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Schizophrenia
Interactive
Acute Schizophrenia
Acute schizophrenia is when a previously healthy person, generally a young adult, shows increasingly odd behaviour over a fairly short period of time, maybe just a few weeks. They may have several attacks during their lifetime and some will be able to lead relatively normal lives in between attacks.
About a quarter of the people diagnosed with schizophrenia will have one episode of illness, make a good recovery and have no further problems. Another 25% will develop a long-term chronic illness with no periods of remission. The remaining 50% of those diagnosed will have a long-term illness that comes and goes with periods of remission and relapse.
The risk of relapse is significantly improved if medication is continued for at least six months after an acute episode.
Factors that may trigger an episode of schizophrenia include stressful life events, and the use of illegal drugs such as cannabis.
'Positive' symptoms
The most common symptoms of acute schizophrenia are:
auditory hallucinations (hearing sounds, voices or music)
delusions of persecution
suspiciousness
flat mood
thoughts spoken aloud.
These symptoms are called the positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Not all patients with acute schizophrenia will experience all of these symptoms.
Treatment
Although not a cure, studies show antipsychotic medicines improve the symptoms of schizophrenia and help prevent relapse. There are many different antipsychotic medicines available, such as:
chlorpromazine
haloperidol
trifluoperazine
olanzapine
risperidone
clozapine.
Therapy
Research suggests a type of psychological therapy known as cognitive behavioural therapy may help to reduce relapse rates. Further studies are required in this area.
There is limited evidence that giving people with schizophrenia help and training in social skills may help prevent relapses.
