Hebephrenic Schizophrenia
2 out of the 5 main types of Schizophrenia
Hebephrenic schizophrenia is a common type of schizophrenia. Hebephrenic schizophrenics have disorganized behavior and thoughts without purpose and have short-lasting delusions and hallucinations.
The causes of hebephrenic schizophrenia are unknown. Yet, researchers believe that many agents play a role in causing hebephrenic schizophrenia to occur. Some factors are genetics, genes like DISC1, the chemistry and structure of the brain, life experiences, the age of their parents when the person was born, viral infection while in the womb, a family history of schizophrenia, maternal malnutrition, and severe stress during early life.
Some symptoms patients with hebephrenic schizophrenia will have and might develop later on in life are disorganized speech, disorganized behavior, delusions, hallucinations, and negative symptoms. When an individual has disorganized speech, patients can have a hard time maintaining a train of thought, say or make up random words, shift topics regularly, or have a setback in speaking. Some examples of disorganized speech are rhyming words randomly and repeating words over and over again. When someone is suffering from disorganized behavior, patients would not be able to do or control their daily actions, demeanor, and behaviors. According to Yvette Brazier, "This type of symptom can also involve excessive movements, unusual actions, freezing in place, or not responding to instructions or communication. There may also be unprovoked agitation or sexual behavior in public." During delusions symptoms, patients might have strong-untrue beliefs. For instance, they might believe they are a famous person, or they have a pet unicorn. Another sign of schizophrenia is hallucinations, the patient's five senses and their ability to know what's genuine is deceived. For instance, they can smell food they do not like or feel uncomfortable all the time. While having negative symptoms, patients lack behaviors found in non-schizophrenic patients, and they would not do daily routine tasks. For instance, someone might avoid eye contact while speaking or be unable to do proper personal hygiene.
There is no cure for hebephrenic schizophrenia, the main types of treatments you can get are hospitalization, medications, psychotherapy, skills training, and electro-convulsive therapy. Hospitalization is an excellent type of treatment for hebephrenic schizophrenia because it can help them get the help they need. They can receive the proper attention and medication they need to get better and recover from their mental illness. Medications are also a great type of treatment for hebephrenic schizophrenia. They can help a person reduce their hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, disordered thinking, adjust the balance of chemicals in the brain, prevent a recurrence of symptoms, and prevent or aid a person's mood and demeanor. For instance, some medications that treat hebephrenic schizophrenia patients are first and second-generation antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and anti-anxiety medications. First-generation antipsychotics are older treatments used on schizophrenia patients to target the dopamine system in the brain. Some examples of first-generation antipsychotics are chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, haloperidol, thiothixene, and trifluoperazine. Second-generation antipsychotics, on the other hand, are newer treatments used on schizophrenia patients to target and affect other neurotransmitter systems. Some examples of second-generation antipsychotics are aripiprazole, clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, and ziprasidone. Psychotherapy is a type of treatment for hebephrenic schizophrenia that allows someone to talk to someone to help them deal with their mental illness and get tips with their symptoms and emotions. The common types of psychotherapy for hebephrenic schizophrenia are cognitive behavioral therapy, supportive psychotherapy, and cognitive enhancement therapy. Skills training is also a type of treatment that benefits patients with hebephrenic schizophrenia with social, life lessons, and daily functions. For instance, they help patients get jobs or brush their teeth. Another type of treatment for hebephrenic schizophrenia is electro-convulsive therapy. According to Arlin Cuncic, electro-convulsive therapy is " sending an electric current through the brain to provoke a neurochemical release..."