Scientific breakthroughs have enabled the human species to understand more about the universe and its structure. What science has bestowed upon the human race is the ability to probe into the human mind and explore the fundamental mechanism that lies deep at its core. Extensive scientific probing has enabled scientists to identify a variety of mental disorders that can alter an individual’s way of life.

One of the most intriguing mental conditions is schizophrenia, with many famous people falling victim to this disorder. People diagnosed with this condition suffer from a distorted perception of the world, causing them to think, react and feel different. To other people, these patients may seem to be stuck in an invisible bubble, losing touch with reality. Perhaps the most notable person to be diagnosed with this crippling disease is Nobel Laureate in Economics, John Nash. His personal story has been documented in the book, “A Beautiful Mind” and adapted for the big screens as well, portrayed by Russell Crowe.

*Although Schizophrenia is not a common disease, it can have serious life and health complications. Much alike to other health conditions such as leukemia and diabetes, there is no permanent solution to this condition. However, schizophrenia can be effectively kept under control with the prescription of effective treatment methods. According to statistics provided by the National Institute of Mental Health, schizophrenia affects 1% of the global adult population.

What are the Causes?Schizophrenia can be caused be a combination of genetics elements and environmental factors. Studies have shown that individuals with close relatives suffering from schizophrenia have a 6.5% risk of suffering from the same illness. If one of the parents is affected, the child’s risk is estimated at 13%. If both parents are positively diagnosed, there is a 50% chance that it will pass down to their offspring.

Environmental factors such as drug abuse , living conditions, and prenatal stress can potentially lead to the development of schizophrenia. Experiences of traumatic events, childhood abuse , and trauma can cause psychosis, which leads to the onset of schizophrenia as well.

What are the symptoms?Schizophrenia typically presents itself in individuals aged between 16 and 30. The symptoms of this condition can be labeled as positive, negative or cognitive.

Positive symptomsPatients are exhibiting signs that they have lost touch with reality fall under this category. These people are susceptible to delusions, hallucinations, and disrupted thought process. They display abnormal and illogical ways of thinking, brought on by the altered perception of the outside world.

Negative Symptoms
In contrast, negative symptoms are related to an individual’s behavior and feelings. They would experience difficulty in expressing themselves and are unlikely to find joy in what they do. They would also find it difficult to participant in activities, essentially withdrawing themselves and refuse to communicate with others.

CognitiveLast, cognitive signs are subtle and might require an extended period of time before a conclusive diagnosis can be made. Patients tend to have trouble focusing, experience problems retrieving memory and are unable to independently make sound decisions.

DiagnosisDue to the complexity of the disorder, an extensive evaluation is required for a conclusive diagnosis of schizophrenia. As there are no direct tests for schizophrenia, doctors recommend other screening methods to eliminate the possibility of other mental disorders.

Complete Blood TestDoctors generally use a blood test to rule out other conditions as well as to screen for any drug of alcohol content in the blood. MRI and CT scans can also help to highlight any abnormality in the brain.

Psychological EvaluationBy evaluating the overall appearance and understanding the mindset of patients, psychiatrists are able to make an accurate deduction as to whether they are suffering from schizophrenia.

Treatment Options:As mentioned above, there is no permanent cure for schizophrenia, but doctors rely on medications and psychosocial treatments to help manage the symptoms. Scientists have also formulated health supplements that can effectively curb the adverse effects of this condition.

MedicationsAntipsychotic medications are normally prescribed to patients with schizophrenia. They can come in the form of pills or solution and can also be injected into the system. This form of treatment seeks to eliminate symptoms of schizophrenia such as hallucinations, delusions, and abnormal thought process.

Psychosocial TreatmentThis treatment method can only be implemented after the prescription of medications to help keep the disorder under control. Psychosocial treatments aim to help schizophrenia patients slowly adjust back to their normal way of life, giving them a purpose and goal to pursue.

Conclusion
Mental disorders are sensitive illnesses that require thorough evaluation before a suitable treatment method can be recommended. Even though it is not a terribly common mental condition, it does possess significant potential to cause harm to the patient. With effective treatment methods through medications or health supplements, symptoms of schizophrenia can be adequately curbed and help the patient to return to a normal lifestyle.

References
http://www.schizophrenia.com/famous.htm#
http://www.schizophrenia.com/szfacts.htm
https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/brain-health/
https://www.mentalhelp.net/articles/schizophrenia-symptoms-patterns-and-...
https://www.glozine.com/lifestyle/health
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/index.shtml
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia#Causes
https://books.google.co.th/books?id=iJtzm1KfU5oC&pg=PT282&redir_esc=y#v=...
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/basics/tests...
http://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/guide/schizophrenia-tests
http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/treatmentswellbeing/antipsychoticm...
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml

Author's Bio: 

Evlin Symon is an experienced health writer. She specializes in health, fitness, weight loss and beauty. When she is not writing she can be usually found reading a good book.