Schizophrenia
is one of the most disturbing diseases known to human beings. This disease has
been long misunderstood in the past and even today is still considered by some
as synonymous with multiple personality. While the definition for the word Schizophrenia
is “split mind”, the disease is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, loss
of contact with reality, bizarre behaviour, disorganized thinking and speech,
decreased emotional expressiveness, and social withdrawal.
While
schizophrenia can develop from chemical imbalances in the brain, structural brain
abnormalities, or result because of a family history of the disease, the exact
cause of schizophrenia is unknown. The occurrence of the disease is the same
in both women and men. However, women tend to encounter the illness less severely,
with fewer hospitalizations and better social functioning in the community. Despite
scientists’ inability to pinpoint an exact cause or cure for schizophrenia, there
is effective treatment that can improve the long-term course of the illness such
as antipsychotic drugs (neuroleptics) as well as skills training and rehabilitation
programs to help sufferers of schizophrenia reconnect to society.
