The term “schizophrenia” was implemented but Swiss psychiatrist E. Bleuler in 1911 in his monograph “Dementia Praecox oder Gruppe der Schizophrenien”. He also added a forth type of this disorder: simple form. Bleuler tried to describe schizophrenia based on “basis” symptoms such as mental and emotional impairment.
In 1974 a Scandinavian psychiatrist G. Langfeld subdivided schizophrenia into two forms: with bad and with good prognosis based on factors preceding onset of disease and clinical presentations during the climax. Modern attempts to revise forms of schizophrenia base on Langfeld’s approach.
Schizophrenia disorders are characterized by mental and motor impairment, disturbances of sensory perception, temporary insanity. Some people have only one such psychotic episode; others have many episodes during a lifetime, but lead relatively normal lives during the interim periods.
As a rule schizophrenia begins in early twenties. The risk identification of schizophrenia is bigger in large cities than at a country side. The difference between man’s and women’s syndromes and clinical course of disease is insignificant. People with predisposition to schizophrenia also have such symptoms as social isolation or withdrawal, or unusual speech, thinking, or behavior. In general in North America approximately one percent of the population develops schizophrenia during their lifetime.
The most prevalent form of schizophrenia is paranoiac schizophrenia, which is characterized by delusion of persecution with jealousy and animosity. However there are also such symptoms as mental impairment and hallucinations. Delusion of persecution may last for years going stronger and develop into eerie. As a rule patients with paranoiac form of schizophrenia usually have no visual changes in behavior, mental and social degradation, like during other form of disease.
Hebephrenic form of schizophrenia differs from paranoiac form by also symptoms and outlet. Prevalent symptoms are mental impairment, emotional disorientation and temporary insanity. Thinking process may be so disorganized that patient loses capability for sensible contact.
Catatonic schizophrenia is primarily characterized by abnormities in motoric functions. It may be wrong pose and face expression, or moving in a strange manner. The patient can stay in a odd and uncomfortable pose alternative with stereotyped movements and gesture. Face expression is usually stoned. Mimicry is absent or poor. Along with such symptoms there are also other signs of schizophrenia described above: paranoiac delusion, mental impairment, hallucinations, etc.
As a whole the diagnostic borders of different types of schizophrenia is slightly dim. Ambiguity emerges time to time. Nevertheless this classification remains from the early 1900th. Because it turned out to be very productive and useful also in diagnostic and clinical outcome of it. There is not faultless laboratory test to clearly recognize the schizophrenia. Now days diagnosis is based on analyzes of disease history and observation of the patient.
At the time we learn about causes and treatment of schizophrenia especially during last 25 years, we should be able to help more patients achieve successful outcomes. Usually a combination of heave tranquilizer and different forms of physiological, social and moral support is used for treatment. In climax period treatment is usually conducted in clinic, because the behavior of patients can be socially dangerous, and they can’t look after themselves. There is also a great risk of suicide or aggression. In such cases compulsory hospitalization is used.
In the long run most of the patients prove to be able to live outside the clinic and lead rich social life if given appropriate social support. Most of them are able to continue their work. Use of tranquilizations over a long period of time suppress most of the symptoms of the schizophrenia and normalize morale.
Social support is really important for long run help. It includes observation of patients and consultations with specialists. Also living conditions without strong stress are provided, because hostile and critical attitude towards patient in the family circle may stimulate recurring attack of disease.
