Schizophrenia Overview

A mental illness characterized by disturbances in thinking, perception, emotions, and behavior. It involves positive (e.g., hallucinations, delusions) and negative (e.g., lack of motivation, social withdrawal) symptoms.

Experiences that are not real, such as hearing voices or seeing things that are not there.

False beliefs that are firmly held despite evidence to the contrary. These beliefs can be bizarre or unlikely.

Symptoms that involve an excess or distortion of normal functions, such as hallucinations and delusions.

Symptoms that involve a decrease or loss of normal functions, such as apathy, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation.

A type of antipsychotic medication that primarily blocks dopamine receptors. They are typically more effective at treating positive symptoms.

A type of antipsychotic medication that blocks both serotonin and dopamine receptors. They are often more effective at treating both positive and negative symptoms.

A group of symptoms related to a decrease or loss of typical mental functions, like motivation, interest, speaking, and social engagement.

Symptoms that are not normally present in people and are considered additions or distortions of reality, such as hearing voices, experiencing false beliefs, and having disorganized speech.

The biological basis of a disease, including how it develops and functions.

Chemicals in the brain that transmit signals between nerve cells. In schizophrenia, dysregulation of dopamine and serotonin is thought to play a role.

A type of medication that helps to block the action of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, often used to treat schizophrenia.

Antipsychotics are used to manage schizophrenia, but they don't cure it. All antipsychotics have similar effectiveness, but the choice depends on the patient's needs and their ability to tolerate side effects.

Atypical antipsychotics are often the first choice due to their lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects and better tolerability. They also tend to manage both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, is often used as a last resort when other medications fail. It can cause agranulocytosis, a condition where the body's white blood cell count drops dangerously low, and can also trigger seizures.

Antipsychotic treatment should start with a low dose and be gradually increased based on the patient's response. Dosage adjustments should be made every 4-6 weeks if there is no improvement.

Stopping antipsychotics abruptly can lead to rebound psychosis, meaning the symptoms return or get worse. It's important to taper off these medications slowly and gradually to allow the body to adjust.

Extrapyramidal side effects (EPS) are involuntary muscle movements that can occur with typical antipsychotics. They're more common in older adults.

Atypical antipsychotics are less likely to cause extrapyramidal side effects but can lead to metabolic problems such as weight gain, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol.

Antipsychotics are used to manage schizophrenia symptoms, but they are not addictive. However, stopping treatment abruptly can be difficult due to the body's dependence on the medication.