Schizophrenia and Suicide
by Kevin Caruso
Four in ten people who suffer from schizophrenia attempt suicide.
One in ten people who suffer from schizophrenia dies by suicide.
Thus, the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia should be considered an urgent matter.
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder that affects over 2 million Americans.
People with schizophrenia often have hallucinations and/or delusions. They may hear voices that no one else can hear, believe that other people are controlling their thoughts, believe that others can read their mind, or believe that others are plotting to harm them.
And these problems oftentimes make them fearful and cause them to withdraw from people.
The disorder is caused by genetic factors and is not caused by a response to negative experiences, stress, alcohol or drug use.
Schizophrenia is not a "split personality" or "multiple personality" disorder, as some erroneously believe. But it is a type of psychotic disorder that causes people to have difficulty interpreting reality.
The illness affects both genders, but the onset is normally a few years later in women than in men--
it typically strikes men between 15 and 25 and women between 25 and 35.
Schizophrenia affects people of all ethnicities, in all countries.
Treating schizophrenia consists of prescribing medication; some people will
experience a complete elimination of symptoms with the medication, while
others will experience a lessening of symptoms.
Therapy should be sought in conjunction with medication, but not as a replacement for the medication.
Again, people who have schizophrenia need to take medication. Period.
The symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into "positive" and "negative" symptoms.
Positive symptoms are those that distort normal function. Negative symptoms
are those that cause a lessening or loss of normal function.
Positive symptoms
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech
- Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
Negative symptoms
- Low energy
- Lack of emotion
- Low motivation
- Difficulty of Inability to speak
- A blank facial expression
- Inappropriate social skills
- Inability to make or keep friends
- Social isolation
Cognitive symptoms
- Slow thinking
- Disorganized thinking
- Difficulty understanding
- Poor concentration
- Poor memory
- Difficulty expressing thoughts
- Difficulty integrating thoughts, feelings and behavior
In short, if anyone starts acting in an unusual way, starts to withdraw,
or experiences hallucinations or delusions, he or she should see a medical
doctor and a psychiatrist immediately.
The suicide rate is very high for people with schizophrenia ,and thus
if there is the slighteset possiblility that you or someone you know
has schizophrenia, get help immediately.
Please take immediate action if you need to.
Thank you.
And if you or someone you know is suicidal, please
read the information on the home page of this website and take immediate action.
Please click below for additional informaion.
Most People With Schizophrenia Do Not Take Their Medication as Directed;
Are at Risk For Suicide
Take care,
Kevin Caruso
