Schizophrenia

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Schizophrenia (skiz-oh-FRE-nee-ah) is a serious mental condition that affects how your brain works. This illness may change how you think, feel and behave. You may not be able to know what is real and what is not real. Your thoughts may not be clear, or jump from one subject to another. These symptoms may go away for some time only to come back again later.

Caregivers do not exactly know what causes schizophrenia. Having another family member with schizophrenia, stress, and use of harmful substances, such as amphetamines, may put you at a higher risk of getting this disease. Certain signs and symptoms must be true for a person to be diagnosed with schizophrenia. These include seeing or hearing things that are not real, and relationship problems with other people. There is no cure for schizophrenia but symptoms may be treated with medicines and other therapies.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia may get worse if you are not treated. Your illness may make it hard to work or get along with others. It may also change the way you eat and sleep. Changes in sleep and eating may make you suffer other illnesses and diseases. Schizophrenia may also cause damage to your brain.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

Tests: You may have any of these tests:

• Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
  
  
• CT scan:
  
  
  • This is also called a CAT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your brain. It may be used to look at bones, muscles, brain tissue, and blood vessels.
    
    
  • You may be given dye before the pictures are taken. The dye is usually given in your IV. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell the caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish, or have other allergies or medical conditions.
  
  
• EEG: This test is also called an electroencephalogram. Many small pads or metal discs are put on your head. Each has a wire that is hooked to a machine. This machine prints a paper tracing of brain wave activity from different parts of your brain. Caregivers look at the tracing to see how your brain is working.
  
  
• MRI: This test is called magnetic resonance imaging. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your head. An MRI may be used to look at the brain, muscles, joints, bones, or blood vessels. You will need to lay still during a MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. This can cause serious injury. Tell your caregiver if you have any metal implants in your body.

Medicines:

• Anti-anxiety medicine: This medicine may be given to help you feel less nervous and more relaxed.
  
  
• Anti-depressants: These medicines help with symptoms of depression.
  
  
• Anti-parkinson's: These medicines help control muscle stiffness, twitches and restlessness caused by anti-psychotic medicines.
  
  
• Anti-psychotics: These medicines decrease positive (psychotic) symptoms or severe agitation.
  
  
• Mood stabilizer: These medicines help control mood swings (being very happy one moment then very angry the next).
  
  
• Tranquilizers: These medicines are calming and relaxing.

Other treatment options: You may also need any of the following treatments:

• Electroconvulsive therapy: This is also called ECT. Caregivers use a small amount of electricity to the brain. This treatment is used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia.
  
  
• Psychosocial therapy:
  
  
  • Assertive community treatment: This treatment is also called ACT. A team of caregivers and support groups in your own community help you with your therapy.
    
    
  • Cognitive behavior therapy: This therapy helps you to change your behavior. It will help you handle symptoms like hallucinations and delusions.
    
    
  • Family psychoeducation: Your family will be part of your therapy.
    
    
  • Social skills training: This trains you how to get along with other people.
    
    
  • Supported employment: This is a form of therapy where you are placed into a job that fits you. It will help give you independence and self-confidence.
    
    
  • Teaching illness-management skills: This type of therapy teaches you what you can do to help manage your disease.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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