Schizophrenia – The misunderstood illness.

(NC)—Mary was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2001 at the young age of 19. Frustrated by the fact that the first treatment she took caused her to gain almost 20 pounds within a few months, she was exhausted and unable to hold down a job.
Ostracized by her friends and much of her family, she went to her psychiatrist, desperate for a solution. Her psychiatrist suggested that she participate in a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of an experimental medication called ziprasidone and she was enthusiastic at the prospect of trying anything that might help.

Almost immediately after starting the new treatment ZELDOX™, Mary was able to lose the weight she had gained and feel more energized. She was able to go back to school, earn a diploma and obtain a steady job. In fact, many people asked her if she had found a new boyfriend since she had lost so much weight. Mary has now been taking this new treatment for the successful treatment and management of her schizophrenia for five years.

"Since I began taking ziprasidone, I can not only manage my symptoms, but I don't experience any of the side effects such as weight gain that was typical of the other medication I had taken. I have regained control of my life."

The facts about Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder characterized by symptoms such as disorganized thoughts, delusions, hallucinations, bizarre behaviour, lack of motivation and social withdrawal. People suffering from schizophrenia have difficulty performing tasks that require memory and sustained attention. The age of onset of schizophrenia typically occurs between 15-30 years, as it did in Mary's case.

Mary is one of the approximately 1% of the Canadian population who suffers from schizophrenia. While the exact cause of the illness remains unknown, changes in key brain functions, such as perception, emotions, and behaviour, indicate that the brain is the biological site of schizophrenia. Some researchers suspect neurotransmitters (the substances through which cells communicate) may be involved. There may be changes in dopamine, serotonin, or other neurotransmitters. The limbic system (an area of the brain involved with emotion), the thalamus (which coordinates outgoing messages), and several other brain regions may also be affected.

Schizophrenia has a profound effect on an individual's ability to function effectively in all aspects of life - self-care, family relationships, income, school, employment, housing, community and social life. The high rates of hospitalization among young and middle-aged men and women highlight the effect of schizophrenia on people who are in their most productive years.

- News Canada