Schizophrenia, Medicaiton and Men

Schizophrenia is a terrible mental illness that greatly affects how an individual thinks, feels and behaves. If this disease is left untreated it can become debilitating for an individual, however, there are treatments that have proven to be very successful for individuals with schizophrenia. The first sign of schizophrenia generally comes after an individual's first psychotic episode, however, gradual changes in the way an individual thinks, feels and functions begins long before the first psychotic break (NIMH, 2020). Whilst schizophrenia is possible in young children, it is very unlikely that it will occur before adolescents (NIMH, 2020). Schizophrenia falls into three main categories; psychotic symptoms, negative symptoms and cognitive symptoms. Psychotic symptoms come in the form of altered perceptions such as changes in vision, hearing, smell, touch, taste, abnormal thinking and odd behaviors. An individual who is suffering from psychotic symptoms is likely to experience; Hallucinations, which is the hearing of voices or seeing things that aren't actually there, Delusion, which are firmly held beliefs or irrational fears such as believing people are after you and Thought disorder, which includes unusual thinking and disorganized speech (NIMH, 2020). Negative symptoms include things like loss of motivation, difficulty planning, beginning and sustaining activities, diminished feelings of pleasure, reduced emotions and expression of emotions and reduced communication (NIMH, 2020). Cognitive symptoms include difficulty processing information, using information and or focusing on information (NIMH, 2020). 

Schizophrenia can run in families, however, there are specific genes that can increase the likelihood that an individual develops the disease but there is no one specific gene that causes it (NIMH, 2020). Experts expect there is a link between an individual's genetics and their environment that put them at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia (NIMH, 2020). Some environmental factors that may put an individual at a higher risk of developing schizophrenia are; living in poverty, stressful surroundings, exposure to viruses or nutritional problems before birth (NIMH, 2020). Differences in brain structure and the function of chemical messengers may also play a role in the development of schizophrenia (NIMH, 2020). Differences in brain connections and circuits may begin before birth but the changes to the brain that occur during puberty can trigger psychotic episodes (NIMH, 2020). The substance abuse and mental health administration (SAMHSA) is an amazing resource for individuals with or family members of an individual with schizophrenia (NIMH, 2020). This resource provides a locator for finding treatment facilities and programs for the disease.

Whilst Schizophrenia seems like a very daunting disease, and it very much is, there is hope for individuals to lead a close to normal life. Antipsychotic medications work really well to reduce the intensity and frequency of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenic individuals. These medications can come in pill form, liquid form that are taken daily or injections that are administered once or twice a month (NIMH, 2020). If the prescribed medication does not work for an individual they will be prescribed clozapine which is a stronger medication with potentially dangerous side effects that need to be monitored (NIMH, 2020). Whilst antipsychotic medication does a great job of minimizing psychotic symptoms some of the negative side effects of the drug include; weight gain, dry mouth, restlessness and drowsiness (NIMH, 2020). However bad an individual might find these symptoms it is important that they don't decide to suddenly stop taking their medication as it can make schizophrenic symptoms much worse than they were initially. Antipsychotic drugs do an amazing job at relieving individuals of their psychotic symptoms, however, they do not cure or treat the symptoms (NIMH, 2020). Both typical and atypical antipsychotics can treat the symptoms of schizophrenia although many of the atypical antipsychotics have a broader spectrum and can also be used to treat other disorders such as bipolar depression or depressive disorders. 

Men and women are both equally likely to suffer from schizophrenia disorder. The biggest difference is that men tend to experience this mental illness at a younger age. For men schizophrenia tends to become apparent beginning in their late teens to early twenties (NIMH, 2020). Whilst it is equally as likely for men and women to get this disease it is more likely that a man will take his life due to mental illness (NIMH, 2019). Men with schizophrenia are more likely to suffer from the lack of will and energy, inability to plan and complete and making decisions and are also less likely to react positively to antipsychotic medications than women (Tracy, 2016). Symptoms of schizophrenia are more severe and are therefore more likely to affect their day to day life such as relationships and holding down a job (Tracy, 2016). 

     Citations

NIMH. (2019, June). Men and Mental Health. Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/men-and-mental-health/index.shtml

NIMH. (2016, October). Mental Health Medications. Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications/index.shtml

NIMH. (2020, May). Schizophrenia. Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml

Tracy, N. (2016, July 14). Schizophrenia in Men and Women: What's the Difference? Retrieved November 09, 2020, from https://www.healthyplace.com/thought-disorders/schizophrenia-symptoms/schizophrenia-in-men-and-women-whats-the-difference