Schizophrenia affects Essay Example for Free

Schizophrenia affects Essay Schizophrenia affects approximately 2.5 million Americans and more than 24 million people worldwide (Janssen). Schizophrenia is a brain disorder that is very difficult to live with. Schizophrenia has strong hereditary component (Smith, Segal). People with schizophrenia hear voices, lose touch with reality, can’t think clearly, function, see things or hear things that are not really there, and can’t distinguish what is real and what is unreal(Smith, Segal). Having this disorder could affect the relationship they have with others and even loved ones. To students who are non-aware of this disorder should know that this could happen to anyone. The early signs of schizophrenia comes’ without anyone being warned. You might have known someone your whole life and in a blink of an eye it could happen suddenly. Most cases of schizophrenia appear in the late teens or early adulthood. However, schizophrenia can appear for the first time in middle age or even later (Smith, Segal). The disorder is common in men than it is in women. The most common early signs of schizophrenia are insomnia, oversleeping, strange use of words, forgetful, depression, flat gaze, inappropriate laugh or cry, and abandonment at work or school (Smith, Segal). . There are so many other different signs of schizophrenia. Sometimes people with schizophrenia tend to think people are out to get them, or people are poisoning them through their food. Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior are all symptoms of schizophrenia. There are three major types of this disorder: paranoid schizophrenia, disorganized schizophrenia, and catatonic schizophrenia. Schizophrenia affects relationships because people with schizophrenia often get paranoid and suspicious of friends and their family. Drugs and alcohol play a big part in schizophrenia people because they often use drugs and drink to self- medicate themselves. Most of the time people with schizophrenia tend to think they are better and they do not think they need their medicine no longer, so they stop taking their medicine. When they stop  taking their medicine they usually relapse back into the delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and disorganized behavior. Being diagnosed with schizophrenia is a long process. Doctors do an evaluation and ask questions pertaining to family history and the symptoms he or she is having. The doctors then will do a physical examination and see if anything could have caused this problem. The doctors usually will order a CAT scan or MRI to examine the brain for further explanations of the problems. Sometimes when doctors are diagnosing schizophrenia they usually hold them in a behavior floor in the hospital. Methodist Unity Point in Peoria, Illinois has a behavior floor for people with disorders. They watch for symptoms and evaluate their patients so they can diagnose them with the right diagnostics. Being diagnosed with schizophrenia could be devastating, but they can live a wonderful life. If people noticed a change in a loved one, make sure to seek medical attention. The faster people get treatment for schizophrenia they have a higher chance to improve their recovery. If you were to have schizophrenia it would not be your fault that you have it. No one is really sure why people get this disorder but there is no one to blame. It is actually easier for a person to cope with the idea of cancer than it is to understand the odd behavior, hallucinations or strange ideas of a person with schizophrenia (Grohol). People who are close to someone with schizophrenia often are affected by their symptoms. They may see things that aren’t really there or hear things telling them to say thing or do things they really don’t mean. Just know it’s not their fault and show as much love and support for them. People tend to be over-whelmed and their relationship with a person with a schizophrenia disorder eventually falls apart. Do not feel discourage or frightened there is hope for your loved one. REFERENCES Cannon, Tyrone. Cures for Schizophrenia | IMHRO. Cures for Schizophrenia | IMHRO (One Mind Institute). N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014. Grohol, John M. All About Schizophrenia and Psychosis. All About Schizophrenia and Psychosis. N.p., 2 Sept. 2013. Web. 19 Sept. 2013. Pharmaceuticals, Janssen. About Schizophrenia Causes Prevalence of Schizophrenia. Causes Prevalence of Schizophrenia. N.p., 1 Aug. 2013. Web. 19 Sept. 2013. Schizophreniaand Psychosis. All About Schizophrenia and Psychosis. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Oct. 2014. Smith, Melinda, and Jeanne Segal. Schizophrenia: Signs, Types Causes. Schizophrenia: Signs, Symptoms, Types, Causes, and Effects. N.p., July 2013. Web. 17 Sept. 2013.