Understanding Schizophrenia Misconceptions

Schizophrenia Misconceptions

• Schizophrenia is NOT about split personalities. "Schizo" means split, and "phrenia" means mind, but it's a breakdown in mental processes, not personality.
• It's NOT a multiple personality disorder.

Schizophrenia Violence

• Violence by people with schizophrenia is uncommon (less than 5% in the UK).
• Individuals with depression have higher rates of violence.
• Those with schizophrenia are more at risk of being victims due to vulnerability caused by reduced work capacity and cognitive impairment.

Schizophrenia and Louis Wain

• Louis Wain, an English artist, developed delusions in his 20s and 30s.
• He had some acts of violence.
• He was hospitalized at Bethlem Hospital in London.
• His art shows visual perceptual distortions and cognitive dysfunction, characteristic of schizophrenia.
• His cat paintings reveal fluctuating schizophrenia symptoms, with periods of intense symptoms followed by periods of relative inactivity.

Schizophrenia Epidemiology

• About 1% of the UK population develops schizophrenia.
• It affects all cultures and socioeconomic groups.
• Peak onset is in men (15-25 years old) and women (25-35 years old).
• Schizophrenia is more expensive than other mental disorders, with direct costs of £5-6 billion annually and indirect costs of £6-7 billion annually.
• It's a highly debilitating disease, with 50% attempting suicide and 10% succeeding.

Gender Differences in Schizophrenia

• Men and women both develop schizophrenia, but there are differences in symptom presentation.
• Men tend to have more negative symptoms.
• Women tend to have a better initial treatment response.
• Women are more likely to have a family history of the disorder.

Schizophrenia Etiology (Cause)

• Schizophrenia is a biological condition with a genetic component.
• A first-degree relative with schizophrenia increases the individual's risk of developing the disorder to 10%.
• Identical twins have a 50% chance of both developing it.
• Genetic predisposition relates to prenatal conditions, brain abnormalities and neurotransmitter imbalances.

Diathesis-Stress Model of Schizophrenia

• This model suggests schizophrenia results from a blend of genetic vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental stressors.

• Environmental stressors trigger or worsen schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals.

• Examples include childhood trauma, substance use, social pressures, urban environments, and prenatal complications.

• Prenatal stress, like those experienced during times of war or famine (e.g., the Hunger Winter of WWII) can increase schizophrenia risk.

• Complications during pregnancy, like gestational diabetes, placental abruption or ectopic pregnancy, have a strong correlation with schizophrenia.

• Maternal viral infections during pregnancy have been tied to increased schizophrenia risk in offspring.