Word parts
What it means
A serious brain disorder that usually begins in the late teens to early thirties. Positive symptoms are added experiences, such as hallucinationhuh-loo-sih-NAY-shunHearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting something that is not really there.Full entry , delusions and disorganized speech. Negative symptoms are things that are lost, such as motivation, pleasure, emotion in the face and speech. It is treated with antipsychotic drugs, therapy and support.
For the nurse
Build trust with short, honest, calm talks. Do not argue with a delusion or agree with it; respond to the feeling behind it. Ask about command hallucinations, which can tell the person to harm someone. Watch for drug side effects such as stiffness, restlessness and weight gain, and support taking the drug as prescribed.
Remember it
"Split mind" means thinking split from reality, not a split personality.
At a glance
| Spanish | esquizofrenia |
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Related terms
hallucination
Hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling or tasting something that is not really there.
psychosis
A mental state in which a person loses contact with reality.
olanzapine
A second-generation antipsychotic drug used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
quetiapine
A second-generation antipsychotic drug used for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and, with other drugs, depression.
mental illness
A health condition that changes a person's thinking, mood or behavior and causes distress or problems in daily life.