Schizophrenia1

Schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness characterized by a variety of symptoms, including loss of contact with reality, bizarre behavior, disorganized thinking and speech, decreased emotional expressiveness, and social withdrawal. This illness affects those parts of the mind that are fundamental to a person's sense of self. It changes a person's perception of reality, through hallucinations and delusions. This mental illness is diagnosed in about one person in every 100. Schizophrenia has been categorized into …

…people" and deserve a chance to cope with their disorders to the best of their abilities (Anonymous, 1996a). References Anonymous (1996a). Schizophrenia: knowledge for practice. Nursing Times, 92(30), 1-4. Anonymous (1996b). Schizophrenia: the role of the nurse. Nursing Times, 92(31), 5-8. Droogan, J. & Bannigan, K. (1997). A review of psychosocial family interventions for schizophrenia. Nursing Times, 93(26), 46-47. Fontaine, K. L. & Fletcher, J. S. (1999). Schizophrenic disorders. Essentials of mental health nursing (4th ed., pp. 281-309). Redwood City, CA: Addison-Wesley.