Schizophrenia

About one percent of American population suffers from schizophrenia. It is a chronic illness which affects the quality of life for the patient as well as the family. There are both genetic and environmental factors which can cause schizophrenia. It is like any other chronic illness such as diabetes or hypertension. If properly treated it is manageable.

Symptoms include:

• Hallucinations (such as hearing voices, seeing things or smelling things etc...)
• Delusions (false fixed beliefs which are not real but for the person it is real)
• Social withdrawal
• Poor interpersonal relations
• Poor hygiene
• Deterioration in occupational function (i.e. job or school)
• Disorganized speech
• Difficulty expressing emotions
• Suspiciousness
• Feeling of being controlled