Mental Health: Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disorder, or group of disorders, that affects the chemical balance of the brain, and in some cases the structure of the brain. Schizophrenia is unrelated to what some people call a “split personality”.
Brain function by PET scan in person with schizophrenia.
Brain function by PET scan in healthy brain.
Diagnosis:
Schizophrenia involves at least two of the following symptoms (although other disorders or conditions can also account for these symptoms), each present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period:
Jumping from one subject to another and saying things that don’t make sense.
False beliefs or thoughts that no one believes or understands; for example, believing others are always talking about you.
Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that others do not.
No interest or feelings about anything.
Unable to complete everyday tasks, such as getting dressed.
Schizophrenia can be a debilitating disease. Medication therapy makes dramatic improvements for a significant percentage of people who follow physician’s treatment exactly as prescribed.
TPC Adult Mental Health Services
Or call our Crisis Line at 359-6699 (in the Amarillo area)
or toll-free at 1-800-692-4039
