🟥 Chapter 20 – Module 19:🟦 Chapter 21 – Module 20:

 

 Schizophrenia (Full Easy Read + Training Section)

🧠 What is Schizophrenia?

 

Schizophrenia is a serious, long-term mental health condition.

 

It affects how a person:

 

🧠 Thinks

👀 Sees and hears things

💬 Communicates

🧍‍♂️ Behaves

 

➡️ It affects about 1 in 100 people worldwide.

 

🧩 Key Understanding

 

Schizophrenia mainly affects thinking and perception (psychosis).

 

👀 Main Symptoms (3 Types)

🔵 1. Positive Symptoms (Added Experiences)

 

These are things that are added to normal experience:

 

🎵 Hearing voices (hallucinations)

👀 Seeing things that are not there

💭 Delusions (false beliefs)

🗣️ Disorganised speech

⚫ 2. Negative Symptoms (Reduced Functioning)

 

These are things that are reduced or lost:

 

😐 Flat emotions

🧍‍♂️ Social withdrawal

⚡ Low motivation

🗨️ Speaking less

🟣 3. Cognitive Symptoms (Thinking Problems)

 

These affect thinking skills:

 

🧠 Poor memory

🧠 Difficulty concentrating

🧠 Problems planning or organising

🧠 When does it start?

Usually between ages 16–30

Often earlier in males than females

⚠️ Early warning signs (Prodromal phase)

 

Before full symptoms, people may show:

 

Withdrawing from others

Struggling at school or work

Odd thoughts or beliefs

Low motivation

🧬 Causes and Risk Factors

 

There is no single cause.

 

It is usually a mix of:

 

🧬 Genetics

Family history can increase risk

🌍 Environment

Trauma or stress

Substance use (especially strong cannabis)

Pregnancy or birth complications

🧠 Brain development

Differences in brain chemistry

Changes in how the brain processes information

🧠 Diagnosis

 

Doctors (usually psychiatrists) diagnose schizophrenia by:

 

Observing symptoms

Taking a full mental health history

Checking symptoms last 6 months or more

Ruling out other conditions

 

➡️ There is no blood test or scan to confirm it

 

💊 Treatment and Support

 

There is no cure, but treatment helps manage symptoms.

 

💊 Medication

Antipsychotics help reduce psychosis

🧠 Therapy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Talking therapies

🏠 Support

Community mental health teams

Supported housing

Family and peer support

🧍‍♂️ Impact on Daily Life

 

Schizophrenia can affect:

 

Work or education 💼

Relationships 👥

Self-care 🚿

Independence 🏠

 

➡️ Some people need long-term support