SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can make someone seem like they have lost touch with reality. However, it's important to understand that schizophrenia is not something a person can control. It's a medical condition a chronic brain disorder, just like diabetes or heart disease, and requires treatment with appropriate medicines and care.

According to the National Mental Health Survey of India 2015- 16, the lifetime prevalence of Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders is 1.4%.

Common Symptoms of Schizophrenia:

1. Hallucinations: This is when someone, in clear conscious and awake state sees, hears, or feels things which aren’t there. The most common type of hallucination in schizophrenia is hearing voices.

2. Delusions:  it is one of the most common symptoms of schizophrenia. It is a fixed, firm and false belief. For example, they might believe that others are trying to harm them or that they have special powers.

3. Disorganized Thinking: This can make it difficult for someone to speak clearly or organize their thoughts. They may have trouble carrying on a conversation or may seem to jump from one topic to another without making sense.

4. Negative Symptoms: These refer to things a person might stop doing, such as losing interest in daily activities, withdrawing from family and friends, or showing little emotion.

5. Abnormal Motor Behavior:
This involves unusual or inappropriate behavior. It may manifest as:

Catatonia: A state where the person may become immobile, mute, or show a lack of response to external stimuli.

Bizarre behavior: Acting in ways that are completely out of character or socially inappropriate, such as laughing at inappropriate times or performing odd movements.

6. Cognitive Impairment: This can include memory difficulties and reduced attention span. Cognitive symptoms can affect decision-making and problem-solving abilities.

7. Impaired Reality Testing: People with psychosis are unable to distinguish between what is real and what is not.