PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA

DISCLAIMER

This is a project for a high school AP Psychology

course. For any questions about this project or its

content please email the teacher, Laura Astorian:

laura.astorian@cobbk12.org

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS AB OUT SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia refers to multiple personalities• People with schizophrenia do not have split

personalities.

Schizophrenia is a rare condition• Schizophrenia is not rare; the lifetime risk of

developing schizophrenia is widely accepted to be around 1 in 100

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS AB OUT SCHIZOPHRENIA

People with schizophrenia are dangerous• Most people with schizophrenia are NOT a danger to

others

People with schizophrenia can’t be helped• There are actually many new treatments for people

with schizophrenia

T Y P E S O F S C H I Z O P H R E N I A

First of all, there are 5 recognized types of

schizophrenia:• Disorganized Schizophrenia• Paranoid Schizophrenia (which we will be

focusing on)• Residual Schizophrenia• Undifferentiated Schizophrenia• Catatonic Schizophrenia

WHAT EXACTLY IS PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA?

Paranoid schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder in

which one loses touch with reality

It affects the way a person acts, thinks, and

perceives the world

HOW CAN ONE GET THIS ILLNESS?

It can be due mainly to 3 reasons:

• The Environment• Abnormal Brain Structure• Genetics

THE ENVIRONMENT

Low oxygen levels during birth

Exposure to a virus during infancy

Early parental loss or separation

Physical or sexual abuse during one’s childhood

ABNORMAL BRAIN STRUCTURE

Enlarged ventricles have been found in scans of

the brains of schizophrenic, leading scientists to

draw correlations between the two

Furthermore, activity in the frontal lobe appears to

be slower than that of a healthy human

GENETICS

Generally, it is passed on genetically; however, one

could possibly develop it due to a traumatic event, or

with age

The odds of one developing schizophrenia when

neither of his or her parents have it is less than 1%

However, when both parents have schizophrenia,

the odds are greater than 35%

AT W H AT A G E D O E S O N E U S U A L LY B E G I N T O D E V E L O P PA R A N O I D S C H I Z O P H R E N I A ?

In nearly 75% of cases, schizophrenia develops in

individuals 16-25 years of age

In this age group, more cases are found in which

men have it

From age 25-30, more women have it

From 30 on, cases in which schizophrenia develops

are very rare

UNIVERSAL SYMPTOMS

Disorder• Disorganized Thoughts

Delusions• Of grandeur• Of persecution

Hallucinations

Disorganized speech and thoughts

UNIVERSAL SYMPTOMS

Anxiety

Anger

Violence

Argumentativeness

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose paranoid schizophrenia, psychologists look for:• The presence of at least 2 of the following symptoms for at

least 30 days:• Hallucinations• Delusions• Disorganized speech• Disorganized or catatonic behavior• Negative symptoms (emotional flatness, apathy, lack of speech)

• Significant problems functioning at work or school, relating to other people, and taking care of oneself.

• Continuous signs of schizophrenia for at least 6 months, with active symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, etc.) for at least 1 month.

DIAGNOSIS

Doctors generally use 3 methods for diagnosing

schizophrenia:• Perform psychiatric evaluations• Search through medical history and exams• Perform lab tests

EFFECTS

Many schizophrenics have relationship problems

There is also an increased risk of suicide

Alcohol and drug use is likely to increase, and in

many cases addiction seems to form

TREATMENTS

Various methods are used to treat schizophrenic

patients, such as:• Supportive counseling and therapy• Antipsychotics• Hospitalization

HOSPITALIZATION

This is usually what happens to a schizophrenic

patient before or during the time in which he or she

is given any real treatment

This method is very important for the initial safety

of the patient

ANTIPSYCHOTICS

Medication is used along with therapy much of the

time because it is very effective at controlling

symptoms and cognitive functioning of people with

schizophrenia

However, this process is not 100% effective for all

patients

THERAPY

Therapy is important to the patients because it

provides friendship, encouragement, and practical

advice

Family and friends are also extremely important in

the treatment process, so that the patient will have a

support network

WHAT IT ’S L IKE L IV ING WITH PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA

Having this disorder makes it difficult for me to be

a functioning member of society; however, when I

have taken the antipsychotics prescribed to me and

attend therapy, I find myself able to function much

more easily

WHAT IT ’S L IKE L IV ING WITH PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA

The hallucinations in combination with the

delusions make it hard to decipher between what is

real and what is fake. It is confusing and frustrating

at times, as you might imagine.

WHAT IT ’S L IKE TO EXPERIENCE A PSYCHOTIC EPISODE

If you are uncomfortable at any time during this

clip, you should alert a supervisor and exit the room

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oD4QxTjExs

SOURCES

http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/

schizintro.html

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/

schizophrenia_symptom.htm

http://www.drugs.com/schizophrenia.html