Schizophrenia. Symptoms and signs in men, women, the elderly, teenagers. Forms, treatment of folk remedies, medications, communication

Serious illness of schizophrenia largely affects a person's behavior. It is important to recognize the symptoms and signs of the disorder in order to avoid the development of severe forms of the disease and to help the person return to a healthy life.

What is schizophrenia

Schizophrenia symptoms and signs which are characterized by violation of perception, thinking and emotional reactions, psychosis refers to the species. This is due to pathological processes in the body, caused no external influences and internal factors.

The disease is accompanied by the appearance of symptoms without the influence of any external stimuli, that is the main difference from other mental disorders.

Schizophrenia - a specific, very special disorder of thinking and perception, in which the patient is maintained level intelligence and the ability to memorize information, but his perception of the world is distorted due to the disruption of the cortex brain. The term "schizophrenia" a true reflection of the essence of mental disorders, as it literally means "splitting of consciousness."

This is due to unrelated functional applications of consciousness in the process of processing of the information that forms the person a false picture of the world. Schizophrenia often occurs along with such mental disorders as depression and anxiety disorders.

Patients suffering from the disorder, are often in a state of dependence on psychoactive substances, which increases the likelihood of worsening the condition and appearance of suicidal tendencies. The process of treating schizophrenia carried out by experts in the field of psychiatry.

At what age is manifested schizophrenia

The first manifestations of the disease can be observed in adolescence, when the symptoms of schizophrenia are just beginning to emerge.

They can be expressed as:

• increased antisocial;
• passivity;
• irritability;
• aggressiveness.

The age when most clearly progressing mental disorder in both men and women are different. Males tend to develop schizophrenia earlier (20 years), and women can feel the active manifestation of rejection only to the age of 30 and later.

Classification and features of the disease

Schizophrenia symptoms and signs that can be expressed for each patient in different ways, can be manifested in 5 ways:

schizophrenia View	Features of the disease
paranoiac	The patient has hallucinations and delusional thoughts. They manifest themselves in the form of violations of logical connections in the flow of the patient's thoughts, focusing on the patient's non-existent things
catatonic	The disease manifests itself in violation of the motor function of the patient when he can suddenly: show aggression towards others; take strange postures; enter into a state of stupor; to lose the power of speech. This type of schizophrenia causes tension, as listed violations occur in a patient spontaneously and unpredictably
hebephrenic	The disease begins to manifest itself in about 20 years and is accompanied by: inappropriate childishness with affectation; inappropriately elevated mood; mannerism; periodic hallucinations; obsessions, delusions; frequent changes of mood; increased violent and impulsive aggressive action. With symptoms worsen over time, the behavior of the patients becomes meaningless and purposeless because of the loss of goals and any drives
Residual (remaining)	Residual kind of disease refers to a chronic type of schizophrenia is characterized not pronounced symptoms of psychosis. Residual schizophrenia is characterized by weak emotional reactions, social isolation, and includes such symptoms: fatigue; passivity; vulnerability; feelings of insecurity; unclear and illogical thinking; tendency to vagrancy, compulsive hoarding

schizophrenia stage

Schizophrenia, as well as many serious diseases, takes place in several stages. Symptoms and signs at certain stages of different severity and duration, so the stage of the disorder can be divided into the stages of acquisition, adaptation and degradation.

The list of stages:

• Mastering characterized by mild symptoms. Stage of schizophrenia is characterized by a sense of "enlightenment", "awareness" of his omnipotence (nothingness), "understanding" of the true meaning of life. The world is changing for the patient, the distortion reflected in the mind and makes you feel anxiety, fear, confusion. There are cases where patients after mastering stage recover and return to the previous life, but most of schizophrenia flows into the next adaptation step.
• The second stage addiction is characterized by a patient to a new vision of the world. Main symptoms (hallucinations, delusions) are normal for a man, the world of illusion and reality exist in the mind of the patient at the same time. the patient's condition is different "double orientation", which means the dual vision of a man of the world: the patient can perceive his friend as a good friend and comrade, but also see it as an evil extraterrestrial being. Step adaptation differs repetitive movements of the patient, e.g., walking in circles around the room or rocking on one place.
• The third stage It characterized by emotional burnout. Degradation of the patient is different, first emotional deviations, and then intelligent. When gebefrenicheskoy form of schizophrenia, this step is actively growing, and when catatonic and paranoid forms patients can long enough to be emotionally and intellectually stable. In any case, degradation stage is very unfavorable, but with adequate treatment, patients may be rehabilitated and feel relatively comfortable society.

diagnosis of schizophrenia

Psychiatrists from Russia and Europe in the diagnosis of the disease developed using the criteria set out in the International Classification of Diseases revision 10 (ICD-10). In accordance with the above classification criteria for the accurate diagnosis of the disease must be 2 the severity of symptoms, which manifest themselves for the past month.

To these symptoms include:

• It echoes the thinking when the patient believes that others can control his thoughts: read them, erase or replace on your own.
• Delirium related to motor reactions, actions, thoughts and feelings, distorted perception of reality.
• Auditory hallucinations, which may cause the patient to perform certain actions, to comment on the behavior of the patient, to discuss something with him.
• Obsessive irrational ideas delusional nature that do not have an adequate explanation.
• Unstable processes of thinking and processing information that leads to an inability to properly structured and express their thoughts.
• The appearance of symptoms of catatonic type of schizophrenia associated with impulsive action, excitement and involuntary motor responses.
• Social isolation due to symptoms such as apathy and inappropriate emotional responses. These symptoms thus should not be the result of other mental disorders or taking drugs.
• Noticeable change patient's behavior that progressively becomes apathetic and different loss goals and interests, inactivity, dive into the inner world of the patient, social exclusion.

If the mental state of the patient corresponds to the following symptoms at least a month, then it is classified as acute schizophrenia-like psychotic disorder and is diagnosed as schizophrenia only after a month displays symptoms.

The causes of schizophrenia in men

Schizophrenia symptoms and signs that appear similarly in men and women, occurs in both sexes at different ages. For men, the occurrence of schizophrenia characterized by early, when women are more prone to late manifestations of signs of the disorder.

The causes of schizophrenia in men:

• innate characters. If the patient is someone in the family (not necessarily the closest relative), who suffered from schizophrenia, the risk developmental disorders in a patient is significantly higher than that of a person without a hereditary predisposition to disease.
• Brain Injury, The occurrence of tumors and various changes in the structure of the body can cause the development of schizophrenia.
  
• Permanent residence in stressful situationsAnd prolonged emotional turmoil provoke the development of the disorder.
• Adverse conditions in the familyWhose influence contributed to the development of the boy's disease at an early age.

Symptoms of schizophrenia in men

Early symptoms of schizophrenia occur in men starting from 15 years. At this time, inappropriate behavior of a teenager is not perceived by others seriously, but the disease progresses over time.

Then clearly you will notice the following symptoms:

• Abrupt changes in the mood of the patient.
• Sudden loss of interest in hobbies.
• The lack of emotional expressions.
• Isolation, problems in dealing with people.

In 20-30 years there have been serious mental changes in the minds of schizophrenics men.

At this stage of the disease is characterized by:

• decrease emotionality. In this case, the patient overcome philosophical reflections and obsessions that seem to him brilliant, but in reality do not have a rational explanation.
• A change in the patient's mind. The man eventually loses interest in their activities, do not use the existing experience and ceases to engage in simple things.
• The occurrence of phobias and fears. Against the background of the development of a schizophrenia patient is prone to the emergence of fears of persecution and death, paranoid thoughts, hypochondria. In the form of protective reactions of phobias the patient be protected from society and the world, withdraws into himself and is afraid of human contact.
• The emergence of ambivalence toward the world. The patient is experiencing conflicting feelings to the same things at the same time not knowing how to react to them. The internal contradictions of form unpredictable and inadequate behavior of men.
• Loss of concentration. The patient can not concentrate on certain things for a long time, so his speech is snapped, losing logic and any associative relation.
• hallucinatory inclusions. The man with the appearance of these symptoms begins to see non-existent images, suffers from hearing noise and increased palpably tactile (false sense of touch to the body).

These symptoms characterize the most acute form of schizophrenia in men, which often It takes the form of catatonic disorder where the patient's consciousness is retained, but the observed motor violations.

In middle-aged men are more prone to the emergence of paranoid schizophrenia, which is characterized by:

• obsessions;
• delirium;
• paranoia;
• the emergence of painful dependencies;
• increased aggressiveness towards others.

The causes of schizophrenia in women

Experts have not identified the exact cause of schizophrenia in women, but as a result of many studies have highlighted several theories of development disorders in females.

They are as follows:

• Heredity. Many experts adhere to the theory of heredity, when the disease is genetically transmitted through the female line. In this case, men also can suffer from schizophrenia, which is passed from mother to them. From his father upset children can not be transmitted.
• Cerebral metabolic disturbance pulses. In this case, it depends on the development of schizophrenia stable transmission of nerve impulses in the brain, which is dependent on the balance between biologically active chemicals.
• stresses. Frequent stressful situations provoke pathological changes in the brain tissue that contribute to the development of schizophrenia. There are studies that have established frequent signs of the disorder in the postpartum period in women.
• The consequences of viral diseases. The theory is based on the action of inflammatory processes affecting the human brain that appear on the background of exposure to infectious pathogens. In this case, there is the destruction of brain tissue that contributes to the development of schizophrenia.
• The consequences of the restructuring of the female organism due to hormonal changes. In this case, the activity of hormones associated with puberty or pregnancy can trigger the development of the disorder.

manifestation of schizophrenia in women

The first symptoms of schizophrenia in women usually begin to appear in the 25 - years of age. The disorder occurs in patients in stages.

The first symptoms at an early stage of schizophrenia are:

• The emergence of ideas obsessive nature.
• The emergence of fears and phobias.
• Irrational behavior.
• Dive into its internal state.
• Increased anxiety.
• The emergence of hypochondria.

In the midst of the disease in women is observed worsening of symptoms and the appearance of new symptoms of schizophrenia:

• Increased irritability and aggressiveness.
• Depersonalization - a disorder of self-perception, when a person perceives their own actions on the part, it feels the inability to control their actions.
• The emergence of schizophrenic delusions. This symptom is characterized by delusional thoughts, inner voices, obsessions. Woman's behavior is perceived by others as inadequate, the patient does not notice the delusional and irrational nature of their thoughts.
• Hypochondria. Deviation at this stage is actively developing, the woman finds a deadly disease in yourself, friends and relatives.
• Tendency to substance use, suicidal thoughts.

The causes of the disorder in adolescents

Schizophrenia in adolescents is dangerous because its symptoms can be confused with teenage crisis, accompanied by similar symptoms. The disease in this case develops and becomes visible to others only after several years, when the disease has moved in heavy stage.

Long-term studies by experts adolescents with schizophrenia, helped identify several theories of the causes of the disease at an early age.

They are as follows:

• Genetics. If one of the parents of a teenager suffering from the disorder, then there is a 10% probability that the disease will manifest itself in the child. Genetically transmitted is not the disease itself, and predisposition to its occurrence, which can be realized, depending on many external factors.
• Unfavorable atmosphere in the family. If children grow up in a family of alcoholics, drug addicts or just toxic parents who are not interested in education, the risk of schizophrenia in these children is greatly increased. This is due to trauma, lack of love and care, a sense of insecurity, which together form prevents the child mentally healthy person.
• Injury, emotional turmoil. Such events in the child's life may include the death of a loved one, a scene of humiliation, aggression, shame, moments of physical violence, accidents and others.
• Alcohol consumption, drug addiction. During adolescence, children become dependent on the opinions of others, lend themselves to peer pressure. In an unfavorable environment of the child can form substance dependence, which increases the risk of schizophrenia.
  
• Violations, which were formed during fetal development or at birth. Deviations may occur as a result of illnesses suffered by the mother during pregnancy, which had a negative impact on the brain of the child's brain development. As violations can trigger the use of the mother drugs, which are forbidden to take during pregnancy.

Features of symptoms in adolescents

Help identify schizophrenia in adolescents may be a manifestation of certain symptoms that are worth paying attention to in cases of suspected occurrence of disease.

They are as follows:

• Noticeable abrupt changes of character teenager. Sick all of a sudden becomes aggressive, lose interest in hobbies.
• social isolation. The teenager withdraws into himself, stops in contact with friends, having problems in dealing with people.
• loss of interest. The teenager may lose interest in everything than he was interested before, and start over and fanatically explore unusual things for themselves (horoscopes, unscientific theory), to engage in gathering and hoarding.
• mood variability. For a long time in teenager saved a good mood or depression. Sometimes it happens harsh emotional surges, often do not have a rational reason.

senile schizophrenia

Schizophrenia in the elderly quite dangerous due to the presence of somatic patients and chronic diseases.

Senile schizophrenia represents:

• disorders of perception of the surrounding world;
• violation of logical connections in the speech;
• irrational behavior;
• hallucinations;
• obsession with delusions.

The causes of senile schizophrenia:

• Age-related changes in the brain.
• Neurochemical changes in the body of an old man.
• Isolation from society.
• Reduced efficiency of the sense organs.
• Substance abuse.
• Mental impairment, psychosis caused by drug use.
• Delusional and affective disorders, arising from Alzheimer's disease.
  
• Cognitive disorders with movement disorders.

Symptoms of different types of schizophrenia in the elderly

disease for the elderly depends on many factors, but there is a classification of types of schizophrenia, which appear later in life and are characterized by symptoms and features of manifestation.

They are as follows:

• Episodic-progressive schizophrenia. Otherwise, the disease is called shift-like schizophrenia, which may appear in 50-70 years and is characterized by sudden clinical manifestations. Symptoms of shift-like schizophrenia include hallucinations, paranoid disorder, affective episodes.
• Recurrent schizophrenia manifested paroxysmal. The disease is characterized by manic and depressive disorder, and symptoms include hallucinations, delusions of persecution, obsession, speech integrity.
• Paranoid schizophrenia is characterized by a predominance of delusions and hallucinations. This type of schizophrenia is characterized by the presence of delusions, a sense of special mission, and suicidal.

Traditional recipes for schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, Symptoms and signs of remission periods in which substantially weaken, may be partially cured through the use of medicinal herbs. There are traditional recipes that help the body cope with the disorder and reduce the possibility of recurrence.

Recipe from hallucinations, ingredients:

• medicinal comfrey - 1 hour. l .;
  
• water - 1 liter.

Preparation and use:

1. Drug comfrey pour 1 liter of water.
2. Bring the mixture to reflux, to boil for 10 minutes. over low heat.
3. Writing infuse solution for about an hour to filter.
4. Drink broth necessary for the day treatment course lasts about 10 days.

Soothing oil, ingredients:

• blooming reseda - 200 g;
• vegetable (sunflower) oil - 0.5 liter.

Preparation and use:

1. Pour oil blooming mignonette.
2. Allow the solution to infuse for 2 weeks in a dark container in a cool place.
3. Periodically stir the liquid.
4. The resulting solution should be rubbed into the whiskey 2 times per day.

A means to facilitate the attacks of illness, ingredients:

• herb foxglove - 1 hour. l .;
• water - 300 ml.

Preparation and use:

1. Bring water to boiling temperature, pour it into the vacuum flask.
2. In the water put the grass, give the means to infuse for 12 hours.
3. Accept means 4 times a day with 50 ml.

Preparations for the treatment of schizophrenia

Drugs taken by patients to treat schizophrenia, are appointed solely by the attending physician of the patient. Dosages of drugs are also calculated individually specialist depending on the characteristics of the disease.

List of most known drugs prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia:

• phenazepam. The drug is given in the early stages of the disease and helps relieve symptoms such as anxiety, tension and depression.
• quetiapine. The medicine is taken at an early stage of the disease at relapse and exacerbations. It helps induce durable remission with regular proper application. The drug eliminates anxiety and calms.
  
• rispolept. The drug is only indicated for schizophrenia, acute forms of active and inhibits the development of disease symptoms, eliminate the hallucinations, delusions, increased aggression and depression.
• tsiklodol. The medicine is taken to eliminate the patient's motor disorders, which often occur during exacerbations of schizophrenia. Tsiklodol prescribe muscle stiffness, tremor, and various spasms.
• Noopept. The drug belongs to neuroprotective agents and taken to improve the metabolic processes of the brain of the patient.
• Clozapine, Amisulpride, risperidone, promazine. These drugs are neuroleptics and directly affect the processes that cause schizophrenia. Medication usually taken during prolonged acute stage of the disease.
• Deanol Atseglumat, Pantogam. Preparations are neuroprotective agents that restore attention, memory and ability to concentrate.
• Fluoxetine, Zoloft, Prozac. Medications include antidepressants and often appointed in the periods between relapses of the disease. Medications are needed to improve mood, eliminate sleep problems, and a general improvement of the psychological state of the patient.

Communication in schizophrenia

The behavior of people with schizophrenia is often irrational and unpredictable. In this case, patients need the support of loved ones, which in turn must know the characteristics of communication with people suffering from this disorder.

There are some recommendations that will help to establish contact with people with schizophrenia:

• It is necessary to know the features of the manifestation of schizophrenia, its symptoms and possible stage. Knowledge of the disease will be treated with understanding to the sick person.
• Successful relationship with the patient depends on the level of empathy and understanding of the situation is seriously ill. It is important to try to imagine yourself in his shoes that will be more tolerant to the specific manifestations of schizophrenia.
  
• During an exacerbation of the disease the patient can see hallucinations and to hear voices. Talking in this case, with the patient, slowly and quietly, so as not to cause nervousness and anxiety in patients suffering from the disorder.
• Quite often, patients with schizophrenia suffer delusions. In this case, patients can talk baseless things and to convince others of the correctness. In this case, talking is not recommended to try to convince the patient and to argue with him, because it can cause attacks of aggression.
• Schizophrenia often want to stop taking drugs. In this case the person is important to support the patient and persuade him not to stop the treatment, because it can cause complications and worsening of the disorder.

Any kind of schizophrenia - a serious mental disorder, the symptoms and signs that can completely change the consciousness and behavior of the patient. Delays in access to a doctor and the abandonment of drug treatment can lead to severe forms of the disease and reduce the chance of a full recovery.

Author of the article: Anna Fleyman

Registration of the article: Lozinski Oleg

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