African American Mental Health Guide

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Schizophrenia

Understanding Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Schizophrenia is categorized as a “psychotic” disorder. The term “psychotic,” in its scientific sense, is not as it is regarded within communities or portrayed in media as someone who is “crazy” or “whacked out.” Psychotic refers to a break from reality as evidenced by the experience of: (1) hallucinations and/or (2) delusions. Schizophrenia is more rare than other psychological disorders. And, its symptoms are usually more debilitating.

Hallucinations are the most common symptoms of Schizophrenia, and can involve all of the sense organs. Indicating a break from reality, hallucinations entail sensory perceptions that are not real. The most common hallucination is auditory, hearing things that are not really there. The second most common is visual hallucinations, seeing things that are not there. Other hallucinations include tactile (feeling things on the skin that are not actually there), somatic feeling or sensing objects within the body that are not there); gustatory (tasting things that are not there); olfactory (smelling things that are not there).

While hallucinations involve the sense organs, delusions are persistent false beliefs despite the evidence.

Risk factors include:

Personal or family history of depression
Major life changes, trauma, or stress
Certain physical illnesses and medications

Primary Types of Depressive Disorders

Major Depressive Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Postpartum Depressive Disorder

Personal Story: Michelle Williams, Major Depressive Disorder and Suicidal Ideation

Symptoms

Symptoms of schizophrenia usually start between ages 16 and 30. In rare cases, children have schizophrenia too.

The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into three categories:

(1) Positive, (2) Negative, and (3) Cognitive.

Positive symptoms are abnormal experiences added as a result of the disorder. Positive symptoms include:

Hallucinations
Delusions
Thought disorders (unusual or dysfunctional ways of thinking)
Movement disorders (agitated body movements)

Negative symptoms: “Negative” symptoms are normal emotions and behaviors that are disrupted due to the disorder. Negative Symptoms include:

“Flat affect” (reduced expression of emotions via facial expression or voice tone)
Reduced feelings of pleasure in everyday life
Difficulty beginning and sustaining activities
Reduced speaking

Cognitive symptoms: For some individuals, the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia are subtle, but for others, they are more severe and patients may notice changes in their memory or other aspects of thinking. Cognitive symptoms include:

Poor “executive functioning” (the ability to understand information and use it to make decisions)
Trouble focusing or paying attention
Problems with “working memory” (the ability to use information immediately after learning it)

Source: NIMH

Treatment

Medication

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotic medications are usually taken daily in pill or liquid form. Some antipsychotics are injections that are given once or twice a month. Doctors and patients can work together to find the best medication or medication combination, and the right dose.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapeutic approaches are helpful along with finding a medication that works. Learning and using coping skills to address the everyday challenges of schizophrenia helps people to pursue their life goals, such as attending school or work. Individuals who participate in regular psychosocial treatment are less likely to have relapses or be hospitalized.

Depression Brief Assessment

The brief Depression Assessment is not intended to provide you with a diagnosis. It can be used to provide you with further insight into whether you should seek counseling. You should not use the assessment alone to make a determination. It is just one tool to add to all the factors you can consider in deciding to seek treatment.

Assessment Source: Mental Health America (MHA)

Personal Story: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Major Depressive Disorder

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