Schizophrenia Spectrum & other Psychotic Disorders
Schizophrenia is a word of Greek origin and translates to splitting of the mind. The first part, “schiz,” means to split, and “phren” means mind. This is because in schizophrenia, a person experiences a splitting in personality, emotions, thoughts, and reality.
⚠️Symptoms
- Hallucinations — experiencing sensations that are not there (auditory – hearing sounds that aren’t there, like someone talking to you; visual – seeing things that aren’t there; tactile – feeling things touching you that aren’t there; olfactory – experiencing smells and tastes that aren’t there).
- Delusions — strong beliefs that are not true (delusions of grandeur – belief that you’re someone important, especially someone from the past; persecutory delusions – belief that people are plotting against you, and disordered thinking; jealous delusions – belief that your partner is unfaithful even when proven untrue, and a few other types).
- Disorganized thought & speech — difficulty maintaining coherent speech or ideas. Sentences are usually jumbled up, and zoning out during conversations is frequent.
- Movement disorders — unusual jumpiness or agitation; long periods of statue-like stillness called catatonia.
- Lack of social engagement, lack of emotional expression (flat affect), lack of motivation, lapses in memory, concentration, and decision-making
🔍Causes
- Family history/Genetics (runs in the family)
- Substance abuse
- Childhood trauma, trauma, and highly stressful life events (e.g., abuse, loss, heartbreak, disaster)
- Abnormal brain chemistry or structure
💊Treatment Options
- Antipsychotic medications
- Psychotherapy
- Family interventions and support
- Rehabilitation programs, vocational training, and social skills training
🌍African Context
The African Context In our African society, schizophrenia and different psychotic disorders are often linked to spiritual causes. Psychosis is often referred to as “madness” in our society. People are often sent to prayer camps that can sometimes treat patients in an inhumane way. Another assumption is that marijuana makes people “mad”. While this is not the case, substance abuse can trigger the onset of schizophrenia, especially in those who may have a genetic predisposition. Finally, most people with schizophrenia are not violent. Only a few who experience paranoia may attack because of the belief that they are being plotted against. We also often assume schizophrenia is a life sentence, but many who have received medical treatment, psychotherapy, and family support can become functioning members of society. So it’s important to share this information with friends and family so we can help end the stigma around this group of disorders.
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