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

(continued)

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/#.