- About Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a disorder thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. The symptoms of Schizophrenia may interfere with a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others.
Positive and negative symptoms of Schizophrenia
Some of the most commonly reported symptoms of Schizophrenia are:
- Hallucinations sensing things that others do not sense
- Delusions false beliefs that may become fixed despite evidence to the contrary
- Altered emotions having feelings that don’t seem right for what is going on, or having no feelings at all
- Lack of motivation or desire to do the things you used to enjoy doing
- Difficulty staying focused and completing tasks
- Disorganized thinking, speaking, or behavior
Schizophrenia and brain chemistry
Two neurotransmitters that are needed for brain function are dopamine and serotonin, which play a crucial role in emotional health.
Many scientists believe that too much dopamine in certain parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions. Sometimes these symptoms are referred to as the “positive symptoms” of Schizophrenia.
Too little dopamine in other parts of the brain can cause symptoms such as a lack of emotion, lack of energy, and lack of motivation. These symptoms are often called the “negative symptoms” of Schizophrenia.
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