Question:
Cause of paranoid schizophrenia?
Answer:
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Schizophrenia (SKITS-oh-FREEN-ee-uh)---one of the most damaging of all
mental disorders---causes its victims to lose touch with reality. They
often begin to hear, see, or feel things that aren't really there
(hallucinations) or become convinced of things that simply aren't true
(delusions). In the paranoid form of this disorder, they develop delusions
of persecution or personal grandeur. The first signs of paranoid
schizophrenia usually surface between the ages of 15 and 34. There is no
cure, but the disorder can be controlled with medications. Severe attacks
may require hospitalization.
Causes
The causes of schizophrenia are still under debate. A chemical imbalance
in the brain seems to play a role, but the reason for the imbalance
remains unclear. We do know that you're a bit more likely to become
schizophrenic if you have a family member with the illness. Stress does
not cause schizophrenia, but can make the symptoms worse.
Signs/Symptoms
Schizophrenia usually develops gradually, although onset can be sudden.
Friends and family often notice the first changes before the victim does.
Among the signs are:
* Confusion
* Inability to make decisions
* Hallucinations
* Changes in eating or sleeping habits, energy level, or weight
* Delusions
* Nervousness
* Strange statements or behavior
* Withdrawal from friends, work, or school
* Neglect of personal hygiene
* Anger
* Indifference to the opinions of others
* A tendency to argue
* A conviction that you are better than others, or that people are out to
get you
Care
Drugs such as (deleted) combat symptoms in 4 out of 5 patients. An acute
attack usually can be cleared up in 4 to 8 weeks. Counseling and group
therapy help recovering patients to understand the disease and to function
effectively.
Risks
Without medication and therapy, most paranoid schizophrenics are unable
to function in the real world. If they fall victim to severe
hallucinations and delusions, they can be a danger to themselves and those
around them.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're There
Treatment for an acute attack can require full-time hospitalization in a
locked inpatient unit. As symptoms subside, you may be transferred to a
partial care program in which you are able to return home after each day's
therapy. Inpatients may wear their own clothes, but are customarily
searched for sharp objects such as scissors or nail files, which are held
in a staff office. Patients who present a danger outside the hospital can
be involuntarily hospitalized for up to 3 days by the police or a doctor.
While hospitalized, you may encounter the following procedures.
* Group Therapy: These meetings are somewhat like a support group
session, allowing patients to share coping strategies. The meetings are
run by medical staff.
* Individual Therapy: This is a time for you to meet alone with your
therapist to discuss ways of dealing with the illness.
* Family Meetings: In these sessions, medical staff will prepare you and
your family for your return home.
* Time Out: If you become unable to control yourself, the staff may
separate you from the other patients, either in your own room or---if you
seem violent---in a "safety room."
* Restraints: Patients who pose a danger to themselves or others may be
physically restrained with leather bands.
* Electroconvulsive (e-LEK-tro-kun-VUL-siv) Therapy: For patients who
become severely withdrawn or depressed, this form of treatment can help
speed recovery. Also known as ECT or shock therapy, it applies a mild
electric current to the brain. Although the treatment temporarily disrupts
the memory, full recall typically returns within 2 weeks.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
* Be sure to take your prescribed medication regularly. Symptoms will
return if you stop taking the drug. Since these medications can make you
drowsy, be cautious when using machinery or driving until you know how the
drug affects you. Check with your doctor before taking any other drugs,
either prescription or over-the-counter.
* Avoid alcohol and recreational drugs. They can interact with your
medication, causing extreme drowsiness and other potentially serious
effects.
* Since it's hard to avoid stress, learn to control it with such
techniques as deep breathing, relaxing muscles, meditation, or
biofeedback. Try not to bottle-up your feelings; talk to your doctors,
family, or friends and let them help you. You may also want to join a
support group.
* Encourage those close to you to talk to your doctor. He can give them
tips on how to respond to the situation.
Call Your Doctor If...
* You're unable to sleep well or find that you are sleeping more than usual.
* You undergo a change in appetite.
* Your medicine makes you drowsy, dizzy, or sick to your stomach.
* You develop any twitches or involuntary movements.
Seek Care Immediately If...
* You begin to have thoughts of suicide or homicide. No delusions of persecution. Your daily rips are no delusion; they
constitute religious persecution. You say every ugly thing you can
think of merely because our beliefs differ. You don't believe in an American right: Freedom of Religion.
No delusions of "personal grandeur. You're merely jealous that my life
has been 10 times more interesting than yours, and I've been blessed
with numerous visitations from God, nothing unusual for a Christian,
but something an apostate heretic, such as yourself would not relate
to. No I respond to your disgusting personal attacks on those - including
myself who disagree with you. I don't "differ" with your beliefs - I
regard them as too stupid and delusional to reach the level of
disagreement with them - frankly I pity you, I see you as a sad and sorry
victim of religious abuse. I do not believe in your claim to have the right to vilify and insult
others which you base on a violently distorted and sick version of the
Christian message in which I was brought up But I do believe in your right to proper, relevant and supportive medical
treatment. I do believe it is wrong to leave mentally ill people
floundering without any real hope and with only their delusions to support
them
And i sincerely hope you will bosth seek and receive whatever relevant
charitable help is available
