Schizophrenia

As many as 51 million people worldwide suffer from schizophrenia.  People in developed countries are more prone to develop schizophrenia than people in developing countries; the reason for this is unknown.  Schizophrenia is a serious disorder of the mind and brain.  A person affected with schizophrenia has difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality, thinking clearly, acting normal in a social situation, and does not have normal emotional responses.  Schizophrenia is a complex illness, there is no set cause for Schizophrenia, however the top reason that is believed to cause Schizophrenia is multiple mutations in the genes.   Schizophrenia is more prone to males than females, and usually occurs in young adulthood.  Some symptoms of schizophrenia include trouble concentrating, anxiety, hallucinations, delusions, anger, and in catatonic schizophrenia rigid muscles and posture.  Antipsychotic medications are the most effective treatment for schizophrenia, however long-term use of them increases your risk for tardive dykinesia, a movement disorder. 

            Below is a brief video of Ashley, a young woman who suffers from Schizophrenia.  She was in denial of having Schizophrenia, it was until she was arrested and in jail that her symptoms began getting worse, so she seeked for help. 

             I have never seen or witnessed someone who has Schizophrenia, so I cannot imagine how it is.  However, by seeing this brief video, I now have more of an idea of how it can affect a person.  I can’t imagine how someone with this disease copes with it, it must be very difficult, especially when they feel they are getting crazy due to the voices they hear.  Luckily, there are many support groups, and treatments for Schizophrenia.