A Comprehensive Review of Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

Schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and impaired social functioning. It is a severe chronic disease that individuals worldwide which causes significant in daily functioning and quality of life (McGuinness, et al, 2022). This research provides a comprehensive review on schizophrenia which includes its prevalence, etiology, symptomatology, assessment and treatment approaches. it is crucial for clinicians, researchers and individuals affected by this disorder to come up with effective interventions and promote improved outcomes.

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Prevalence and Epidemiology

Schizophrenia disorder affects an approximate of 1% globally which makes it the most prevalence psychiatric disorder. The disorder is commonly diagnosed in late adolescence or early adulthood although any age group can be affected. Young people are more likely to have delusions about t life and also the common users of drugs which might result to hallucinations (Fischer & Buchanan, 2020). This interferes with their thinking ability and can cause permanent damage on their brains and hence they lose it completely. According to research male predominate in earlier onset cases and no significant gender differences in later onset cases. This disorder is associated with disability and reduced life expectancy and hence requires early intervention and detection to prevent occurrence of such cases.

Etiology and Risk Factors

Schizophrenia etiology is multifactorial involving genetic, neurobiological and environmental influences. Family and twin studies states that schizophrenia can be genetically passed from one generation to another and it is estimated from 60% to 80% chances. Abnormalities in brain structure and function which particularly involves prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and subcortical regions are the major causes of schizophrenia according to neuroimaging studies. When the brain has a little damage or disorder it is more likely to increase the chances of developing schizophrenia disorder which puts one at a very high risk of permanent brain damage (Fišar, 2023). there are also environmental factors associated with the disorder which includes exposure to infections and childhood trauma may also be the cause to the development schizophrenia disorder symptoms. The disorder is known for imagining things and trying to act like they exist. This gives a perspective that they are living the life they are thinking and instead they have a very different life and this increases crisis in their lives.

Clinical presentation and diagnostic criteria

Some of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations and delusions and negative symptoms include avolition and anhedonia that includes disorganized thinking and impaired social function. It is difficult for a person suffering from this disorder to have a normal interaction with the people and makes them have peace while alone (Kane, et al 2019). They live in an imaginary world that they assume is their normal life routine. The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM-5), outlines the specific criteria that should be used in diagnosing schizophrenia which includes looking out for characteristic symptoms for a specific period of time like one month period and six months social and occupational functioning. This will reduce the cases of misdiagnosis and allows health practitioner to assess the behaviour of a patient.

Assessment and Diagnosis

The assessment of this disorder involves comprehensive clinical evaluation which includes detailed history, mental status examination and standardized rating scales such as positive and negative syndrome scale. Medical practitioners must differentiate schizophrenia from other mental disorders particularly moods with psychotic disorders and substance-induced mental disorders (De Filippis, et al, 2019). This is why the diagnosis has to be carried out for a time to ensure correct diagnoses are made. A thorough assessment plays a critical role to provide accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. The right type of disorders is treated and allows the patient to have the correct prescription.

Treatment approaches

There different evidence-based schizophrenia treatments which includes antipsychotic medication, psychosocial interventions and supportive services.  Antipsychotic medications are considered as the first-line pharmacological agents with both typical and atypical antipsychotic demonstrating efficiency in reducing positive symptoms (De Filippis, et al, 2019). Cogitative behavioural therapy, family therapy and supported employment programmes are highly recommended to address psychosocial interventions. Treatment plans should be comprehensive which involves support services such as housing assistance and vocational rehabilitation to promote recovery and community integration.

Conclusion

in conclusion, schizophrenia is a complex psychiatric disorder that is characterized by symptoms that significantly affect individual’s life. it is a disorder that requires clinicians to be very patient when carrying out diagnosis since the disorder can easily be misunderstood to substance-use disorder. Medical practitioners have to be keen and ensure they do not miss any crucial details that can lead to misdiagnosis. This will allow proper treatment and hence reducing errors in patient care. By integrating research and findings, clinicians can be able to enhance their understanding on schizophrenia. With the help of this understanding, clinicians can develop a tailored intervention to improve outcomes for individuals affected by the condition. Also further studies should be carried out to come up with more solution for long-term goal achievement. This gives a patient basis and hope of getting better and going back to their daily social interaction. This type of disorder may be undermined but it can cause more harm to individuals.

References

De Filippis, R., Carbone, E. A., Gaetano, R., Bruni, A., Pugliese, V., Segura-Garcia, C., & De Fazio, P. (2019). Machine learning techniques in a structural and functional MRI diagnostic approach in schizophrenia: a systematic review. Neuropsychiatric disease and treatment, 1605-1627.

Fišar, Z. (2023). Biological hypotheses, risk factors, and biomarkers of schizophrenia. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 120, 110626.

Fischer, B. A., & Buchanan, R. W. (2020). Schizophrenia in adults: Epidemiology and pathogenesis. Waltham, MA: Wolters Kluwer.

Kane, J. M., Agid, O., Baldwin, M. L., Howes, O., Lindenmayer, J. P., Marder, S., … & Correll, C. U. (2019). Clinical guidance on the identification and management of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 80(2), 2783.

McGuinness, A. J., Davis, J. A., Dawson, S. L., Loughman, A., Collier, F., O’hely, M., … & Jacka, F. N. (2022). A systematic review of gut microbiota composition in observational studies of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Molecular psychiatry, 27(4), 1920-1935.