Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia represents a group of psychotic disorders characterised by significant disturbances in thought, emotion and behaviour.

Schizophrenia is an illness which affects the normal functioning of the brain; it interferes with a person’s ability to think, feel and act. A person with schizophrenia will usually experience changes in behaviour, perception and thinking which can distort their sense of reality.

• Schizophrenia is a potentially serious mental illness which affects almost one person in 100. The term covers several related disorders, all with overlapping symptoms.
• The first onset of schizophrenia is usually in adolescence or early adulthood, particularly in males, although it can develop later, especially in females. The onset may be rapid, developing over several weeks, or it may be slow, over months or years.
• Some people experience only one or more brief episodes and recover fully. Others may have to deal with the illness throughout their lives.
• Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the course of the illness and reduce the short and longer term impact on the person's life.
• Schizophrenia is not 'split' personality or intellectual disability.

Symptoms of schizophrenia can be described as positive or negative. Positive symptoms mean additional behaviours that the person experiences which are not usual for the general population. Positive symptoms include:

• Thought disorder - thought and speech may become jumbled and difficult to follow. Conversation may jump from one subject to another without apparent logical connections, and reasoning processes make little sense to other people. 
• Delusions - where the person holds false beliefs about being persecuted, being under outside control, or of being in some way 'special' or 'powerful'. These beliefs may seem bizarre to others and may continue to be held despite contradictory evidence. 
• Hallucinations - though these can occur in any of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste and touch) they most commonly involve hearing voices. The person may experience one or more voices, often threatening or pejorative, conversing or commenting on their behaviour or thoughts. Hallucinations are experienced as very real by the individual and can be very disruptive.

Negative symptoms mean the absence of thoughts and behaviours that the general population would have. Negative symptoms include:

• loss of drive, initiative or motivation; 
• reduced ability to express emotions or respond appropriately to people; 
• withdrawal from contact with other people; 
• lack of insight into own behaviour and thinking, and denial of the illness; 
• side effects of medication. While medication is improving, many side effects may be unpleasant and disruptive.
• Social withdrawal may occur as a result of a combination of the above symptoms, leaving the person lonely and isolated, unable to work or pursue leisure activities.

The causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood. It is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Biological risk factors include:

• genetics: people who have a parent with schizophrenia have a higher percentage (10%) of developing this mental illness themselves;
• biochemical: certain chemicals in the brain are involved in the development of the disorder;
• pregnancy and birth complications: foetal abnormalities have been identified as a contributing factor.

Psychological risk factors include:

• adverse past experience: victim of physical or emotional abuse or trauma.

Social risk factors include:

• stressful life events such as : i.e. changing job losss, family conflict, financial difficulties, loss of a loved one, work pressure;
• substance abuse: use of marijuana, LSD and speed can trigger the first episode of schizophrenia.

Treatment:

• No cure is known for schizophrenia, but great advances have been made in early management as well as longer term control of the illness. Early detection of the initial symptoms (early psychosis) and their management with medication, psychotherapy, social support and family programs can help to return the person to optimal functioning in work, education, and personal life.
• Care is primarily in the community through community mental health services. However, the person may require a period of time in hospital if they are having an acute episode or are potentially at risk of harming themselves.
• If the illness is recurrent or chronic, some people may require assistance with finances, accommodation, employment and social support. Rehabilitation and support programs may also play an ongoing role.

Psychosis is a cluster of specific symptoms such as disordered thinking, hallucinations and delusions. It can occur as a single episode, as a response to physiological conditions like starvation, as a temporary reaction to substance use, or as part of an ongoing illness like schizophrenia or a related disorder.

The term ‘psychotic’ is an adjective of psychosis and refers specifically to this condition. A psychotic illness is one in which the symptoms of psychosis can occur (like schizophrenia) but a person does not necessarily experience psychotic symptoms all the time.

Contacts and Other Resources

Schizophrenia Fellowships

ACT
(02) 6287 4214

NSW
(02) 9879 2600
www.sfnsw.org.au

NT
(08) 8999 4945

Qld
(07) 3358 4424
(South Queensland)

(07) 4725 3664
(North Queensland)

SA
(08) 8221 5160
www.sfnsw.org.au

Vic
(03) 9482 4199
Mental Illness Fellowship
www.mifellowship.org

WA
(08) 9380 6688

SANE Australia
www.sane.org
(03) 9682 5933

Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC)
(Victoria)
(03) 9342 2800
www.eppic.org.au

Mental Health First Aid
www.mhfa.com.au
First Aid Guidelines for Psychosis
First Aid Article www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17768307


General mental illness contacts are listed in the Contacts section of this website.