UH-54 Literature Review of Schizophrenia and its less reported effects

Schizophrenia is a complex and severe chronic mental disorder that affects how people behave, think, and feel. Symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, unusual motor behavior, disorganized speech and thinking. Research has shown schizophrenia to also impact other body systems such as the immune, endocrine, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. Effects on ach of these systems can contribute to an increase in morbidness and mortality rates. This disorder can be influenced by genetics, brain chemistry imbalances, and environmental factors, all of which cannot be completely prevented but moderately delayed. Due to the complexity of Schizophrenia, it is more often than not a misunderstood mental health disorder. Although it is thought to just affect hallucinations, studies have shown schizophrenia can cause a multitude of other symptoms. Our review of the literature highlights these additional symptoms, as well as common misconceptions about the condition, which have been shown to contribute to misdiagnoses and medication side effects. Further, it brings awareness to the fact that individuals with schizophrenia have varied experiences, underscoring the need for additional research. In order to gain a more comprehensive understanding of this often stigmatized condition, there is a need to to document a broader range of cases.