The Session – What is Schizophrenia?

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Livingwithschizophreniauk.org

• Schizophrenia is an illness affecting the brain and rooted within the biological functions of the brain cells.
• At some time during their life about 1 in 100 people will suffer an episode of schizophrenia.
  Schizophrenia occurs in all countries and societies of the world.
  Schizophrenia affects men and women alike and sufferers come from all walks of life and social backgrounds.
• It is not multiple personality disorder. That is known as dissociative disorder. (let’s do quick definitions here for both)
• Onset: It tends to strike most often in late teens and early twenties, slightly earlier in men than in women, although late onset illness can occur as late as the 70s. Schizophrenia before puberty is very rare.
• The word schizophrenia literally means a “fragmented mind”.
• It is caused by an abnormality in the brain cell of dopamine.
• This hormone is responsible for thought processes and an excess or shortage can cause thinking to become disturbed.
• What the evidence shows us is that people with schizophrenia are at considerably higher risk of death by suicide than the general population and are also more at risk of violent behavior and sexually disinhibited behavior. However provided that adequate psychiatric care is provided and good supervision of those in crisis is carried out these risks can be reduced to levels no higher than the general population.
• The cause of schizophrenia is often times thought to be genetic predisposition and potential complications a childbirth.
• Schizophrenia is a severe condition in which the sufferer may completely lose touch with reality, become socially withdrawn, be unable to work or study and stop looking after themselves. Their behavior may become bizarre or sometimes dangerous.
• Other symptoms include delusions (a false) and hallucinations (perception of something not there)

(National Institute of Health) Religious Delusions: People with schizophrenia often experience hallucinations or false beliefs with religious content, such as believing they are God, a saint, or being punished by demons.

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