Introduction 

Recognized as a severe and disabling brain disorder, Schizophrenia is a chronic, psychiatric condition which impairs a patient’s cognitive function. Schizophrenia is found in populations all over the world and is estimated to affect 1% of Americans. The disorder is distributed equally between women and men but frequently appears in men at a younger age, often in their late teens to early twenties and in women more often in their twenties to early thirties. The disorder is found in ethnic groups across the globe.

 

The condition has severe lasting implications for social function and is characterised by a number of symptoms ranging from delusions and hallucinations to a lack of motivation and social isolation. Sufferers commonly experience a sudden onset of psychotic symptoms which distorts sensory perception, rendering them incapable of separating reality from their imaginative and perceived experiences.

 

Whilst multiple treatments are effective in reducing the symptoms and controlling the illness in some patients, unpleasant side affects or other personal reason may cause patients to cease treatment and in some individuals treatment may not be helpful.

Whilst schizophrenia in itself is not terminal, the actions of individuals suffering from the condition may cause harm to themselves or others and the behavioral changes can be very distressing for both the patient and their family and friends.

 

Schizophrenia can be managed with antipsychotic pharmacotherapy treatment or cognitive behavioral intervention or both. In some individuals the manifestation of schizophrenia presents as a single psychotic episode, others may have several of these psychotic episode between which they can enjoy a fulfilling life and others may suffer from chronic schizophrenia where they are unable to completely recover and require treatment to control symptoms throughout their life. Whilst ongoing research may offer hope for long term sufferers in the future at present it is estimated that only one out five individuals suffering from schizophrenia will make a full recovery.

 

 

Although schizophrenia affects men and women with equal frequency, the disorder often appears earlier in men, usually in the late teens or early twenties, than in women, who are generally affected in the twenties to early thirties. People with schizophrenia often suffer terrifying symptoms such as hearing internal voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them. These symptoms may leave them fearful and withdrawn. Their speech and behavior can be so disorganized that they may be incomprehensible or frightening to others. Available treatments can relieve many symptoms, but most people with schizophrenia continue to suffer some symptoms throughout their lives; it has been estimated that no more than one in five individuals recovers completely.

Some people have only one such psychotic episode; others have many episodes during a lifetime, but lead relatively normal lives during the interim periods. However, the individual with “chronic” schizophrenia, or a continuous or recurring pattern of illness, often does not fully recover normal functioning and typically requires long-term treatment, generally including medication, to control the symptoms.