Schizophrenia (psychiatric disease)
About Schizophrenia (psychiatric disease)
A psychiatric disease characterized by a distorted interpretation of reality resulting in hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking and behavior. Contrary to belief it does not mean a split personality. Untreated, the disease can cause severe emotional, behavioral, health, and legal and financial problems. Lifelong treatment is needed, and can enable many patients to live normal productive lives. This is a serious mental disorder with about 10% of patients committing suicide. The disease usually first appears in the teenage years.Symptoms
Symptoms typically begin gradually and worsen with time and include: trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, withdrawing from family and friends, bizarre motor behavior in which there is less reaction to the environment (catatonic behavior), false beliefs or thoughts (delusions), hearing voices, seeing things (hallucinations), thoughts race between unrelated topics (disordered thinking).Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Substance abuse (drug use) can cause similar symptoms. Tests may be done to rule out other causes of the symptoms such as thyroid disease, electrolyte problems, drug abuse, and adverse drug interactions.Common tests: Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP).
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms but may include: antipsychotic medications (haloperidol/Haldol, clozapine/Clozaril, risperidone/Risperdal, olanzapine/Zyprexa, quetiapine/Seroquel, ziprasidone/Geodon, aripiprazole/Abilify, paliperidone/Invega), psychiatric and psychologic counseling, and/or hospitalizations.Medical specialties
Psychiatry · Pediatric and Adolescent Psychiatry
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Schizophrenia (psychiatric disease).