Schizophrenia is an illness that can affect your ability to think clearly, manage your emotions and interact with others. Most people who have schizophrenia hear and sometimes see things that aren’t there (hallucinations). They often believe certain things that aren’t true (delusions). They may think that others are trying to harm them.
Symptoms of schizophrenia include losing interest in or not caring about things and not taking care of yourself, like not bathing or eating regularly. Other symptoms include hearing voices or having confusing thoughts. Memory loss or having trouble talking are symptoms that can affect how you think. Symptoms may appear suddenly or develop slowly.
Experts don’t know what causes schizophrenia. It may have different causes for different people. Some causes may be related to the following:
Genetics – Your chances of getting schizophrenia are greater if your parent, brother or sister has it. But most people who have a family member with schizophrenia don’t get it.
Brain chemistry and structure – Neurotransmitters send messages between parts of the brain. They may not work the right way in people who have schizophrenia.
Problems during pregnancy – Schizophrenia may be related to problems during the mother’s pregnancy that can harm a baby’s developing brain and nervous system. These problems include poor nutrition and viral infections during pregnancy.
Schizophrenia isn’t caused by anything you did, by personal weakness or bad choices, or by the way your parents raised you.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your health and about any symptoms you may have had, such as hearing voices or having confusing thoughts. You will also have a physical exam.
Your doctor may also suggest tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms or to diagnose other schizophrenia disorders. These tests may include blood tests, a CT scan or an MRI. The CT scan or MRI will check the size, structure and function of your brain.
Medicines can help treat your symptoms. Counseling and therapy can help you change how you think about things and deal with the illness. Recovery usually is a lifelong process. In the recovery process, you learn to cope with your symptoms and challenges, find and meet your goals, and get the support you need.
If you are unable to manage your schizophrenia symptoms on your own, consider seeking professional help.
Call the Behavioral Health HelpLine at 260-471-9440 or 800-284-8439 anytime 24 hours a day. Our assessment specialists are available to guide you to the appropriate level of care or resources to support you.