Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a misunderstood and stigmatized illness. When someone is suffering from a psychotic episode as the result of their Schizophrenia, their normal thought processes are disrupted. This may give people the misperception that the person with Schizophrenia has multiple personalities, which is not the case.
There is also a misconception that people with Schizophrenia are violent, when in fact, they are much more likely to be the victim of a violent crime than the instigator. That’s why it’s so important for patients diagnosed with Schizophrenia to seek proper medical care and support.
Schizophrenia is a severe, chronic, complex brain disorder. It affects how someone thinks, feels and behaves. People with Schizophrenia experience episodes of psychosis. This means that they may hallucinate (see or hear things that aren’t there); have delusions (believe things that aren’t real); and struggle with disordered thoughts, feelings, and motivation.
Late diagnosis can contribute to a poor prognosis, with significant repercussions on someone’s education or career. It even increases mortality. Effective treatments exist, and yet, almost 69% of people with Schizophrenia are not receiving the appropriate care.
What are the symptoms of Schizophrenia?
While each person with schizophrenia may have different symptoms, generally, they can be grouped into four categories:
- Positive symptoms: these don’t occur in healthy people, but are the result of the disease, and represent a change in behaviour or thoughts. For example: hearing voices, incoherent speech.
- Negative symptoms: this means that certain qualities are diminished or missing in people with the disease. For example: losing interest and motivation in life and daily activities, not being able to make plans, feel emotion, express oneself, or initiate a conversation.
- Affective symptoms: these include depressed mood, anxiety, loss of sleep and appetite, even thoughts of death or suicide.
- Cognitive symptoms: these affect attention, concentration, and memory. For example: not recognizing people, or not being able to follow conversations, learn new things or remember appointments.
How common is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia affects more than 24 million people worldwide. People are usually first diagnosed with Schizophrenia between the ages of 16 and 30, after the first episode of psychosis.
Genetic factors can contribute to the risk of developing Schizophrenia, as can certain environmental factors, such as poverty, stressful surroundings, or having been exposed to viruses or nutritional problems before birth.
The impact of this disease on someone’s life is enormous. People with Schizophrenia are more likely to be homeless, are two to three times more likely to die early --often because they do not seek medical help for preventable and treatable physical diseases and infections-- and are nine times more likely to commit suicide.
Treatment and Care
It is still not clear what causes Schizophrenia, but we know that the symptoms are treatable with medicine and psychosocial support, ideally a combination. The earlier someone is treated for Schizophrenia, the more effective the treatment will be, and the more likely they are to succeed in school and at work, achieve independent lives, and enjoy personal relationships.
Antipsychotic medications help reduce the intensity and frequency of psychotic symptoms. While some drugs can have persistent side effects, it is important not to suddenly stop taking the medication without consulting your doctor, as it can cause symptoms to worsen.
Psychological therapies can help reduce symptoms, and prevent relapse and hospitalization. Especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps people cope with everyday activities and pursue personal goals, giving them a chance at a normal life.
Caring for someone with Schizophrenia
As Schizophrenia is often misunderstood, programs to educate and support family, friends and partners are extremely important. Caring for someone with Schizophrenia is very challenging, especially when you don’t know what is happening, or how to respond to someone who is experiencing psychosis.
When loved ones better recognize the psychotic symptoms, know what treatment options might be available, and understand that recovery is a lifelong commitment, they will be better able to effectively assist the person with Schizophrenia. Awareness of the disease can lessen distress, bolster empowerment, and strengthen the capacity to cope – for both patients and caregivers.
What to ask your doctor?
The list below includes example questions to help start a conversation with your health care provider. There may be other relevant questions based on your symptoms, stage, and medical history that are not listed here.
- Have you treated other people with Schizophrenia? If not, do you know of another doctor who does?
- Why have you prescribed this particular medication or more than one antipsychotic for me?
- What are the risks of this drug? Are there side effects? Is it addictive?
- Can I stop taking this medication if I don't like it?
- What can I do to prevent a relapse?
- How will I know if I am relapsing? What would the symptoms be?
- What kind of therapy do you offer and what is it trying to achieve?
- Can I live a normal life, have a family, hold a job?
- What should I tell friends, family, and co-workers about my condition?
- What resources or support groups are there for me and my family to help us cope?
Johnson & Johnson and Schizophrenia
For nearly seven decades, J&J has pioneered innovations for serious mental illness. These efforts have established J&J as the number one psychiatry company in the world.
Our heritage in neuroscience began in the late 1950s when Dr. Paul Janssen developed some of the first treatments in psychiatry.
Through our continued work in neuroscience, we have deepened our understanding of brain function in neuropsychiatric conditions and are focused on developing innovations for nervous system disorders.
We are involved in a large number of initiatives to support people affected by mental illness, and are particularly motivated to reduce stigma of mental health.
Glossary
- Syndrome: a number of related disorders with similar symptoms but different causes.
- Psychosis: episodes in which a person is unable to distinguish between real and unreal experiences.
- Antipsychotic medications: the main class of drugs used to treat people with schizophrenia. Also used to treat people with psychosis.
- Neurotransmitters: chemicals that are used for communication in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin.
- Psychological therapies: talking therapies or counselling.
- Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC): recovery-oriented treatment programs for people with first episode psychosis, an early stage of schizophrenia. It combines psychotherapy, medication management, case management, employment and education support, and family education and support.
- Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): reduces hospitalizations and homelessness among people with schizophrenia by a combination of multidisciplinary team, a shared caseload, a high frequency of patient contact, and low patient to staff ratios.
Patient advocacy groups and external sources
This website is developed exclusively by J&J Pharmaceutica NV. Please note that the patient advocacy groups, and external sources listed below are an additional and independent source of information you might find useful. These groups and sources were not involved in the creation of this website and do not endorse its content in any way.