A Visual Guide to Schizophrenia.
People with the condition may hear voices, see imaginary sights, or believe other people control their thoughts frighten the person and lead to erratic behavior.
Symptoms include:
Hallucinations: hearing or seeing imaginary things.
Delusions: strongly held false beliefs.
Catatonia: the person becomes physically fixed in a single position for a very long time.
They may have trouble organizing their thoughts or making logical connections. Sometimes they have “”thought withdrawal,”” or “”thought blocking,””
People may talk and not make sense, or they make up words. Many have trouble keeping themselves or their homes clean. Some repeat behaviors, such as pacing.
Anyone can get schizophrenia. It’s equally common among men and women and among ethnic groups. Symptoms usually start between ages 16 and 30, and rarely starts during childhood or after age 45.
Scientists don’t know the cause. A person’s genes, experiences, and setting may all be involved. Theories include how active and how well certain areas of the brain and chemicals work.
There are no lab tests to find schizophrenia so doctors usually base a diagnosis on a person’s history and symptoms. Prescription drugs can reduce symptoms such as abnormal thinking, hallucinations, and delusions.