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Document Type

Research

Abstract

Characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, disorganized or catatonic behavior, schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that is estimated to have a lifetime risk of one percent (Liu et al., Allen 2002). Prevalence rates in different countries range from 0.2-2.0 percent with an average incidence rate of 28.1 per 100,000 remaining stable across a wide range of cultures, climates and ethnic groups (Thomas 2000). In the United States, at any given time there may be two to three million people who either have schizophrenia or are at risk of developing it (Allen 2002). The disease usually manifests itself in late adolescence or early adulthood, and has nearly equal rates of prevalence among women and men. Schizophrenia is a brain disease, not simply a psychological disorder. At autopsy, the schizophrenic brain weighs about five percent less than a normal brain, and the ventricles are noticeably enlarged. In fact, every brain region is affected by schizophrenia (ibid).

Publication Date

2005

Journal Title

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Volume

3

Issue

2

First Page

69

Last Page

61

Copyright

©2005 International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Included in

Public Health Commons

COinS
 
 

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