Schizophrenia: Introduction

by Rethink

• Schizophrenia is an illness that can be treated
• One in a hundred people will experience schizophrenia during their lifetime
• The majority of people with schizophrenia will lead ordinary lives

Schizophrenia is a mental illness. The first acute episode can be a devastating experience, particularly as both the person experiencing the illness and those close to him will be unprepared. About one in a hundred people world-wide experience at least one such episode at some time during their lives, although the highest incidence is in the late teens and early 20's. About a quarter of people who develop schizophrenia recover within five years. Approximately two-thirds of those who develop the condition experience fluctuating symptoms over many years. About ten to fifteen percent experience severe long term incapacity. In about one quarter of cases there is eventually a full recovery. The majority will have long periods of good functioning, with occasional problems. The recent discovery of new forms of treatment may lead to further improvement in rates of recovery, particularly if everyone involved, for instance, both the person with schizophrenia and their family, learns to understand how to cope.

In schizophrenia the activity of chemical messengers at certain nerve endings in the brain is unusual and this may be a clue to the causes of the disorder. During what is sometimes referred to as "an acute episode" the mental processes of experiencing and thinking become distorted. When severe this can lead to intense panic, anger, depression, elation or over activity, perhaps punctuated by periods of withdrawal. It is not surprising that other people, particularly family and friends, find the changes incomprehensible and are themselves devastated.

One common misconception is that schizophrenia is the result of 'split personality'. In fact 'multiple personality', the correct term, is very rare and has nothing to do with schizophrenia. The mistake comes from the fact that the name 'schizophrenia' was coined from two Greek words meaning 'split' and 'mind'. It was intended to represent the fact that processes of thought, feeling and intention, guiding the person's actions, no longer interact to form a coherent whole.

what is borderline schizophrenia?

This refers to a condition which has some of the characteristics of schizophrenia, but not enough for a firm diagnosis, or perhaps some of the characteristics of schizophrenia and some of the characteristics of another condition. This term is also used in several different ways: as a separate diagnosis, with its own group of symptoms as a way of describing a mild form of schizophrenia, and as a diagnosis of personality abnormality.

This lack of precision in the use of the term makes this diagnosis of limited value. Often a person given a diagnosis of borderline schizophrenia will later be given a diagnosis of schizophrenia, mood disorder or personality disorder.

About the Author

www.rethink.org
Rethink is the largest severe mental illness charity in the UK. We are dedicated to improving the lives of everyone affected by severe mental illness, whether they have a condition themselves, care for others who do, or are professionals or volunteers working in the mental health field.