SCHIZOPHRENIA!!!SCHIZOPHRENIA!!!

This is a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized This is a high school AP Psychology course. This is a fictionalized account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this account of having a psychological ailment. For questions about this blog project or its content please email the teacher Chris Jocham: blog project or its content please email the teacher Chris Jocham:

jocham@fultonschools.orgjocham@fultonschools.org

CausesCauses

Experts are not sure on what causes it.Experts are not sure on what causes it.Genetics may play a roleGenetics may play a role

For example, during development in the For example, during development in the mother’s womb or stressful psychological mother’s womb or stressful psychological experiences may increase the risk.experiences may increase the risk.

How common is it?How common is it?

Schizophrenia affects Schizophrenia affects about 1% of people about 1% of people worldwide. It occurs worldwide. It occurs equally among men equally among men and women. In and women. In women it tends to women it tends to begin later and be begin later and be milder. milder.

SymptomsSymptoms

Appearance that Appearance that shows no emotionshows no emotion

Catatonic behaviorCatatonic behavior DelusionsDelusions HallucinationsHallucinations Disordered ThinkingDisordered Thinking

Signs and TestsSigns and Tests

The following factors may suggest a The following factors may suggest a schizophrenia diagnosis, but may not schizophrenia diagnosis, but may not conform itconform itHow long symptoms have lastedHow long symptoms have lastedChanges from level of functionChanges from level of functionDevelopmental BackgroundDevelopmental Background

TreatmentsTreatments

Antipsychotic medications can be the most effective Antipsychotic medications can be the most effective treatment for schizophrenia.treatment for schizophrenia.

Common side effects from these medications may Common side effects from these medications may includeinclude SleepinessSleepiness Weight GainWeight Gain Muscle SpasmsMuscle Spasms

Support Programs and TreatmentSupport Programs and Treatment

Problem-focused therapy maybe helpful for many peopleProblem-focused therapy maybe helpful for many people Behavioral Techniques can be used to improve function Behavioral Techniques can be used to improve function

socially and at work.socially and at work. Family Treatments that combine support and education.Family Treatments that combine support and education.

ExpectationsExpectations

Most people with schizophrenia find that their Most people with schizophrenia find that their symptoms improve with medicationsymptoms improve with medication

However, others have functional disability and However, others have functional disability and are at risk for repeated episodes, especially are at risk for repeated episodes, especially during the early stages of the illness. during the early stages of the illness.

ComplicationsComplications

People with schizophrenia have a high risk People with schizophrenia have a high risk of developing a substance abuse problem. of developing a substance abuse problem. Use of alcohol or other drugs increase the risk Use of alcohol or other drugs increase the risk

of relapseof relapse Inactive lifestyleInactive lifestyleNot taking complicationsNot taking complications

Prevention Prevention

There is no known way to prevent There is no known way to prevent schizophrenia.schizophrenia.

How I feel?How I feel?

Schizophrenia makes Schizophrenia makes me feel paranoid all me feel paranoid all the time with many the time with many voices running voices running through my head. I through my head. I feel like someone is feel like someone is out to get me!!!out to get me!!!

Flat AffectFlat Affect

I often don’t show any emotions when I often don’t show any emotions when people talk to me. I feel like nothing is people talk to me. I feel like nothing is worth expressing feelings.worth expressing feelings.

Catatonic BehaviorCatatonic Behavior

When people crack jokes I find nothing When people crack jokes I find nothing funny and when I’m at school I find myself funny and when I’m at school I find myself not talking to anyone. not talking to anyone.

DelusionsDelusions

At school and when I’m at home, I feel like At school and when I’m at home, I feel like people are constantly talking about me. I people are constantly talking about me. I feel my mom will punish me if I say feel my mom will punish me if I say anything to her. anything to her.

Hallucinations Hallucinations When I’m out in public I hear voices telling When I’m out in public I hear voices telling

me to do bad things. They also tell me that me to do bad things. They also tell me that no one likes me and I should harm the no one likes me and I should harm the people around me. people around me.

Disorganized Speech Disorganized Speech

Whenever I do talk to a person, I find myself Whenever I do talk to a person, I find myself shifting from one topic to another.shifting from one topic to another.

Also I make up words that have no meaning and Also I make up words that have no meaning and say things over and over again. say things over and over again.

Inappropriate ReactionInappropriate Reaction

When I went to my When I went to my grandmother’s grandmother’s funeral, I suddenly funeral, I suddenly started laughing out started laughing out of nowhere and of nowhere and everybody stared at everybody stared at me. I knew something me. I knew something was wrong with me!was wrong with me!

Medication Medication

When the doctor prescribed me some When the doctor prescribed me some medication called Clozapine it caused me medication called Clozapine it caused me to twitch .to twitch .

DepressionDepression

I often feel much anxiety and depressed I often feel much anxiety and depressed all the time. Sometimes I won’t even eat all the time. Sometimes I won’t even eat because of the mood I’m in. because of the mood I’m in.

ConclusionConclusion

Schizophrenia is a disorder that I’m Schizophrenia is a disorder that I’m learning to cope with. It is very hard at learning to cope with. It is very hard at times but I think I may be able to get times but I think I may be able to get through it. through it.