An Overview of Schizophrenia

Published on: 14 March 2016 Last Updated on: 12 July 2021

Schizophrenia remains one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders in the U.S. Many people assume that schizophrenia refers to a complete inability to accept life. However, schizophrenia actually describes a severe, chronic brain disorder characterized by abnormal thought processes and rationale. Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia are similar to other mental health conditions, which makes accurate diagnoses difficult for mental rehabilitation experts.

Prevalence of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia affects between 0.5 percent and 1 percent of individuals around the globe. The first episode tends to occur at age 21 for men and age 27 for women, explains the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). About 33 percent of those with schizophrenia attempt suicide and 10 percent will succeed. In a Canadian study, schizophrenia diagnoses resulted in a total cost of $6.85 billion for the U.S. and Canada.

Risk factors

Across mental health facilities, mental health professionals have yet to determine an exact cause of schizophrenia. However, a family history of schizophrenia, exposure to toxins while in utero, increased immune system response, older age of a person’s father, and exposure to psychotropic substances during adolescence have been thought to be the primary risk factors for developing schizophrenia (Mayo Clinic).

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms vary from person to person. According to the Mayo Clinic, most signs and symptoms reveal abnormal brain functioning and include the following:

1. Hallucinations :

Hallucinations may involve any of the five senses; however, hearing voices is the most common hallucination

2. Delusions:

Delusions are similar to hallucinations. Delusions occur when a person has a false belief about a given event or situation. For example, a person may believe he or she has a role in global politics when it is not true

3. Thought disorders:

Thought disorders are unusual, counter-productive ways of thinking

4. Movement disorders:

Movement disorders are characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, which are most commonly noticed in the face. Alternatively, someone with schizophrenia may become catatonic, which means he or she does not move at all

5. Disruptive emotions and behaviors:

Emotional states in schizophrenic individuals may mirror the ups and downs of other mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder.

6. Poor cognitive functioning:

Someone with schizophrenia may be incapable of understanding information and making decisions on the basis of the information. Furthermore, working memory and difficulty concentrating are common aspects of poor cognitive functioning

Treatment Options

Depending on the severity of the episode, treatment for schizophrenia may occur in inpatient mental health facilities. However, outpatient treatment is a vital aspect of treatment after discharge.

1. Antipsychotic medications:

Antipsychotic and atypical antipsychotic medications focus on eradicating the symptoms of schizophrenia. Some of these medications may cause serious side effects

2. Psychosocial treatment:

Psychosocial treatment involves teaching a person to readapt to life through physical, speech, and occupational therapy

3. Integrated Treatment :

If a person with schizophrenia has a co-occurring mental health disorder, the treatment must include address all other disorders

Although schizophrenia can present some of the most difficult symptoms in mental health therapies, the disorder can be effectively managed. However, understanding the symptoms and treatment options of schizophrenia plays a significant role in preventing the disorder from developing further.

Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

View all posts

CBD for Pain Relief: Dosage Guidelines and Safety

A lot of people have been using CBD oil for pain relief. One of the wonderful effects of using CBD is the effective pain relief it can provide for people experiencing various kinds of illness and conditions, including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. You can consider CBD like a multivitamin which takes some time and some getting used to for the body to experience its benefits. Also, the effects can vary from one person to another, which is why it is essential to consider the best way to dose CBD. CBD Dosage for Pain How little or how large a dosage of CBD to take will depend on a few elements, including your body weight, your body chemistry which is unique from others, the condition or illness you are trying to treat with CBD, and the concentration of the CBD product you are taking, whether it’s in the form of CBD infused beverage, oil, capsule, pill, gummy, or balm. And while there is no ‘right' CBD dose that can work for everyone, one can set his own dosage instructions with the passage of usage and time. One of the easiest ways to figure out the best CBD dose to start with, especially for beginners, is based on body weight. If you have an average weight of 150 lbs. to 240 lbs., a starting CBD dose of 15 mg to 20 mg would be enough to relieve pain if you are looking for a variety of ailments. It can be taken either once or twice a day. The effect of this dose can differ from one another. Some might experience its effect right after taking the dose while some others might take time noticing its effects. General CBD Dosage Guide The general CBD dosage guidelines will depend on your body weight and at what dosage range to start and how to progress from that. 1. Mild Range Taking CBD should be gradual. It will be ideal if you start on a lower dosage, especially if you are considering CBD for the first time. It would be smart to make your body well acquainted with the effects of CBD before taking them in large doses or as you need. At this range, the recommended dosage for an average weight between 46-85 lbs. is 9mg, 12mg for between 86-150 lbs. average body weight, 18mg for between 151-240 lbs. average body weight, and 22.5mg for average body weight more than 240 lbs. 2. Medium Range If you need a higher dosage of CBD or if you are not experiencing any benefits or effects with the mild CBD dosage range, then you can move on to taking the medium dosage range for CBD. At this range, the recommended dosage is 12mg for 48-85lbs average body weight, 15mg for between 86-150 lbs. average body weight, 22.5mg for between 151-240 lbs. average body weight, and 30mg for average body weight more than 240 lbs. 3. High Range If the medium dosage range still hasn't given you the desired effects, then you can go all-in with the high CBD dosage range. At this range, the recommended dosage is 15mg for 48-85lbs average body weight, 18mg for between 86-150 lbs. average body weight, 27mg for between 151-240 lbs. average body weight, and 45mg for average body weight more than 240 lbs. When to Dose CBD? After figuring out the best dosage to start with when using CBD for pain relief, the next thing is to find your preferred CBD dosing schedule. There are three main dosage schedules you can choose from when taking CBD. Hourly Micro-Dosing Every Two to Three Hours Once or Twice a Day You can choose what is more convenient for you, as long as you stay with the recommended dosage amount per day. CBD Edibles Dosage Guide There are various CBD products you can take, and it doesn't necessarily have to be in the oil form. There are CBD edibles available if that is your preferred way to take CBD. It often comes in capsule or gummy forms. CBD edibles usually come with a guideline as to how much CBD there is for every serving. Aside from CBD oils, this CBD form produces a more prolonged effect, which is perfect for using in a once or twice-a-day dosing schedule. You can take one or more capsules or gummy depending on your needs or dosage. CBD Balm Dosage Guide You will either need to apply very little or a lot depending on the strength or concentration of the CBD balm. Using a small amount of the balm on the affected area is the best way to start and reapplying as needed. The dosing of CBD mainly lies in the product, its quality, and its concentration. Some companies that produce CBD products provide dosing guidelines, but that is often specific to their product only. If you want to get your desired results, you can make use of this dosing guide, to begin with, and find the best dosage for your needs. CBD for Pain Safety Concerns As much as CBD can be beneficial for pain relief, that is only true if CBD is used the right way. Here are some guidelines when consuming CBD. 1. Make Sure You Are Dosing CBD and Not Other ‘Similar’ Oil There are a lot of oils you can find in the market, and some can be mistaken for CBD oil. If you want to get the best benefits CBD can offer, then you have to choose your products well. If you are going for an oil-based CBD product, then make sure it's CBD oil and not hemp oil. The two are not the same, even if you think they are. 2. Start Slow and Work Your Way Up from There CBD can have very intense effects, depending on who takes it and how much. As a beginner, it is always recommended to start small and go your way up from there. That way, your body wouldn’t feel the shock of the effects of CBD. There is no single ‘dosage' that can work for everybody when it comes to CBD. The amount of CBD you take for pain relief will depend on several factors like body weight and chemistry, as well as the quality and concentration of the CBD product you have. The best way to figure the dosage of CBD for pain relief would be to use this starting dosage guideline and enjoy the process of figuring out which amount or dosage range works perfectly to achieve your desired effects. Read Also: Should You Consider Drinking Cbd Water? How To Make Your Own Cannabis Topicals Cannabis Can Help In The Fight Against Drug Addiction

What Are The Most Important Insights Which the People Should Know About Coronavirus Health Insurance?

In the tough times of a coronavirus outbreak, people need to be mentally and financially prepared for them so that there is no hassle at any point in time. Currently, in India, there are several COVID-19 cases, which is the main reason people need to be very serious about this particular aspect with insurance like coronavirus health insurance because India is a vastly populated nation. Why Is Coronavirus Health Insurance Required? The total number of vaccinated people is still few in comparison to the total population, and this particular virus is spreading widely across the nation. Hence, it is very much advisable for people to be prepared for any kind of unforeseen circumstance in advance. Whenever people are having proper access to the corona health insurance, then there will be no hassle at any point in time because people will be able to avail the best possible medical coverage without any kind of problem. The coronavirus disease can cause infection into the nose, upper throat, and several other kinds of areas, and in severe cases, people can also lead to different kinds of respiratory issues, for example, pneumonia, asthma, and several other types of problems like multiple organ failure. Hence, the symptoms of coronavirus infection are very much similar to the regular flu, which is the main reason people need to be very clear about all market available coronavirus health insurance policies so that there is no hassle at any point in time. How Is Coronavirus Health Insurance Covering Expenses? Coronavirus health insurance will always refer to a vertical policy that will help in covering the medical expenses incurred in the treatment of COVID-19. This coronavirus health insurance policy has been specifically designed to cover the hospitalization expenses of the policyholder. It is resistant to any kind of disease and has been perfectly provided with the best possible care. Coronavirus is an infection, and the components of the health insurance policy will always help pay for the pre-and-post hospitalization expenses as well incurred with the treatment of COVID-19. The coronavirus health insurance will be very readily available from the day when the insured will be getting diagnosed with this particular disease, and the following are the most important advantages of this specific plan: In the cases of coronavirus treatment, it will be covered with zero additional cost with the help of this particular policy. In the cases of home treatment, everything will be undertaken as covered if suggested by the doctor. The consumable expenses like the cost of the PPE kit, mask, ventilator, and gloves will also be undertaken. The principle of copayment will also be particularly applicable, but age-based copayment is not there in most of the plans. People can also go with the option of availing the facility of cashless treatment. Add-on covers are also significantly available in the whole process so that there is no problem at any point in time. Different Kinds Of Coronavirus Health Insurance Policies There are different kinds of COVID-19 policies available in India, which is why people need to be clear about the basic features of every policy so that they can choose the perfect options depending upon them. One should always go with that particular coronavirus health insurance policy that has been ideally launched by IRDA guidelines and is very much capable of fulfilling the overall purposes without any kind of query in people’s minds. Further, being clear about the sum insured and extra benefits associated with the whole process are vital so that people never get confused at any point in time. Difference Between Coronavirus Health Insurance And Regular Policy The coronavirus may be a newly discovered disease, but all the rest of the health insurance policies will also help in providing the coronavirus health insurance cover because it will be very much beneficial for the people. So this particular point is indicating that if the people have purchased any particular health insurance policy right before testing positive for any disease, then medical expenses incurred on the treatment will be entirely covered under it. Coronavirus is not a pre-existing ailment which is the main reason that it will also be covered as a very basic component of the hospital as if expenses under a particular health insurance plan which will include the inpatient hospital on costs, diagnostic testing charges, ICU charges, and several other kinds of related things. Conclusion: Hence, it is very much important for people to be clear about the inclusions and exclusions of the coronavirus health insurance policy so that there is no problem at any point in time and people can make the right decisions with their life. Understanding the fundamental differences of the terms is another very important thing to be taken into consideration by the people. Apart from this, depending upon companies like Care Insurance is the best available choice which the people can make so that they can access the top-notch quality insurance plans without any kind of errors. Read Also: How To Know If Your Health Insurance Covers Visits The Chiropractor Self-employed Health Insurance: Best Types for Every Freelancer

E-Cigarettes: How They Effect On Your Oral Health

Smoking is a trend that comes and goes with decades. Sometimes in history is was a class distinction and in some other times, it was only a practice of criminals and drug addicts. But, what is smoking? Smoking refers to the process or burning a substance and breathing the smoke to be tasted and also absorbed into the bloodstream. Many different substances can be smoked, mostly leaves of plants. The most common plant to be smoked is tobacco. It can be found in many different presentations and with different additives for flavor or fruit scented. After discovering the damaging effects of the combustion of tobacco in our lungs, many people and institutions have devoted their efforts to ban the consumption of cigars and cigarettes. It was the combination of higher life expectancy rates and the popularization of tobacco consumption that gave rise to studies and research of their negative effect on lungs and their direct relation to lung cancer. Read also: The Disturbing Trend Of Multiple Chronic Medical Conditions Once the studies showed that the combustion of tobacco created tart and tar was the main toxic element when smoking, the effort was deviated to eliminating the intake of toxic tar into the system. Longer filters, water filters, and many more devices were then created to achieve this goal. And following the creation of these items, the electronic cigarettes offer smokers the possibility of enjoying nicotine without the negative side effects of tar. Electronic Cigarettes, How Do They Work Electronic cigarettes are battery-operated devices, they can look like a pen, and some others have new designs that may look like cigars or cigarettes. These devices convert liquid nicotine into a vapor or mist that the user – smoker- inhales. Since what the user is inhaling, is not smoke, the community of supporters has decided to call themselves vapers. With these e-cigarettes, there is no fire and therefore no ashes and smoke to be inhaled. E-cigarettes are offered to the public as a healthy alternative to tobacco cigarettes. They started being sold in 2003, and now, multiple houses offer different kinds of electronic cigarettes to suit different audiences and moods. Are They Safe The research on electronic cigarettes is not thorough yet. Many laboratories are carrying out diverse tests to examine the effect of the use of electronic cigarettes over time. Apparently, the absence of fumes makes them already a lot healthier than smoking a regular cigar. However, this does not mean they are completely exempt from doing any harm. Any substance is dangerous when it is excessively consumed, even water! Studies have shown that nicotine present is not associated with the traditional danger of smoking. It was the tar that was to blame. In the case of nicotine vapor, it is still necessary to carry out more extensive research to assess the long-term effect it could have on the human body. Nicotine And Oral Health Nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, and this means that the flow of blood is reduced because of the consumption of nicotine. After consuming the tobacco e-liquid and without sufficient blood flow, the gums in your mouth could be affected and be left without the nutrients and oxygen they need to stay healthy. This can cause gum recession and gum death through the death of the tissue. It is also important to point out that gum disease may be harder to diagnose when inhaling tobacco vapor. This is due to the same fact explained earlier, the vasoconstriction created by the nicotine reduces blood flow through the gums, and therefore when you brush you don't bleed anymore, or maybe the bleeding is drastically reduced, but the original causes of the gum disease are still there. Read also: The Relationship Between Oral Health And General Health Because of the same effect, your mouth will also find harder to produce saliva. This can cause some other minor issues. Eating, for example, could be affected because of the missing saliva, since saliva is an important element in the digestive process. Another issue derived from not producing enough saliva is bad breath. Saliva stops bacteria from forming inside your mouth, and without it, bacteria can reproduce quickly and give you terrible breath. The recommendation would be to stay alert to the symptoms of gums disease even if you notice that you have stopped bleeding for a while. It is always good to remember that you should not take this article as the replacement of a visit to the doctor. A health professional would always be the best option when it comes to assessing the health of your mouth. If you are thinking of switching from regular cigarettes to e-cigarettes, there will be an immediate improvement in your quality of life. The elimination of the toxic tar and smoke that was being inhaled is a real plus for your health but be concerned about other negative effects due to nicotine as highlighted in this article.

An Overview of Schizophrenia

Prevalence of schizophrenia

Risk factors