My Health Digest
My Health Digest
The reasons
The cause of schizophrenia is unknown, but researchers believe that a combination of genetic, environmental, and other brain chemistry factors contribute to the disorder. Problems with certain chemicals naturally found in the brain, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia.
Symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia are usually classified into: Positive symptoms: any change in behavior or thoughts (eg: hallucinations, or delusions). Negative symptoms: People seem to withdraw from the world around them at the time, don’t pay attention to daily social interactions, and often appear devoid of emotion
Risk factors
Having a family history of schizophrenia
Certain complications during pregnancy or childbirth, such as poor nutrition or exposure to toxins or viruses, may affect brain development
Taking mind-altering drugs (psychoactive or psychoactive) during teenage or young adult years
Prevent Schizophrenia
British scientists have discovered that it is possible to prevent schizophrenia by calming the immune system in the brain. Brain scans showed an active immune system in patients with schizophrenia and those at high risk of developing the disease. The British Medical Research Council team wants to test anti-inflammatory drugs to treat or even prevent disease
Treatment
There is no cure for schizophrenia. But it can be treated and managed in several ways: Medications Psychotherapy (eg: cognitive behavioral therapy, assertive community therapy, and supportive therapy).