An Overview of Schizophrenia

14 March 2016

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.

Lucia Patterson

Lucia Patterson is the woman behind TheLegalGuides, a blog solely focused on legal guides, tips, and advice. Lucia loves essay writing and blogs at EssayWritingGuides from her college days.

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5 Essential Nutrients For Maintaining Optimal Maternal Health

Is there anything more miraculous and joyful than carrying a piece of you for nine straight months? But pregnancy is certainly not a journey full of roses. From consuming the right diet to limiting exercise, there is so much to consider. But out of all, eating right during pregnancy is mega important. It is really vital for nurturing a healthy baby and mama. But with so many pregnancy nutrition rules, it can get kind of confusing and overwhelming fast! Well, guess what, here is a guide that will take you through the 5 essential nutrients every expecting mother should consume in the right amount. So, let’s get started… Prenatal Vitamins: What Are Those? In simple terms, prenatal vitamins refer to multivitamins for expecting mothers. In comparison to a usual multivitamin, the former has more nutrients that might make the pregnancy healthier. Usually, the medical professional assisting you will prescribe it, but if he doesn’t, you can always buy it from stores with a prescription. The human body uses minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients present in food to stay healthy and strong. At the time of pregnancy, as we all know, the mother passes down all necessary nutrients to her embryo. Thus, your body asks for more vitamins when you are pregnant. That is exactly the job of prenatal vitamins. Which Nutrients Are Most Important For A Perfect Maternal Health? Before you go bonkers, let’s break it down to the essential nutrients preggos really need more of. Here are 5 all-star vitamins and minerals to help maintain tip-top maternal health: The VIP Folate Alright, all you soon-to-be mamas, listen up. Folate (aka folic acid) should be topping your prenatal vitamin rockstar list. This essential B vitamin helps prevent major birth defects of the baby's brain and spine when taken before conception and in early pregnancy. We're talking about the next level vital for fetal development. Folate also helps produce new cells, so mama needs extra to accommodate a growing babe. Most docs recommend women start supplementing 400-800 mcg of folate at least a month before pregnancy. But hey, better late than never, if you're already pregnant, try to achieve optimal maternal health with a Specialist Obstetrician! Supercharged Iron Fun fact: A developing fetus needs lots of mineral iron to form their blood supply and other tissues. So, in turn, mama needs way more iron to share with baby! When you're expecting, your iron needs to jump by up to 50%. Unfortunately, the vitamin C in my OJ every morning doesn't cut it. Most mamas-to-be need an additional iron supplement of 30-60 mg on top of a balanced diet. Too little iron during pregnancy zaps your energy and can lead to stuff like anemia. No one wants that! So, rev up on iron-rich foods plus a prenatal vitamin to stay energized. The Calcium Extravaganza Did you know baby needs around 30 grams of calcium just to build their tiny growing skeleton? Well, they have to get that supply from somewhere! The calcium in Mama's body works overtime during pregnancy to help form the baby's bones and teeth. That's why pregnant women need around 1,000 mg of calcium per day. Goodbye, plain almond milk, hello, extra cheesy pizza! Jokes aside, ensure you get adequate calcium from dairy, leafy greens, supplements, or all of the above. Your wee one will thank you for strong bones. Omega-3s For Winning You've probably heard omega-3 fatty acids are clutch for heart and brain health. Well, it turns out they’re essential for a baby’s development, too. These healthy fats help build a baby’s nervous system and retinal tissues. They’re also linked to lower risks of preterm births and postpartum depression. That’s why experts recommend at least 250–300 mg of omega-3s like DHA daily for expecting mothers. Load up on fatty fish, nuts, and seeds - or just grab a fish oil supplement as an insurance policy to meet your levels. Consider omega-3s a must for both of your well-being. The Magical Magnesium Don't sleep on the mineral magnesium during pregnancy! It plays a role in so many vital stuff: bone growth, regulating blood pressure, aiding enzymes and metabolism, and muscle and nerve function. Oh, and helping build DNA and RNA. NBD! Unfortunately, the typical Western diet often lacks enough magnesium. Pregnant women need at least 350–400 mg daily from food and supplements. Get your fill from dark leafy greens, nuts, whole grains, yogurt, and more magnesium-rich sources. Your body and babe will thank you! Mamas, Take Care Of Your Mental Health Too… You are already doing so much, make sure to sit back and relax. Pregnancy might seem like a 9-month-long journey, but trust us when we say it passes in the blink of an eye. All those days will be missed by you later. So, make sure to take care of your mental health too. Surround yourself with positive people, listen to calm music, and avoid taking too much stress. Post-partum depression is inevitable, but you can always be cheerful in your approaches when the baby is growing inside you. Eat whatever satisfies your soul, but make sure that it doesn’t have a negative impact on your baby. Your emotional strength is responsible for your physical strength, too. So, ensure to keep both of them balanced, positive, and cherishing. Conclusion There you have it, mamas - the crème de la crème nutrients for staying healthy during pregnancy! Prioritizing these all-star vitamins and minerals ensures you and your growing baby get all the key building blocks you need. Consult your doctor and add any supplements needed for optimal levels. Your nutrient intake matters more than ever before – so eat well for two! With this, it's a wrap on this comprehensive guide. But you will get to know more if you want to. Keep reading my articles, as they have a lot of beneficial information for my readers. Also, if you find this article helpful, do not forget to share your comments below. Read Also: The Top 10 Best Foods To Eat In Early Pregnancy Meals That Matter: The Best Foods And The Ways They Make You Fit

Can a Mattress Cause Back Pain?

Unfortunately, back pain is common that we start treating it as a normal part of our daily life. However, back pain, as well as any other pain, should not be tolerated or ignored. Many people have problems with back pain at night or in the morning after they wake. What’s the cause of this? Is it your sleep position? Or maybe your mattress? Is Your Mattress The Cause of Your Back Pain? The first step in treating back pain is to identify its source. However, that’s not always as easy as it sounds. The pain can be caused or aggravated by multiple factors. Typically, factors that contribute to back pain the most are age, old injuries flaring up and an inactive lifestyle. Sometimes, jumping into a new exercise or activity can also cause back pain. In most cases, we are all aware of the factors mentioned above. However, there are also some factors that many people ignore or just overlook. For example, if you wake up every morning in pain, there is a huge possibility your mattress causes the pain. Sleep experts and mattress specialists, in fact, say that your bed should be your first suspect if you can’t sleep comfortably at night. After all, since we spend approximately one-third of our lives sleeping, we should be aware that mattresses wear off over time and require replacement. Also, your sleep habits change as you age, and what worked for you when you were young, may not suit your sleeping needs today. However, the good news is that if your mattress is at the root of the problem, you can quickly address it by getting a new one. With so many models out there, it may be rather hard to select a new bed. Fortunately, Counting Sheep can help you! Counting Sheep’s experts have spent years of researching different mattress types and people’s sleeping needs and created an unbiased mattress guide that will definitely help you make any mattress related decision with quickly and with ease. With their guide, you won’t have to worry about mattress related back pain anymore, and you will wake up every morning feeling refreshed and pain-free. How to Determine if My Mattress is Causing My Back Pain? Use the following checklist to determine whether your mattress is most likely the source of your pain and discomfort. Take notes where and when the pain appears: If it’s mattress related, it is generally muscular. Your bed is the one to blame if you wake up in the morning stiff and achy, but feel better as the day goes on. The pain is also relieved by stretching, yoga or light exercising. Symptoms are typically present to the middle back or lower back. Consider the age factor: If your mattress is more than seven years old, it will most likely cause back pain. Years of usage lead to wear and tear, and your body will definitely feel it. Also, keep in mind that your body changes as you age and that now you may have different sleep needs or preferences. Look for sagging spots: If your mattress is sagging, your spine won’t be properly aligned during sleep which will cause back pain. Your spine has to be in a neutral position, and not curving down. Listen to your body: If you feel lumps or springs poking you when lying down, there is a good chance your bed is contributing to your back pain. Check your bed after vacation: When you sleep somewhere else than your bed, you recognize right away if the mattress is saggy, lumpy or simply too hard. Since most of us keep our bed longer than we should, we are used to sleeping on a less-than-optimal surface. After a vacation, your mattress will feel a little less familiar than before, and this is the perfect time to conduct another evaluation test. Read Also: 12 Secret Methods Of Chi Machines Domination Bed Time Yoga To Sleep Well

Benefits of Buying Your E Juice in NZ Online

You might think out of everything, that your E juice in NZ is one thing you wouldn’t be able to buy online. After all, don’t you have to be able to taste it, try it out, and meet the staff in-store? While that might have been the case when E juices for your vape products first hit the market, it’s not so necessary now. Of course, many people still prefer to try before they buy, but the sheer detail in online descriptions can often be all it takes for you to know a certain E juice in NZ would be right for you. Over 2.14 billion people are expected to become digital shoppers by 2021, and we’ve included many reasons why you may become one of them when buying E juices below. Benefits Of Buying E Juice In NZ Is Illustrated Below There are several benefits of using the E-juice In NZ to make your life easier under critical circumstances. It can help you to achieve your goals in the best possible ways. It can help you to achieve your goals in a better way. The Cost: You may think it’s strange to think that buying your E juice online has the benefit of being more cost-effective, but it does. Shipping costs are more convenient and affordable than ever before, and you often get email deals that offer digital discounts when you enter them into the checkout process. Often, those same discounts are not available in physical stores. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t visit a physical location to get a bargain, but you often have more of an opportunity to save money when you browse through the various options on the E juice supplier’s website. You’re Anonymous: Do you remember how you used to hide your cigarette smoking from your parents when you were young? They may still not know you used to smoke cigarettes, or that you now transitioned to vaping. For whatever reason you want to remain anonymous, buying your E juice in NZ online can offer that much-desired anonymity. While it gets delivered with your name and address, your friends and family don’t have to see you walk into a store. You get to browse the website in the comfort of your own home, without the prospect of being caught out. You Get Premium Service: Did you know that non-perishable goods make up one of the largest percentages of online shopping sales? E juice sales could now be in that mix. People find it far more convenient to shop online, which is why businesses are improving their service in that area. When you head into an E liquids store in NZ, you are still going to get excellent service. The team are knowledgeable, the selection vast, and the products are quality as well. That doesn’t change. However, when you shop online, that service is enhanced. All products are separated by what they are, with a description so you can learn more about them. With E liquids, you then get to choose the nicotine dosage, find out more about the flavour, then pair those liquids with new vaping accessories, coils, or something else. The entire process is effortless, all before you check out and opt for delivery to your door. What’s more, if you thought were sacrificing that personable approach, then think again. As soon as you need help, a real human is on-hand to offer it. The only difference to the online service is that you don’t see the person providing you with assistance in person. Convenience: Even from the three points above, it’s clear to see that one of the most significant benefits of buying your E juice in NZ online is the convenience. Think about this scenario. You’re low on E juice, and wouldn’t mind getting a few packets of coils while you’re at it. You jump in your car, but then realize it’s low on fuel. You have to do a detour to the service station, fighting peak hour traffic and inconsiderate drivers along the way. Because the journey has taken so long, you now need to stop for a bite to eat to get back all that lost energy. By the time you finally get to the vape supplies store, you’re stressed, have already spent a fortune, and now have to find a park. But guess what? You see a park, have no change for the parking meter and get a parking ticket. You’ve now spent a fortune, all because you chose to shop in-store. When you buy your supplies online, you are cutting out that whole inconvenient battle. We do encourage you to stop by vape supply stores when it’s convenient for you, but we’re also proud to offer an alternative method that may be more convenient for some of our customers. Conclusion: More and more people are choosing vaping products to help them quit smoking, but don’t have enough knowledge or information to start them on the right track. That’s why the internet is such a valuable tool. You can head to an E juice supplier website, learn everything you need to know, then buy the products you require for delivery to your door. It has never been easier than today to not only quit smoking but buy your products online that can help speed up the process. The benefits of buying your E juice online in NZ will surprise you. Read Also: Vaping: More Than Just A Fad Can Vaping Really Help You Kick Your Smoking Habit? Vaping In The Workplace: Legal Considerations Essential Logistics Terminology Every Entrepreneur Should Know

An Overview of Schizophrenia

Prevalence of schizophrenia

Risk factors