What is schizophrenia and why do some people hear voices and have hallucinations? Symptoms, causes and treatments
There are still several myths surrounding schizophrenia, which is commonly confused with Dissociative Identity Disorder
SCHIZOPHRENIA is a severe, long-term health condition which leaves sufferers unable to distinguish their own thoughts from reality.
But what are the symptoms and what triggers them?
What is schizophrenia?
Doctors often describe the mental illness as a type of psychosis - which is sometimes triggered by drug abuse or stress.
Psychosis causes people to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them, which can involve hallucinations and "hearing voices".
It can also include the sufferer having delusions, which is when they have a strong belief that isn't shared by others.
Often this can believing that someone is conspiring to harm them.
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
- Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that don't exist.
- Delusions: Unusual beliefs, which aren't based on reality.
- Muddled thoughts: Based on hallucinations or delusions.
- Changes in behaviour.
There are also many myths surrounding the symptoms of schizophrenia.
The most common is that schizophrenia causes a 'split personality' which is, in fact, to do with a completely separate condition called Dissociative Identity Disorder.
While some think that schizophrenia causes violent behaviour - which is actually a result of drug or alcohol abuse.
What causes schizophrenia?
Research suggests the condition is brought on by a combination of physical, genetic, psychological and environmental factors.
Some people may be genetically prone to schizophrenia, and a stressful or emotional life event could trigger a psychotic episode.
These are the risk factors...
Genetics
Schizophrenia is known to run in families - but no single gene is thought to be responsible.
Research often involves twin studies, which has shown that if someone develops schizophrenia, their identical twin has a 50 per cent chance of developing it too.
This is true even if they are raised separately, with different learned behaviours and environmental influences.
With non-identical twins, the second twin has a one in seven chance of developing schizophrenia.
This is compared to a one per cent chance of developing schizophrenia for most people.
These studies show a clear genetic link, but also suggest that genes are not the only factor.
Other risk factors
- Brain development: Those with schizophrenia often have subtle structural differences in their brains. These changes aren't seen in everyone with schizophrenia, and can occur in people without any mental illness.
- Neurotransmitters: Research suggests schizophrenia may be partly caused by two neurotransmitters, dopamine and serotonin. This could either be down to an imbalance in the levels, of a change in the body's sensitivity to neurotransmitters.
- Childbirth complications: Babies born prematurely, at a low weight, and with a lack of oxygen (asphyxia) are more likely to develop schizophrenia.
- Stress: Although not a cause, stress is a trigger for schizophrenia in people who are already predisposed to the condition. Examples of stress include grief, unemployment, losing your home, divorce, a break-up, and physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
- Drug abuse: Another trigger - in particular use of cannabis, cocaine, LSD and amphetamines. Three major studies found teens under 15 who regularly smoked potent cannabis variation skunk were up to four times more likely to develop schizophrenia, by the time they turned 26.
How is schizophrenia treated?
Normally with a combination of medication and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Community mental health teams also offer day-to-day help and support and treatment.
Many people recover from schizophrenia, but can experience relapses if it's not managed.
When living with schizophrenia, it's important to recognise the signs of an acute episode, take medication as prescribed, and talk to others about the condition.
More in mental health
