Amber Kelleravkeller@ucsd.eduPsychology major.

Raise Mental Health Awareness: Break the Stigma!

Schizophrenia

Despite the stigma, “Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character, or poor upbringing. Mental illnesses are treatable.” - National Alliance On Mental Health.

Schizophrenia-General Background-Symptoms-Causes -Treatment

& the stigma associated with it

What is Schizophrenia?• Severe, long-term

brain disorder. • ~1% of Americans

have this disorder.• Stigma: They are

super violent and scary.

• Actuality: Risk of violence = small.

http://www.neurosci.ucla.edu

Symptoms

Positive symptoms-something you “get” because of the disorder.

1) Hallucinations- Things they may hear, see, smell, or feel that no one else does. Hearing “voices”, is the most common.

Schizophrenics may suffer from ANY combination of these:

Positive symptoms continued

2) Delusions- False beliefs.

Ex: They may believe they are an FBI agent or famous person. Or others are paranoid and believe that people are planning to hurt them or their family.

http://www.clivir.com

paranoia

Positive symptoms

3) Disordered behavior- Some may take part in repetitive movements, while others are catatonic- they do not move or respond to others for hours at a time.

Negative symptoms

Joy in everyday life/social function

“Flat affect”- lack of facial expressions, and a monotone voice

Good hygiene

Something you may “lose” because of the disorder:

www.brainline.org

Cognitive symptoms

Trouble focusingWorking memory

deficitsThis is another reason

why when untreated, most schizophrenics rely on others and do not hold a job

psychology.wikia.com

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Symptoms Misidentified1st symptoms of schizophrenia such as:

are often misidentified by others as depression, laziness, or lack of motivation.

http://www.myzeo.com

http://ww

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Bad gradesSleep changes

Causes of Schizophrenia!?1)Genetics

Thought to be a complicated of interplay of:

Causes of Schizophrenia!?2) Environmental factors?For those already predisposed to mental illnesses in their family, recent studies suggest that marijuana may trigger onset of schizophrenia. (Psychology 179: Drug Addictions and Mental Disorders. Professor George Koob. UCSD).

Causes of Schizophrenia!?Environmental factors?

If genetically predisposed: Does marijuana use cause schizophrenia? Or does being schizophrenic cause marijuana use? Still being studied.

Psychology 179: Drug Addictions and Mental Disorders. Professor George Koob. UCSD).

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Causes of Schizophrenia!?

3) Genetic mutation?People with schizophrenia tend to have higher rates of genetic mutations. One gene may be responsible for chemical imbalances in schizophrenia. Research is still ongoing.(National Institute of Mental Health).

xenophilius.wordpress.com

Causes of Schizophrenia!?4) Brain Chemistry and Structure

Overactive dopamine levels

http://www.scienceclarified.com

There are medications to decrease dopamine production now.

Those who don’t seek treatment

dhstelegram.com

25% of homeless have a mental disorder.

4-16% of them have schizophrenia.

Only about half of the homeless with schizophrenia estimated to be receiving treatment.

Statistics from Guest Lecture by: David L. Braff M.D. (UCSD Schizophrenia Research Program)

Success is still an option…• John Nash. Brilliant

mathematician, most popular for his works in the game theory.

• Shared a Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1994.

• Has had a successful life, with the disorder.

The movie, “A Beautiful Mind” was loosely-based on his life.

nytimes.com

There are many treatment options! One should talk to a professional to see what works best for them.

Treatmenthttp://w

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.chrisakins.com

Take Away Message… - Schizophrenia is a no fault disorder, a biological

illness, that they do not choose. - They are unaware that their behaviors are unusual

and they are convinced that their hallucinations are real.

- Therefore, they need lots of support from family and friends so that they will seek treatment and improve their daily lives.

Credit given to:• Professor George Koob (Ph.D.)

Psychology 179: Drug Addictions and Mental Disorders. gkoob@ucsd.edu

• David L. Braff (M.D.) , Schizophrenia Research Program at UCSD, Guest Lecturer for Professor Koob’s class.

• National Institute of Mental Health-On their site you can find much useful info about many mental illnesses and treatment options. Also find out how to volunteer.

www.nimh.nih.gov/• National Alliance On Mental Health www.nami.org/

Professor George Koob.

http://neurograd.ucsd.edu