Coping with Schizophrenia and other psychosis related conditions

Overview

Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that involves a severe, chronic and disabling disturbance of the brain. With appropriate and early treatment people with schizophrenia can achieve a complete recovery. Some continue to experience chronic symptoms and disability. Though schizophrenia was once classified as a psychological disease, it is now classified as a brain disease. A primary characteristic of schizophrenia is the onset of psychotic symptoms.

In general, psychotic disorders’ causes can range from the substance abuse to strokes or traumatic brain injuries. There is no known single cause responsible for schizophrenia. It is believed that a chemical imbalance in the brain is an inherited factor necessary for schizophrenia to develop. However, it is likely that many factors-genetic, behavioral, environmental and medical-play a role in the development of this psychotic disorder.

This guide is designed to help you become more knowledgeable about schizophrenia in order to more effectively support people who suffer from schizophrenia and are trying to improve their mood, increase functionality, sociability, and enhance their ability to care for themselves.

There are 4 lessons within this guide that have been developed by Dr. Amit Baumel in collaboration with the Early Treatment Program (ETP) within North Shore LIJ, department of psychiatry. Most material was adapted from North Shore LIJ website, the ETP, psychosis101 website and NIMH (see sources at the end of the training).

For an introduction to the topic of schizophrenia, feel free to watch the following video: