*23 May 2011* *VIZAG* : At any point of time, the Government Institute of Mental Health (GIMH) has 350-400 in-patients. Among them, at least 300 are schizophrenic. Among the out-patients suffering from various kinds of neurosis and psychosis, 60-70 per cent of psychosis cases are again those of schizophrenia.
One to two per cent of the population suffers from this chronic ailment and experts on the occasion of World Schizophrenia Day (May 24) say that early detection, proper medication, treatment and rehabilitation are keys to better or total recovery from the disease. Schizophrenia, which usually affects men in the age group of 15-25 years and women in the age group of 25-35 years, is caused due to a functional impairment of neuro-hormones like dopamine and serotonin. The disease has a biological base or genetic predisposition. “It happens due to a split of the functional component of thought and personality. Multiple genes are responsible for causing changes in the areas of the brain and making one prone to schizophrenia. Environmental and social stress and trauma can trigger schizophrenia in those who are already genetically predisposed. Also, abuse of hallucinogenic drugs like cannabis, bhang and LSD can also lead to schizophrenia-like psychosis,” said Dr G. Prasad Rao, director (schizophrenia and psychopharmacology division), Asha Hospital, Rehabilitation Centre and Schizophrenia Clinic. He added that there’s a 40 per cent risk of monozygotic or identical twins getting schizophrenia if one of them is schizophrenic and seven per cent chance if the twins are fraternal. Dr S.R.R.Y. Srinivas, assistant professor of GIMH and secretary of Hyderabad Psychiatry Society, said, “If pruning of needless neurons doesn’t happen at adolescence or if the necessary neurons develop abnormally in the biochemical and structural level, chances of developing such neurological disorders go up. Early symptoms include abnormal changes in behaviour and sleep patterns, speaking and smiling to oneself, withdrawal and depression, incoherent and disjointed thoughts and inability to differentiate the real from the unreal. The patient also tends to use neologism or coins new words.” Elaborating on the other symptoms of schizophrenia, Dr Rao said, “Symptoms include hallucinations and delusions, a patient also hears voices all around criticising and abusing him and strongly suspect that someone is trying to persecute or harm him. Most patients are suicidal and around 10 per cent die under the influence of commanding hallucinations and depression.” However, unlike earlier days, facilities are better and about 20-30 types of low cost anti-psychotic drugs are available. Continuous research in this field and in psychopharmacology is also on. The support system provided by caregivers or family members in India is good. With early detection, proper treatment and continuous medication, many patients can fully recover and most can live a socio-economically productive life if properly rehabilitated. http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/hyderabad/rehabilitation-key-better-life-all-schizophrenics-684 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
