person with Schizophrenia is fragmented and bizarre and distorted with false beliefs.fragmented and bizarre and distorted with false beliefs.

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•Disorganized thinking comes from a breakdown in selective attention.- they cannot filter out information. Often causes………

Delusions (false Delusions (false beliefs)beliefs)

Delusions of Delusions of PersecutionPersecution

Delusions of Delusions of GrandeurGrandeur

hallucinationshallucinations- sensory experiences - sensory experiences without sensory stimulation.without sensory stimulation.

Disturbed Disturbed PerceptionsPerceptions

Inappropriate Inappropriate Emotions and ActionsEmotions and Actions Laugh at inappropriate Laugh at inappropriate

timestimes

Flat Effect Flat Effect

Senseless, compulsive actsSenseless, compulsive acts

Catatonia- motionless Catatonia- motionless Waxy FlexibilityWaxy Flexibility

Types of Types of SchizophreniSchizophreniaa

Paranoid Schizophrenia Paranoid Schizophrenia

preoccupation with preoccupation with delusions or delusions or hallucinations hallucinations

Somebody is out to Somebody is out to get me!!!!get me!!!!

disorganized speech or behavior, or flat or disorganized speech or behavior, or flat or inappropriate emotion. inappropriate emotion.

Disorganized Disorganized Schizophrenia Schizophrenia