Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a severe, lifelong
brain disorder. People who have it may hear voices, see things that
aren't there or believe that others are reading or controlling
their minds. In men, symptoms usually start in the late teens and
early 20s. They include hallucinations, or seeing things, and
delusions such as hearing voices. For women, they start in the
mid-20s to early 30s. Other symptoms include:
- Unusual thoughts or perceptions
- Disorders of movement
- Difficulty speaking and expressing emotion
- Problems with attention, memory and organization
No one is sure what causes schizophrenia, but your genetic makeup and brain
chemistry probably play a role. Medicines can relieve many of the
symptoms, but it can take several tries before you find the right
drug. You can reduce relapses by staying on your medicine for as
long as your doctor recommends. With treatment, many people improve
enough to lead satisfying lives.
NIH: National Institute of Mental Health
Help is Just a Phone Call Away
|
We cannot offer diagnosis, counseling or
recommendations online, but an Assessment and Referral specialist
is available 24 hours/7 days a week at 904.296.3533. If you
are currently experiencing an emergency, please dial 911 or go to
the nearest emergency room.
If you prefer to contact us via email, please click here to fill out a
request information form.
|
|
|
|
