Dissociative identity disorder and schizophrenia are often confused and used interchangeably, but they are very different.  

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In previous posts, we have discussed schizophrenia and some of its variations, but are you at risk for developing it? Today we’ll define schizophrenia and talk about some possible risk factors and signs. 

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Many of us have been there: We had a bad day or a tough week, so we pour ourselves a glass of wine or open a bottle of beer. However, for people suffering from depression or anxiety, self-medicating can become a big problem. 

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People with schizophrenia suffer from severe psychosis, and usually have hallucinations and delusions. Schizophrenia is a complex mental illness whose cause is still unknown. Some doctors believe it’s a condition where the brain cannot correctly process normal inputs. Others believe a person’s environment may trigger it, such as an infection while in utero. Still others believe that genetic factors likely play a role. 

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• Suicide occurs almost twice as often as murder.
• Every year, about 32,000 people in the U.S. die by suicide.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death for people aged 15 to 24…
• …And the second leading cause of death for people aged 25 to 34.
• 90% of people who die by suicide are suffering from depression, other mental health disorders (like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and anxiety) and/or abuse drugs and alcohol.
• A gun is the most common method for committing suicide. Suffocation and poison are also very common methods.
• In recent years, suicide rates have increased for females aged 10 to 19 and for males aged 15 to 19.
• Suicide rates have also increased for adults older than 65.
• Women attempt suicide more often than men, but men are 4 times more likely to die from a suicide attempt.
• In 2007, suicide was the tenth leading cause of death in the U.S., with 34,598 occurrences.
• The overall rate in 2007 was 11.3 suicide deaths per 100,000 people.
• For every suicide attempt that results in death, an estimated 11 more make failed attempts.
• Nearly five times as many males as females aged 15 to 19 died by suicide in 2007.
• Just less than six times as many males as females aged 20 to 24 died by suicide in 2007.
• Older Americans are disproportionately more likely to die by suicide. Of every 100,000 people aged 65 and older, 14.3 died by suicide in 2007. This is higher than the national average for those in the general population.
• Non-Hispanic White men aged 85 or older had an even higher rate, with 47 suicide deaths per 100,000.
• Of every 100,000 people in each of the following ethnic/racial groups, the following number died by suicide in 2007:
• American Indian and Alaska Natives have some of the highest rates of suicide, at 14.3 per 100,000.
• Non-Hispanic Whites follow close behind, at 13.5 per 100,000.
• Hispanics and African Americans have some of the lowest rates, at 6.0 per 100,000 and 5.1 per 100,000, respectively.
 

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Suicide is the clinical term describing a person intentionally taking his or her own life. Even though suicide is preventable, it has become a major public health problem, and it must be addressed. 

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Methamphetamine (also known as meth, speed, crank, ice, or crystal) is a powerful central nervous system stimulant. It has a high potential for abuse, dependence and addiction. During the “high” of meth, the user is overcome with feelings of euphoria, power and energy. As the drug’s effects fade, however, the user feels very tired and often depressed. Unfortunately, this compounds the likelihood of addiction: The user wants to avoid that “crashing” feeling afterwards, which makes them more likely to use meth for longer periods— sometimes for days or even weeks at a time. 

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• Marijuana is the most frequently used illegal drug in the United States.
• Nearly 69 million Americans over the age of 12 have tried marijuana at least once.
• One survey showed that among teens between the ages of 12 and 17, the average age of first experimenting with marijuana was 14 years old.
• About 4% of American adults smoke pot at least once a year.
• Roughly 1% of adults abuse pot.
• One in 300 adults have a marijuana addiction.
• As many as 30% of today’s teenagers smoke marijuana.
• According to United Nations statistics, 141 million people around the world take marijuana in some form or another.
• Normal coordination reflexes are lessened 41% after having smoked just 1 joint and 63% after having smoked 2 joints.
• Marijuana use interferes with brain functions, and it has been linked to other mental health problems in young people, such as depression, anxiety and conduct disorders.
• Recent research suggests possible associations between marijuana use and schizophrenia, along with other psychotic disorders.
• In 2007, approximately 5 percent of high school seniors used marijuana on a daily basis.
• When comparing marijuana and alcohol use, marijuana is more strongly associated with juvenile crime.
• From 1992 to 2006, the potency of marijuana increased by 175 percent.
 

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In a 2008 survey, 25.8 million Americans aged 12 and older had abused marijuana at least once in the year prior to being surveyed. The reason for the common use of this drug might be the mistaken belief (held by many) that marijuana is safe and non-addicting. That simply is not true. While there are legitimate medical uses for marijuana, misuse of this drug can have detrimental effects on your health and well-being. 

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People often come into our office suffering from what they describe as “racing thoughts.” More troublesome than just having a lot on your mind, racing thoughts are difficult to control. At times they can remain in the background of a person’s consciousness. At other times they can be overwhelming, crowding out all other thought. 

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Schizophrenia is a complex illness that develops slowly over months or even years. It typically begins before the age of 45, affecting about 1 percent of the world’s population. It occurs about equally in men and women; however, for reasons which are not understood, it seems to begin in men at an earlier age than in women.  

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