The drugs used to treat schizophrenia, which have been used for many years, are now known to work by blocking excess dopamine. Stress may be a factor in the development of schizophrenia in a susceptible person or may influence the course of the illness once present. Other factors being studied include viral infections and maternal malnutrition during a critical period of pregnancy with a vulnerable child. Bizarre delusions Prominent hallucinations 2. Work, social relations, and personal hygiene below pre-episode levels 3.
Negative symptoms describe apathy and social withdrawal.
However, odd or eccentric behavior such as speaking to the spirit of a deceased person or joining a religious cult may reflect differences in cultural values or systems of belief rather than symptoms of schizophrenia. Testing for drug use, a physical and neurological exam, and observation for a period of 6 months can differentiate between schizophrenia and other conditions. Treatment With the advent of medication and new forms of rehabilitation, people with schizophrenia can usually live with families or in community settings instead of living in psychiatric institutions for extended periods of time. People with schizophrenia differ in their need for assistance in daily activities of dressing, grooming, and supervision. Antipsychotic medication and education of families about caring for family members with schizophrenia help keep these people out of psychiatric institutions.