How does schizophrenia affect the brain

This neurotransmitter also increases heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle activity. Because norepinephrine is associated with anxiety, some doctors prescribe their patients medications called beta blockers, which slow down the impact of this neurotransmitter on the body, calming down the individual. Unfortunately, individuals can also produce too much norepinephrine if they are exposed to high levels of stress on a regular basis.

If the body is exposed to high levels of norepinephrine on a regular basis, individuals may experience complications including:. Researchers believe that a lack of norepinephrine may affect different regions of the brain that are responsible for making decisions, staying organized, paying attention, regulating emotions, and processing information. In many cases, a combination of neurotransmitters affects our mental health. For example, in the case of bipolar disorder, scientists believe that a combination of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine contribute to the development of particular symptoms.

When bipolar individuals are depressed, they may be experiencing low levels of dopamine. When they are manic, on the other hand, they may be experiencing high levels of norepinephrine. Researchers have also discovered a connection between a lack of sleep and neurotransmitter levels, as bipolar individuals who slept poorly were more likely to experience manic symptoms the next day.

Obsessive compulsive disorder is also believed to have a link to multiple different types of neurotransmitters. As with bipolar disorder, researchers believe a combination of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine affects the development of OCD symptoms. As a result, in some cases, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor SSRI drugs, which are commonly used as antidepressants, can also reduce some OCD behaviors.

These concerns include our genetic profile or the traits we inherit from our parents and other family members. Scientists believe that individuals whose family members had schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder ADHD , for example, may be at a higher risk to develop those conditions themselves.

Other factors that influence our mental health are physical injuries, such as damage to the head or brain, and the environment in which we live, including exposure to violence, pollution, limited or unhealthy food, lead-based paint, cigarette smoke, poverty, crime, and traumatic events. While we may not have control over our genetic makeup or the environment in which we grow up, we can take more proactive steps as we grow older to maintain our mental health.

If we know that mental illness runs in our family, for example, we can be vigilant about watching for common signs and symptoms, as well as working closely with a doctor, therapist, or counselor to guide us on proper treatment. And if we grew up in a difficult environment, we can seek out professional help and guidance as we get older to help overcome that childhood trauma.

Most psychiatrists, psychologists, and other mental health professionals rely on a diagnostic manual called the DSM, or the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, to formally diagnose a person with a mental illness. The DSM, now in its 5th edition, is produced by the American Psychiatric Association and is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. The manual is compiled with the input of mental health professionals and scholars worldwide and is generally updated each decade to account for new research and findings in the field.

For example, in the 5th edition, the authors have updated information on emerging or recently reclassified disorders like delusional disorder, adjustment disorder, and persistent depressive disorder. In some cases, the authors also revise the scope of a disorder entirely. In the 5th edition, a condition like autism spectrum disorder is now placed along a continuum of different behaviors and symptoms.

This helps mental health professionals to properly diagnose the condition along a wide variety of different behaviors and symptoms. This also helps experts avoid accidentally diagnosing an individual with multiple different disorders instead of a variation of one existing disorder.

The 5th edition also focuses more heavily on gathering specific information about symptoms to help develop a more comprehensive and appropriate treatment. Other tools can also be used to see and understand how mental illness is affecting the individual on a neurological level. A reputable and ethical provider will provide a diagnosis based on the DSM or another manual, as well as their own professional training and expertise.

Mental illness can be complex and intimidating, especially since seeking help for mental health conditions continues to be heavily stigmatized in our society. Nancy Andreasen , Psychiatry, News From:. Carver College of Medicine.

News About:. Health Care. People with schizophrenia can have trouble distinguishing reality from fantasy, expressing and managing normal emotions and making decisions. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves.

People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other mental disorders, the symptoms can be very disabling. Those with the condition may hear imaginary voices and believe others are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts or plotting to harm them. Most people with schizophrenia suffer from symptoms either continuously or intermittently throughout life and are often severely stigmatized by people who do not understand the disease.

However, the symptoms are terrifying to those afflicted and can make them unresponsive, agitated or withdrawn. People with schizophrenia attempt suicide more often than people in the general population, and estimates are that up to 10 percent of people with schizophrenia will complete a suicide in the first 10 years of the illness — particularly young men with schizophrenia. While schizophrenia is a chronic disorder, it can be treated with medication, psychological and social treatments, substantially improving the lives of people with the condition.

Scientists believe that many different genes may increase the risk of schizophrenia development, but that no single gene causes the disorder by itself.

It is not yet possible to use genetic information to predict who will develop schizophrenia. Schizophrenia can have very different symptoms in different people.

The way the disease manifests itself and progresses in a person depends on the time of onset, severity, and duration of symptoms, which are categorized as positive, negative and cognitive. All three kinds of symptoms reflect problems in brain function. Relapse and remission cycles often occur; a person can get better, worse and better again repeatedly over time. Schizophrenia affects men and women equally. It occurs at similar rates in all ethnic groups around the world. Symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions usually start between ages 16 and Men tend to experience symptoms earlier than women.

Most of the time, people do not get schizophrenia after age Schizophrenia rarely occurs in children , but awareness of childhood-onset schizophrenia is increasing.

It can be difficult to diagnose schizophrenia in teens. This is because the first signs can include a change of friends, a drop in grades, sleep problems and irritability — behaviors that are common among teens. For more information about youth and schizophrenia, check out episodes from season four of Healthy Minds With Dr.

Jeffrey Borenstein which are available to view on our website. A combination of factors can predict schizophrenia in up to 80 percent of youth who are at high risk of developing the illness. These factors include isolating oneself and withdrawing from others, an increase in unusual thoughts and suspicions, and a family history of psychosis. Currently, schizophrenia is diagnosed by the presence of symptoms or their precursors for a period of six months. Two or more symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, disorganized speech, and grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior, must be significant and last for at least one month.

Foundation-funded research to find markers, such as abnormal brain scans or blood chemicals that can help detect early disease and allow for quicker interventions is now being done.

Some things that make it more likely that someone will develop schizophrenia are: having particular genes physical injuries to the brain traumatic experiences using drugs such as cannabis.

Patterns of symptoms. Who gets schizophrenia? Schizophrenia is seen in all countries and cultures. Getting help for schizophrenia Early medical care is vital to a good recovery. Where to get help — Australia Your GP family doctor — a GP can refer you to a public mental health service or a private psychiatrist, psychologist or private hospital clinic.

Your local mental health service — assessment and treatment at public mental health centres is free. Where to get help — New Zealand Your GP family doctor — a GP can refer you to a public mental health service or a private psychiatrist, psychologist or private hospital clinic.

Your District Health Board. How is schizophrenia diagnosed? There is no test for schizophrenia and no special sign that proves someone has it. How is schizophrenia treated? More about treatment of schizophrenia Recovery from schizophrenia If a person with schizophrenia gets the right treatment and the support they need, they can manage their symptoms.

How does schizophrenia affect people? Other health problems for people with schizophrenia People with schizophrenia often have other problems with their mental health and physical health. These can include: anxiety and depression problems with drug and alcohol use health problems caused by smoking physical health problems.

More information on staying physically healthy Suicide is one of the main causes of death for people with schizophrenia.

More about feeling suicidal. Remember People with schizophrenia experience psychosis, which means they can have serious problems with thinking clearly, emotions, and knowing what is real and what is not. When someone with schizophrenia gets the right treatment, they can think and act like themselves again. Treatment usually combines medication, education, rehabilitation, and support. You might also be interested in: Antipsychotic medication Physical health for people with mental illness Psychiatric hospitals.