Feb 20, 2006 10:09
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by persistent defects in the perception or the expression of reality. A person experiencing untreated schizophrenia typically demonstrates disorganized thinking, and may also experience delusions or auditory hallucinations. Although the disorder primarily affects cognition, it can also contribute to chronic problems with behavior or emotions. Due to the many possible combinations of symptoms, it is difficult to say whether it is in fact a single psychiatric disorder; and Eugen Bleuler deliberately called the disease "the schizophrenias" (plural) when he coined the present name.
The term "schizophrenia" translates roughly as "shattered mind," and comes from the Greek σχίζω (schizo, "to split" or "to divide") and φρήν (phrēn, "mind"). Despite its etymology, schizophrenia is not synonymous with dissociative identity disorder, also known as multiple personality disorder or "split personality"; in popular culture the two are often confused. Although schizophrenia often leads to social or occupational dysfunction, there is little association of the illness with a predisposition toward aggressive behavior.
Characteristic symptoms: Two or more of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period (or less, if successfully treated)
Note: Only one Criterion A symptom is required if hallucinations consist of hearing one voice participating in a running commentary of the patient's actions or of hearing two or more voices conversing with each other
im having fun these days. i am insane. i have a shattered mind. yay for hallucinating. yay for seeing things. i kept hearing things yesterday. this is fun, this is fun, this is fun. my music has become increasingly more erratic and broken. its great. im having fun, im having fun, imhavingagoodtime. i am sane. i am normal. i am perfect. i am bored. i am ridiculous. i dont need help. i am perfect. i dont remember typing the word ridiculous. but i guess i did.