What *Is* Schizophrenia, Exactly?

You've probably heard the term “schizophrenic” or “schizo” used to describe a person or action that just doesn't make sense any other way. Since the word does mean “split mind”, it's understandable to think that it can be the cause of split personalities or inexplicable acts of violence. This, however, isn't entirely true; the illness is much more complicated than that. To possibly dispel some myths and just because I think it's interesting, here are some basic facts about the disorder.

The most distinctive symptoms of schizophrenia are hallucinations and delusions. Simply put, they will perceive things that aren't there and have ideas about the world and themselves that aren't true. A visual example could be the way Russell Crowe (“John Nash”) would see a roommate and his niece in A Beautiful Mind, as well as believing he was on some sort of mission from the government. Schizophrenics may also have odd body movements (catatonia, rocking back and forth, etc) and outbursts of emotion that don't fit the current situation. These could be things like laughing at a funeral or getting really angry and upset with someone out of the blue. Sometimes they won't express emotion at all, or not enjoy things they used to. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, a person's faulty thought processes may prevent them from working or handling the functions of daily life. Eventually they can learn to be independent, but many require a caregiver at least some of the time.

There is no “one form” of schizophrenia, and schizophrenics don't always behave the same way even “within forms”. One person who has it can be thought to be evil incarnate (i.e. Hitler, possibly) while another is nice but “not all there” (my friend's mom). These types are:

Paranoid-This is the type most people think of when they hear the term “schizophrenia”. They will have hallucinations and delusions that someone is out to get them, that they're being plotted against because they have some sort of special skill that someone else wants. Most schizophrenics aren't violent, but sometimes these delusions and hallucinations will lead a person feel threatened or think of themselves as being some sort of “higher power”.

Disorganized- This is the kind of schizophrenia that causes the garbled, nonsensical speech and odd behavior many people think of when they think of mental illness. Their thought processes are so disorganized that they have problems with basic hygiene and daily living, as well as inappropriate and erratic reactions. Think of the person who talks to himself and wears a thick coat in July and you have an idea. They don't have as many delusions or hallucinations as other types, but it does happen.

Catatonic- This is characterized by bizarre, involuntary physical movements (or lack thereof). They might look like they're moving in slow motion or stuck in a strange pose.

Occasionally they'll mimic the speech and behavior of those around them. Remember how your little brother would tease you by repeating everything you say? A catatonic schizophrenic may do this too, but it's completely involuntary. Don't slap them or tell Mom like you did with him.

Residual-This is a sort of “remission”, where a person who had symptoms before, but no longer does.

Schizophrenia, Part II

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The assumptions about a person having a character flaw rather than a medical illness aren't true about mental disorders in general, but they are even less true about schizophrenia. This is because the brains of people with schizophrenia are actually structured differently from the ones of “normal” people. Like in the heart, the brain has pockets called ventricles that contain essential fluids. Recent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans have shown that the ventricles in the brains of schizophrenics are slightly larger than normal, meaning that they have less brain tissue to work with. The difference-3%-might not sound very big, but it does make a difference in how the brain functions. This is only one component and it is not unique to schizophrenia, but it-along with genetics-is one of the important factors doctors have found when it comes to diagnosing and treating the illness.

Another theory is that the brain doesn't develop properly in the womb, causing some of the neurotransmitters to have “faulty connections” that don't accurately process and relay the things our eyes, skin, etc perceive in the world.

Whatever the cause, medical science has come a long way in treating schizophrenia and helping the person handle their daily life. Antipsychotic medications have been very helpful when it comes to the brain chemicals that are out of whack, although some of them have bad side effects. There are ways to reduce these side effects, but it often takes doctors a lot of time and error to figure out which drugs or drug combinations work the best. Along with their families, a patient can learn how to work their lives around their symptoms and organize their thoughts well enough to be able to hold a job or work around their symptoms. For example, Russell Crowe's character in A Beautiful Mind eventually learned to think through and ignore the hallucinations. There may be support groups for both sufferers and family members available. The goal is to keep the person out of the hospital and to teach them how to manage their condition effectively.

When it comes to a disorder as complex and interesting as schizophrenia, I'm only reaching the tip of the iceberg. For more information, visit http://www.schizophrenia.com/#.

Is Your Family At Risk For Tourettes Syndrome?

Having a lifelong condition that inhibits you to have total control over your body is a very scary thing. Emotionally it can result in a very challenging time to obtain true friendships, obtain a successful career and even a romantic relationship as well. For the folks that suffer from Tourette syndrome this is a just another typical day for them.

Tourettes is not contagious, but it is certainly hereditary and can continue to effect a family for many generations. It was first discovered in 1885 but a man named Georges de la Tourette who became a famous physician just by helping those with the disorder. The range of symptoms that one with Tourettes can suffer from is an extremely wide spectrum as no two patients suffer from the exact same side effects of this brain disorder. Most people associate someone having Tourettes disease with an individual that is mentally challenged in some form and that is completely false. sure there will be cases of those with mental ailments that possess Tourettes, but that is no different than a person that is mentally handicapped having a lisp as the two are not related.

The symptoms can start to develop very slowly with one day you cannot control your eye movement for a few times in just one day, to it gradually taking over your entire day. The movements is begins with are subtle ones and they simply evolve from there. Specialists have reported that most patients with Tourettes disease began their journey with their symptoms developing when they were still children under the age of ten years old.

These symptoms of Tourettes are referred to medically as “tics”. They can be anything from cracking your knuckles to jumping in place to barking. The tics are obviously somewhat distracting to the outside world and make it very challenging to live a normal life for these patients as well as their family members. Imagine going to dinner with your children and all evening long your child is barking at the table or even worse, they are yelling explicit curse words. It can definitely be a struggle for these families, but the best way to cope with it is to realize that you cannot stress over things in life that you simply cannot change.

If you or your child has Tourettes you cannot take it away, but what you can do is begin to look for any therapies that may be very useful to help them out. To get an accurate diagnosis, the patient must be suffering from their tics for around one full year. There are many prescription drugs available to begin treatment for the tics and some people have found great relief in those medications. The worst part of living with Tourettes is learning how to effectively cope with all of it. Emotionally it can be very draining and the older you become with the ailment the more challenging it becomes. Talk to any specialists regarding Tourettes treatments and get all of the help that you can as soon as you or your loved one has been diagnosed with it.

How To Have Better Sleep At Night

Sleeping is one of those things you either have no issues with, or you need to do everything in your power to obtain. It is however, something that everyone needs to have on a regular basis in order to function properly. Learning how to have a better sleep at night is the first step to a healthier you.

Not having enough sleep can really deprive you of your day. It can make your brain appear a bit foggy, your tired, your body aches, and you cannot function at the level you once did. When being a parent, getting sleep is even more crucial. You have to be at your best to care for little ones, and during those baby stages sleep can seem like something in a fairytale.

The first part of sleeping well on a regular basis is making the right choices during the day to ensure you will be able to rest. For example, if you choose to down a few cups of coffee each day your body may not be able to respond to this very well and as a result you are lacking in good, quality sleep. Instead, make certain that you are not consuming any foods that have the potential to keep you awake at night. Coffees, teas, sodas, chocolate candies etc...while these are fine in the morning or lunch hours, you need to cut them off at least three hours before calling it a night.

Exercise is a must! You have to wear your body out in order to make it sleepy and exercise has a way of making your body run more effectively. It can help you sleep better at night, just by walking a few days per week, do not be put off by thinking you need to get in some activity each day that has to be inside a fitness center as that is not the case. Use whatever means you have to get fit for a bit a few times per week, and you will sleep better at night.

Reading and bathing are two excellent ways to get the body ready for sleep. Your brain cannot be put to rest until you advise it to. This means you should truly stop working and watching television each night and pick up a good book instead. Reading for a few minutes in bed can relax the brain and also expand it. Reading as an activity makes the brain smarter, it exercises your mind and then you are gaining two great things at once. Taking a bath or hot shower can relax you for rest as well. Get some great soaps on board that you love the smell of, put on comfortable clothing that allows you to breathe while sleeping and getting bed with a great book. It usually works every time!

Do You Know How To Feed Your Brain?

Are you one of those people that is more inclined to do activities to use your brain more effectively than to sit in front of the television? If so, then you are actually expanding your life and not decreasing by spending too much time not working out your brain. Yes, your brain needs a workout just as much as your body does. Think of how you feel when you sit around doing very little all day long. Think about how you feel after you have read a good book or completed a crossword puzzle and compare the two. When your brain is stimulated it is happy and when it is happy it begins to give off more pleasant emotions and your entire body will be functioning more effectively.

Did you know that you eat to feed your brain also? It is true, there are certain foods that your brain prefers and that it will operate more quickly if you eat them. Fish for example is an excellent food for your brain. It contains a lot of protein and it also contains many good fats that your body is not able to develop on it’s own. Omega-3 fats are in fish and they are excellent for your brain to function better overall, they produce more mental clarity and help improve your memory as well. They can also control your weight better for you, which is one less thing your brain will have to do. Water is also fantastic for your brain. When you do not drink enough water you instantly become dehydrated, and when that occurs you develop headaches and become tired during the day as well.

Drinking more water helps to flush out your body which is another task you can relieve your brain form doing. When you do not eat enough during the day you are also depriving your brain of all the vitamins and nutrients that it so badly needs to operate properly. Think of how you feel when you have gone hours without eating and how quick your mind is to respond to the activities of the day. It is not very sharp and it could be if you fed it the right foods. Do not go more than a few hours without eating something, anything even if it is just a bottle of juice. Also eat plenty of fish, foods with lots of protein, good sources of carbohydrates such as ones from vegetables and whole grains. Consume enough water to stay on top of your game and do not eat something sweet everyday.

If you give your brain at least a day off in between eating fattening and sweet foods, you will notice a change in the way you feel. Your body needs a rest from trying to process all of those unhealthy foods. Eat healthy very other day of you have to until you can get on a better schedule, at least that is a step in the right direction and you will begin to sleep better and feel better when you would normally be struggling with those on a daily basis.