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Index of Diseases and Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe, lifelong brain disorder. People who have it may hear voices, see things that aren't there or believe that others are reading or controlling their minds. In men, symptoms usually start in the late teens and early 20s. They include hallucinations, or seeing things, and delusions such as hearing voices. For women, they start in the mid-20s to early 30s. Other symptoms include

No one is sure what causes schizophrenia, but your genetic makeup and brain chemistry probably play a role. Medicines can relieve many of the symptoms, but it can take several tries before you find the right drug. You can reduce relapses by staying on your medicine for as long as your doctor recommends. With treatment, many people improve enough to lead satisfying lives.

National Institute of Mental Health

Schizophrenia on Wikipedia

'''Schizophrenia''' is a psychiatry diagnosis denoting a persistent, often chronic, mental illness variously affecting behavior, thinking, and emotion. The term ''schizophrenia'' comes from the Greek language words σχίζω (''schizo'', split or divide) and φρενός (''phrenos'', mind) and can be translated as "shattered mind". The status of schizophrenia is controversy, largely due to the lack of objective criteria for diagnosis and the subsequent difficulty in adequately research an inadequately defined condition. Research has suggested however, that both Genetics and social influences are important contributing factors. Schizophrenia is commonly, but usually incorrectly, assumed to involve a 'Dissociative identity disorder'.

Overview

Schizophrenia is most commonly characterized by both 'positive symptoms' (those additional to normal experience and behavior) and 'negative symptoms' (the lack or decline in normal experience or behavior). Positive symptoms are grouped under the umbrella term psychosis and typically include delusions, hallucinations, and thought disorder. Negative symptoms may include inappropriate emotional displays or flat emotional affect, poverty of speech, and lack of motivation. Some models of schizophrenia include Formal thought disorder and planning problems in a third grouping, the 'disorganization syndrome'. Additionally, neurocognitive deficit may be present. These take the form of reduction or impairment in basic psychological functions such as memory, attention, problem solving, executive function and social cognition. The onset is typically in late adolescence and early adulthood, with males tending to show symptoms earlier than females. Psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin was ...   [ Read More ]


External Resources

Bright Lights Film Journal - Using a mixture of home movies, archival footage of psycho wards, re-enactments, and interviews with her subjects, director Allie Light has created a complex, moving portrait of women in whom depression, schizophrenia, and multiple personalities coexist with powerful, sometimes inspired levels of creativity.

Daniel Craig in 'Some Voices' - Description and pictures of Daniel Craig in his role as Ray, the vulnerable and gentle soul suffering from schizophrenia.

People Say I'm Crazy - Feature film on an artist's struggle with schizophrenia. Synopsis, background information, screening details, and links.

Radio Hole - Performing schizophrenia for the information age.

Radio Hole - Performing schizophrenia for the information age.

The Austin Chronicle: Modest Mouse - Building Nothing Out of Something - Christopher Hess' review: "If nothing else, this collection will further cauterize Modest Mouse's schizophrenia...". Rated 3.5/5.

Alternative Tentacles: Wesley Willis - Biography and death announcement from the Chicago-based independent label includes information on his schizophrenia and leukemia with links.

Back From Brink, Peter Green Plays On - L.A. Times article on Peter's battle with schizophrenia and return to the stage.

Two-Handed Man Interviews Chester Brown - Begins with a discussion of Louis Riel, then covers his earlier career and his thoughts on schizophrenia. Includes complete comic story "My Mom Was a Schizophrenic."

Phinny's LiveJournal - Journal of a Silicon Valley, California artist dealing with manic-depression and schizophrenia since 1983.



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