Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia
According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists Schizophrenia affects around 1% of the UK population and it can affect anyone. The average age of onset is 18 for a man and 25 for a woman, however it can be treated and most people will fully recover.
It is not yet known the cause of schizophrenia but is generally agreed that it is caused by a combination of factors rather than a single one. Causes can include stressful life events, using cannabis and other recreational drugs and chemical in-balances in the brain.
Symptoms of schizophrenia can include:-
- Having a lack of interest in things
- Feeling disconnected from your feelings
- Have difficulty concentrating
- Wanting to avoid people
- Hallucinations (hearing voices or seeing things others don't)
- Delusions (strong beliefs that others don't share)
- Disorganised thinking and speech
- Not wanting to look after yourself
More information on schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder can be found here. Schizophrenia