Schizophrenia and Visual Hallucinations (Reaction post)

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https://www.tiktok.com/@randomfacts4u.__/video/7145166965626227974?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7146615854787839493

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In the last post, we saw how:

  • It is possible that family dynamics may play a role in the evolution of schizophrenia.
  • Psychosis is a symptom of schizophrenia and can be seen in other conditions while schizophrenia may present with different symptoms.
  • Treatment for psychosis depends on the cause while that of schizophrenia is a combination of drug and talk therapy.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sorry.goose/video/7152639000832904494?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7146615854787839493

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Welcome to Medic Vibes, where we discuss mental health disorders and make sense of them. Dr Ebingo Kigigha is a medical doctor (aspiring psychiatrist) and creative person (illustration and music). This has been our routine for three consecutive months. This month will be dedicated to Schizophrenia. In the first month, we discussed Depression, and in the subsequent month, anxiety. We just finished with Bipolar affective disorder. We are done looking at research work done in Nigeria on schizophrenia.

In this post, we are looking at a Tik Tok. To learn more just keep scrolling down. You can also skip to the key point of the post if you which or go to the conclusion to get the summary.


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Diagnosis of schizophrenia


The Diagnosis and statistical manual have some criteria that help with prognosticating. It doesn’t matter if there are positive symptoms, particularly hallucinations and delusions before a diagnosis is made of schizophrenia. Patients according to tot the criteria have to have 2 of the 5 criteria in criteria A. Criteria B has to be met in the presence of impaired functioning. The symptoms have to be persistent for half a year.


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Schizophrenia and Visual Hallucinations


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A visual hallucination is the sight of objects or situations that are non-existent as if they were existent. These hallucinations are seen by different practitioners in medicine but in this post, we are more concerned about those seen in schizophrenia ad in psychiatry. Visual hallucinations also are in the field of psychiatry so much that once they are seen they make for a good reason for the psychiatrist to be consulted.

In this post, we are going to look at the cause of visual hallucination in psychosis and we will talk bout the process through which this happens. The treatment of any hallucination is usually based on the diagnosis. The diagnosis of this condition must be made so that quick treatment can start taking place.

Causes of Visual hallucination

There are many inferences on what might be the reason for a visual hallucination they are the psychophysiology, the psychobiochemical, and the Psychodynamic.

None of these causes has been able to explain visual hallucination but there might be a final common pathway for all these causes. Manford and Andermann explained that the mechanism through which visual hallucinations take place is first through irritation. This irritation is thought to take place in the primary visual cortex of the brain. This causes basic elementary hallucinations. Then irritations in the visual association areas also cause more complex hallucinations.

This is confirmed with EEG readings of the brain and through direct stimulus. These pathologists that affect the brain can then cause a phenomenon known as cortical release. This cortical release is responsible for the hallucinations too.

Even the normal visual input is thought to be controlled by inhibition, so some things would have shown up to a sight that is being inhibited but this irritation leads to the loss of these inhibitions.

The irritation causes deafferented neurons that no longer have normal biochemical responses. This makes for increased excitability. It is similar to the feeling those who have been amputated have where they feel the extremities that are no longer there.

When there is a loss of visual neuronal stimulation it can lead to sensory deprivation and this deprivation has been thought o be the cause of hallucinations. Some studies show that if you blindfold people for 5 days they had a 5-fold increase in visual hallucinations.

According to the DSM, IV hallucination is seen as a major criterion for psychotic disorder. It is also a criterion for many psychiatric disorders...

In psychosis, the hallucinations may be visual, auditory, tactile or in taste and smell. The auditory hallucinations make up the majority.

Visual hallucinations have been reported in 16%–72% of patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder

Of patients who are schizophrenic about 16 to 72% of them have been noted to have visual hallucinations. The severity of the hallucinations has also been noted to be much higher in schizophrenia.

The more severe the case of schizophrenia the more severe the hallucinations also.

Hallucination in schizophrenia usually involves those with family members, is centred around religion or has to do with animals.

The reaction to the hallucinations may be that of fear, pleasantness or nonchalance to the visions. They are usually very colourful. Humans in the hallucinations are usually normal-sized people


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Treatment


Hospitalisation

If you have a friend or family member, involuntary hospitalization may be an issue to them. This is when a person who doesn’t want to go to the hospital is admitted.

Here are some details about rights and due process that you should be aware of.

It is important to keep people safe especially when they cannot secure themselves. That is why almost every country has laws to protect those who need to be protected, especially when they cannot protect themselves.

The reason why people can be hospitalized involuntarily is that those who have schizophrenia are usually not aware of what is real or not, they may have auditory and visual hallucinations, and they me also have a strong belief in things that are not true in addition to having disorganized thoughts.

Because the patient is usually not self-aware they are also not knowledgeable of their need to be admitted. At this point, they could harm others or themselves. About 5.6% of patients with mental health problems commit suicide.

When a patient starts to take drugs for schizophrenia the clinical features start to reduce but the medications do not cure schizophrenia as they may have remissions. When they start taking medications it is important to make sure they finish them.


Questions


  • What did you learn about Schizophrenia?

Conclusion


  • There are different criteria for the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
  • Visual hallucinations are very common in the psychosis seen in schizophrenia.
  • Some patients may need to be hospitalised involuntarily.

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References




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