What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder often difficult to determine based on a variety of symptoms and a lack of clear-known direct causes. Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder thought to be caused by an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that causes hallucinations, delusions, confusion, and many other symptoms. There are many misconceptions about this disease, in part because it is so hard to identify. It is not a split personality or multi-personality disorder, as is commonly mistaken. People suffering from schizophrenia are often not aware of the problem and might not realize something is wrong, or they may deny it. The disease impacts the ability to think clearly, thus sometimes covering up symptoms. There is currently no cure, but treatments are available to help those suffering lead productive lives.
Potential Causes of Schizophrenia
The exact cause of this condition is unknown, and there may not be one single cause. Research suggests a combination of factors contribute to the likelihood of an individual developing schizophrenia. These factors include:
- Genetics. Schizophrenia runs in families. However, no single gene is the specific culprit. People with a history of the disorder in their family are much more likely to develop schizophrenia.
- Physical factors. Differences in the structure of the brain are seen in those with schizophrenia. Neurotransmitters, the chemicals that carry messages in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, appear to contribute to schizophrenia.
- Birth complications. Some problems in childbirth, such as a lack of oxygen or low birth weight, may have had subtle effects on the brain. Viruses or nutritional deficiencies during prenatal development may also be a factor.
- It is thought chances may go up for people with an overactive immune system.
- Environmental factors can contribute, such as exposure to trauma or violence. Drug abuse as a young person appears to add to the problem.
There are a number of things that help trigger schizophrenia, with stress being the leading trigger. Drug use and trauma can also contribute.
Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia
This mental disorder includes multiple symptoms, although all are not exclusive to schizophrenia, including:
- Hallucinations
- Delusions
- Disorganized thinking and speech
- Inability to concentrate
- Social withdrawal
- Lack of motivation
- Unusual emotions or behaviors
- Unusual body movements
- Difficulty in making decisions
- Poor hygiene
- Changes in sleep patterns
Confusion Between Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, and Schizophrenia
As mentioned, schizophrenia is often confused with other mental disorders, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.
- Schizoaffective Disorder is known as a version of schizophrenia, a more advanced form that also includes a mood component involving mania or depression. Other symptoms are much the same as schizophrenia. Medical News Today states that 0.3% of the population is thought to have schizoaffective disorder, while 0.25% to 0.64% have schizophrenia.
- Bipolar Disorder comes in several forms, and it also has overlapping symptoms with schizophrenia. The difference is that bipolar disorder includes extreme mood shifts between mania and high energy that can interrupt activities and lead to low depression, whereas schizophrenia includes hallucinations and delusions. However, severe bipolar disorder can include hallucinations or delusions, so it is easy to confuse the two.
All these noted conditions often share similar treatments in addition to symptoms. A physician and research are needed to determine an individual’s diagnosis and treatment plan.
Treatments for Schizophrenia
There are treatments that can help control schizophrenia. These, along with support from family and community and talk therapy can help manage symptoms. The CAMH lists a number of treatments, as follows:
- Medication is the main treatment for schizophrenia. Drugs known as antipsychotics can help treat schizophrenia by altering one’s brain chemistry. These may be used as well as mood stabilizers, sedatives, antidepressants, and medications to help with side effects.
- Brain stimulation therapies are an innovative treatment plan that could include electroconvulsive therapy and transcranial magnetic stimulation.
- Psychosocial therapy and support groups may help people develop recovery skills, learn how to adapt to symptoms, and deal with everyday life. Support from family and friends is key to helping in this treatment category.
Research Studies for Schizophrenia
Research studies are currently being conducted for schizophrenia at a variety of clinical sites across the U.S., including Aim Trials in the Dallas, Texas area. These studies include a variety of types of medicine to target, treat, or suppress the neurotransmitters that are likely contributing to the cause and severity of the disease. Another type of treatment under research is transcranial magnetic stimulation, a treatment that stimulates neurons in the brain to help with mood and is more commonly used to treat depression. Other technologies including brain imaging, bioinformatics, genetic research, and computational neuroscience, are all being researched to advance the understanding of schizophrenia and potential new treatments.
Aim Trials DFW and Schizophrenia
Aim Trials, a clinical research site located in Plano, Texas, is proud to be a part of the medical research community, helping in the fight to treat and hopefully someday cure schizophrenia. Schizophrenia trials and those for pediatric schizophrenia and adolescent schizophrenia are usually part of the Current Studies taking place at Aim Trials. To learn more about studies at Aim Trials, visit our web site and complete the contact form, or call (972) 325-1573 to see if you, your child, or a family member is a good candidate for a clinical research study.