Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain. The condition makes it hard for an individual to determine what is real and what is not.

A lot of the patients have "make believe" people or objects that talk to them or even tell them to do things that they normally wouldn't do. They may have  flatline-like emotions which means that you could be talking to them, and they would have a straight face as though they're off in their own little world somewhere or they're not paying attention to you.

They may not be overwhelmed or emotional in stressful situations as someone not affected by the condition would be.  

Among the causes of  this disease are hereditary factors and traumatic events--either past or recent.

First symptoms are irritability or tense tenseness, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating. As it progresses, the patient experiences bizarre behaviour, including hallucinations, isolation, delusions, loose associations, anger, anxiety, childlike behaviour, or the flatlined I previously mentioned.

Sadly, there is no medical testing to diagnose schizophrenia.. But based upon interviews with the patient and his family members, doctors can make a diagnosis.

To treat this disease, the best kind of medication is antipsychotic medications. They help balance chemicals in the  brain and help tone down the symptoms.

There are side affects to the medication, as with all medication though,  sleepiness, jitters, etc. There is no way to prevent this disease from happening and sometimes it progresses to the point where institutionalization is recommended.