“The average age of onset is 18 in men and 25 in women. Schizophrenia onset is quite rare for people under 10 years of age, or over 40 years of age. Younger the age of onset, worse the prognosis.
The Prevalence Rate for schizophrenia is approximately 1.1% of the population over the age of 18 it ranks among the top 10 causes of disability in developed countries worldwide. Around 10 millon people in India suffer from schizophrenia.
Illnesses like schizophrenia are characterized by hallucinations, which are sensory experiences of something that does not exist outside the mind, most commonly of the auditory variety (hearing voices others cannot hear) and delusions (beliefs or impressions maintained despite being contradicted by reality) and disorganized speech and or behavior.
This is usually manifested by suspiciousness, irritability, decreased productivity and a possible disruption in self care.
Negative symptoms such as apathy, decreased speech, decreased goal directed activity and decreased social interaction may also predominate.
An imbalance in dopamine levels ( one of the substances that mediates transmission of impulses between nerves) in certain areas of the brain is said to be responsible for these symptoms. The causes behind this dopamine imbalance are multifactorial and can be biological,enviromental and/or psychological.
Defects in synaptic pruning ( a process by which unwanted connections between neurons are broken) during adolesence and reductions in brain volumes have been seen in people with schizophrenia. Use of mind altering substances, especially marijauna put people at higher risk for schizophrenia.
Effective therapeutic stratergies, including medications that target the dopamine excess and severeral interventions aimed at improving quality of life,cognition and social interaction are gaining popularity.
The quality of life of people suffering from schizophrenia has improved over the last few decades. One of the factors that predicts a good prognosis is the early initiation of treatment.
A psychiatrist will diagnose schizophrenia based on WHO criteria and prescribe interventions including medication and appropriate cogntitive/behavioural interventions. Read about the treatment of schizphrenia here.
Psychiatry is a medical speciality, like surgery, general medicine and paediatrics. It involves the study, diagnosis and management of mental illnesses and distressing conditons, pertaining to both the mind and body. Misconceptions about psychiatric illness and treatment have some how prevented help seeking behaviour in those who need it the most. This Wall has to go, wherin visiting a psychiatrist should no longer be taboo, and people should be able to openly and freely discuss mental health issues. More here.
Dr Vikas Prabhav is a psychiatrist in anna nagar, chennai. He runs The Vivid Mind mental wellness clinic in Anna Nagar. At the vivid mind clinic we provide effective treatment for schizophrenia and other psychosis in Chennai. We offer both medical and psychological interventions effective in treating schizophrenia.
The information in this website is not a substitute for a medical consult.