Tuesday, July 21, 2009

What are the early signs that someone may be developing schizophrenia?

It's sometimes possible to pick up clues that "something isn't quite right" before a person develops a psychosis. Spotting symptoms early and getting them treated can improve the outlook for people with schizophrenia. This illness often appears first when young people are at important stages in their development - getting an education, starting work or exploring relationships. Early treatment may mean less disruption to these stages, so there's less risk of a young person becoming out-of-step with their peers. Some early signs may include changes in a person's behaviour, such as: withdrawing completely from family, friends and workmates (although it's normal for teenagers to withdraw from their families sometimes, it's unusual for them to withdraw from their friends); being afraid to leave the house, even in daylight; not sleeping well. Sleeping during the day and staying awake at night, sometimes pacing around; being very preoccupied with a particular theme, for example - death, religion or politics; neglecting appearance/personal hygiene, or neglecting parenting or housework; deteriorating performance at school or work; difficulty concentrating, following conversations or remembering things; talking or writing about things that don't make sense; being extremely anxious, panicky or depressed, or suicidal; believing that they have special powers or that they are important religious or political leaders, or scientists, when they're not; being emotionally "flat" or reacting inappropriately to things; fearing - without reason - that others are plotting against them, spying on them or following them; believing they're being harmed or influenced to do things against their will - by television, radio, aliens or the devil, for instance; believing their thoughts are being interfered with, or that they can influence other people's thoughts. Who's at risk of developing schizophrenia? When a relative has schizophrenia, other family members may worry that they or their children are also at risk. In fact, the odds are against developing schizophrenia, even when both parents have the illness. This risk also lessens as people get older - in most cases schizophrenia develops before the age of thirty. The chances of not developing schizophrenia: no relative with the illness - 99%; grandparent; niece or nephew; uncle or aunt - 97%;one parent; brother or sister - 90%; non-identical twin - 90%; identical twin - 70%; both parents - 60%. How is schizophrenia diagnosed? There's no simple test for schizophrenia. When someone has their first psychotic episode, the diagnosis involves observing their symptoms over a period of time, and ruling out other causes of psychosis such as drug use or physical disorders. A diagnosis of schizophrenia may be made if symptoms persist for over six months.Sometimes the symptoms make it very clear what the problem is - but not always. Although doctors will talk to the person experiencing the symptoms, input from their family or close friends may be helpful too. It can be useful to keep a record of any unusual behaviour - school reports, work records, comments by teachers, workmates or friends, for instance, and give them to the health professionals treating the person. This information on schizophrenia is from the Sane Australia Guide to Schizophrenia 2005, produced with a grant from Bristol Meyers Squibb Pharmaceuticals. The source is gratefully acknowledged - www.sane.org.

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