Today I read about Schizophrenia Spectrum and other Psychotic Disorders. The symptoms for Schizophrenia include disorganized speech, hallucinations, delusions, catatonic behavior, avolition, and diminished emotional expression. Cognitive impairments are also possible and include attention and learning issues as well as problems with executive function. These individuals often have issues with social cognitions as well and many times experience other disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Schizophrenia is a chronic condition. Other psychotic disorders are more time limited and include brief psychotic disorder, schizophreniform, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and shared psychotic disorder. Schizophrenia has been associated with an excess of dopamine. Onset usually occurs in early adulthood and affects roughly 1 in 300 people worldwide. These individuals generally have a hard time holding down a job as their condition is a life-long struggle. It's heartbreaking.
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