Schizophrenia is a complex and long-term medical illness. It is considered a serious mental illness that interferes with a person’s ability to manage emotions, make decisions, think clearly, and relate to others (National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), 2017). However, it is important to note that it is possible to live a meaningful life with Schizophrenia. Symptoms of Schizophrenia include positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms, also known as psychotic behaviors, include delusions, auditory and visual hallucinations, disorganized speech, grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior. Negative symptoms, also known as disruptions to normal emotions and behaviors, include decreased emotional expression, reduced range of interest
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While there is no physical or lab test that can diagnose Schizophrenia a health care provider can provide a diagnosis by evaluating the symptoms and the course of a person’s illness over a six-month period (CITE). To accurately diagnose Schizophrenia, specific diagnostic criteria must be met. Health care providers use the current standard for mental health diagnoses, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM5,) to assist them in their diagnostic assessments. To determine a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, a health care provider must follow the DSM 5 and define the time of onset, length, and characteristic of symptoms (CITE). Active symptoms must be present at least 6 months to be diagnosed (CITE). There must be positive and negative symptoms present and they must significantly impair functioning (CITE). After being diagnosed by a health care provider, a person with Schizophrenia can begin seeking …show more content…
It is theorized that issues with brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to this illness (CITE). In addition, it is also believed that networks of neurons are likely involved (CITE). Since people with Schizophrenia can often experience delusional thoughts or behaviors, brain chemistry could be the contributing factor to this. The environment is another factor that is believed to play a role in the onset of Schizophrenia. An increased risk for Schizophrenia is linked to the exposure to viruses or malnutrition before birth, particularly in the first and second trimesters (CITE). Studies have also shown that stressful incidents often precede the onset of Schizophrenia (CITE). It is evident that environmental stressors play a role in the development of
While there is no physical or lab test that can diagnose Schizophrenia a health care provider can provide a diagnosis by evaluating the symptoms and the course of a person’s illness over a six-month period (CITE). To accurately diagnose Schizophrenia, specific diagnostic criteria must be met. Health care providers use the current standard for mental health diagnoses, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM5,) to assist them in their diagnostic assessments. To determine a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, a health care provider must follow the DSM 5 and define the time of onset, length, and characteristic of symptoms (CITE). Active symptoms must be present at least 6 months to be diagnosed (CITE). There must be positive and negative symptoms present and they must significantly impair functioning (CITE). After being diagnosed by a health care provider, a person with Schizophrenia can begin seeking …show more content…
It is theorized that issues with brain chemicals, including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to this illness (CITE). In addition, it is also believed that networks of neurons are likely involved (CITE). Since people with Schizophrenia can often experience delusional thoughts or behaviors, brain chemistry could be the contributing factor to this. The environment is another factor that is believed to play a role in the onset of Schizophrenia. An increased risk for Schizophrenia is linked to the exposure to viruses or malnutrition before birth, particularly in the first and second trimesters (CITE). Studies have also shown that stressful incidents often precede the onset of Schizophrenia (CITE). It is evident that environmental stressors play a role in the development of