history of schizophrenia?!

well it was a lot harder to diagnose in the past as so little was known about it...... however people where easily regarded as insane for little things back in the old days.....

that's all i know in relation to how common it is, but i do have lots of info on schizophrenia i'd like to share :) this also helps me revise for a test :) so sorry if i give too much info !

Schizophrenia is commonly seen as someone who has split or multiple personalities....however people who have schizophrenia just have a distruption in cognition (brain processes) and emotion.

in one year 8% of those diagnosed with schizophrenia will commit a serious crime...and although this is higher than people who are not mentally ill, it is a lot less then those who have depression, bipolar etc....

to be diagnosed with schizophrenia you need two or more of the following present for a significant amount of time;
delusions
hallucinations
disorganised speech
catatonic behaviour
negative symptoms...

The symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into positive and negative
positive - things you don't have before.... such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganised thinking.
negative - things that change within your personality.... such as avolition alogia and affective flattening.


POSTIVE SYMPTOMS
delusions - bizarre beliefs that seem real to those with schizophrenia but aren't real.
hallucinations - usually auditory (hearing voices) although sometime can be visual (seeing things) also being able to taste and smell weird things has been recorded in many schizophrenic patients.
disordered thinking - this is where a schizophrenic believe that their thoughts are being broadcast and other people can hear them.

NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS
alogia - this is a reduction in speech. thought to reflect blocked thoughts or things not processing properly.
avolition - this is what catatonic behaviour, which is where the individual will do nothing for hours on end....such as sitting still for numerous hours on end without flinching.
affective flattening - reduction in emotion - such as tone of voice, facial expressions, body language etc.

this video should help you understand what it is like for someone suffering with schizophrenia

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEXyqe85c…

it should give you a clearer understanding about the positive and negative symptoms

if you need any more info such as studies into schizophrenia, treatment, different explanations such as biological and psychological then you can email me at courtneymavorcook@yahoo.co.uk or facebook me... whatever ! :)

hope this has helped!

look through this site...and it's credible.

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/sc…