Both schizophrenia and autism are considered to be neurological disorders resulting from atypical neural development, occurring due to a variety of causes. Both these disorders have a genetic predisposition that may be due to environmental factors. However, there are a few basic differences between the two disease conditions.

Autism is also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a spectrum of abnormal behaviour. They include persistent deficits in social communication and interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests or activities.

Signs of autism in babies

By 6 months - No social smiles or other warm, joyful expressions; limited to no eye contact
By 9 months - No sharing of vocal sounds
By 12 months - No babbling or use of gestures to communicate; not responding to one s name when called
By 16 months - No use of words
By 24 months - No meaningful or two-word phrases
Signs of autism at any age

Avoids eye contact and wants to be alone
Finds it difficult to understand other people s feelings
Speaks very less or has delayed language development
Echolalia - Repeats words or phrases
Cannot accept change in routine or surroundings
Performs repetitive behaviours like flapping or rocking
Has restricted interests and hobbies
Reacts unusually intense to sounds, smells, tastes, lights, colours etc.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric disorder that begins during late adolescence and early adulthood. It is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavioural changes that cause social and occupational dysfunctions.

Signs of Schizophrenia

The symptoms of schizophrenia are usually observed between ages 16 and 30, such as e.g. delusions, hallucinations, thought disorders, movement disorders etc.
Delusions are false beliefs of the patient that may take many forms like delusions of persecution or grandeur. You may feel somebody is controlling you or may think you have extraordinary powers and abilities.
Hallucinations are when the patient hears voices more than seeing, feeling, tasting or smelling random things, which are not actually there.
Thought disorders are when the person jumps from one subject to another for no logical reason.
Some negative symptoms i.e. these are symptoms which are normally present in a healthy individual, but are absent in a schizophrenic patient. E.g. absence of facial expressions, lack of motivation etc.
Cognitive symptoms affect the individual s thought process. They can be positive or negative based on their expression. E.g. poor  executive functioning  which deals with the ability to understand information and make decisions using them, finding it difficult to focus etc.
Although both Autsim spectrum disorder and schizophrenia are interlinked in their causes and neurological background, the symptoms for each disorder are different. 
Consult your physician if you happen to observe any of these symptoms in your loved ones.

Autism & Schizophrenia - What Is The Difference?

Multiple sclerosis refers to disabling disease of the central nervous system, where the body s immune system eats away the protective layer sheathing the nerve fibres and disrupts communication between the brain and the rest of your body. 

Often, multiple sclerosis is associated with impaired cognitive functioning. Cognitive changes have direct functional consequences on your quality of life, ranging from occupational activities to professional career and personal life. In addition to it, a complex interplay between cognitive impairment and mental disorders like anxiety and depression, which negatively affect the normal course of life.

Rehabilitation Psychology works through various techniques and aims to ease the impact of cognitive changes on everyday life rather than simply defining their severity and nature.

Rehabilitation Psychology Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

The goal of Psychological Rehabilitation programs is to improve and preserve mental and physical abilities, as well as help patients adapt to changes in functioning. 

A team of specialists   consisting of a psychologist, physician, physiotherapist, speech-language pathologist, and an occupational therapist   works together in order to offer you well-rounded support and care. These specialists have years of experience and expertise in the management of symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

The rehabilitation program helps you address the following problems related to multiple sclerosis  

Spasticity

Fatigue

Sleep disorders

Chronic pain

Walking difficulties

Bladder and bowel issues

Changes in movement

Difficulty swallowing food

Mood disorders, like depression

Speech problems

Cognitive changes

Anxiety and uncertainty about the disorder

How Rehabilitation Programs Can be Helpful?

Since multiple sclerosis affects each person differently, Rehabilitation Psychology provides tailor-made treatment to patients.

The team of specialists work closely with the patients to evaluate their health needs, track progress, address pain, and teach them strategies essential to cope with the chronic disease.

Occupational therapy is directed toward patients with mobility problems. The therapy helps you with daily tasks, such as dressing, cooking, and learning ways to manage personal hygiene. 

Rehabilitation strategies for speech-language problems help maximize your abilities to cope with cognitive functions.

Multiple sclerosis is a lifelong condition and can be challenging as it progresses. Many people require constant support, care and motivation to get through the tough phase. Rehabilitation Psychology is just the way to combat the psychological effects of multiple sclerosis. You should communicate your concerns to a doctor, and learn all you can about the disease. 



 Rehabilitation Psychology In Management Of Multiple Sclerosis!

Diagnosing dementia can be more difficult than you can imagine. Medically, the patient needs to have at least two areas of mental functionality impaired to an extent where it interferes with their everyday life. However, diagnosis is just the beginning as treating dementia can be even more challenging. Here is a look at some of the treatment options available for dementia patients.

 Treatment for Dementia
There is often no cure for most forms of dementia. Treatment relies on the management of the condition, to ensure that the progression can be impeded. With proper treatment, patients can live a relatively normal life for a number of years.

Cholinesterase inhibitors- These medications are used for the treatment of Alzheimer s disease. They are chemical agents that boost the memory and judgment of the patient. The same is also an effective medication for those suffering from Parkinson s disease and Lewy body dementia.
Therapy- Making small changes to some aspects of life of the patient can often yield good results. For instance, clearing the clutter and noise in the house can be an effective way of helping dementia patients deal with their condition. Similarly, creating a safe environment at home with little chance of severe accidents, will ensure the safety of the patient.
Stress in caregivers of dementia patients
Dementia patients need to be cared for, ideally by a close family member such as a spouse. However, these caregivers undergo a lot of stress while providing support to the patient. For instance, Alzheimer s patients often do not recognize their caregiver who may also be their spouse. Here are some burdens that caregivers have to deal with.

Anger- The sense of fury towards the patient can be strong after years of providing care. They may also be frustrated with the fact that the affected person is unable to perform simple everyday jobs, such as brushing their teeth or tying their shoelaces.
Anxiety- A sense of hopelessness regarding the future is common. It is also the fear of what new challenges the next day might bring.
Depression- Seeing their loved one s mental state deteriorating with each passing day can be difficult to handle and pushes some caregivers into depression.
With such continuous emotional and physical stress, caregivers often fall sick themselves. This is why it is necessary to maintain a bright outlook and remember that a dementia patient can only get well if they have the full support of the caregiver. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Treating Dementia - Things You Should Know!

Epilepsy is a brain triggered disorder that can result in the affected person having seizures or convulsions of the body. Such convulsions last about a few minutes and the person undergoing epileptic seizure might be unaware of what s happening to him/her during those brief moments. They may recover and appear disoriented for a few minutes more. 

Epilepsy can t be cured but is treated through medicines called anticonvulsant drugs.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder brought about due to unusual electrical activity in the brain
The person having the disorder can have episodes of seizures where there can be sudden involuntary movements of the person s whole body and shaking of the arms and legs lasting a few minutes
The condition can occur to anybody irrespective of age but children seem to suffer more from the condition following a head injury or emotional trauma
Electroencephalogram or EEG is the best way for the doctor to understand the exact nature of the disorder and this will help in the treatment.
Treatment through drugs is the most popular way of keeping the convulsions under check
Medically, if the patient goes without seizures for a few years under regular medication then there is every possibility the person may not suffer further convulsions
Apart from medication, dietary regulations have also been adopted by many physicians to treat the condition. Low carb and high protein items are advised as a way to reduce/stop the epileptic seizures
In some cases, the doctor might decide to conduct a surgery to remove the aberrant part of the brain to treat the individual for epilepsy
People with epilepsy have to take a lot of precautions in their daily routines to avoid getting seriously injured if they were to suffer a sudden attack of seizures
Driving and swimming are to be avoided by them
People standing around can help reduce the suffering by turning the person over to one side and offering a support to the head. Care can also be taken to remove any object that can cause injury to the person while having the convulsions.
Some doctors study the pattern of the seizures occurring and help in regulating them in such a manner that the person gets the convulsions only in the nights while asleep
This can limit the damage done to the person and can also help the person in going about normal routines
Parents must inform the school authorities if their children suffers from epilepsy so that they can provide first aid to such students immediately if episodes occur in school
Epilepsy is a brain-related disorder that can cause the person to go through involuntary shaking of the body and the limbs. It is usually treated with drugs.

Epilepsy - Common Facts About It!

Cerebral palsy is a neurologic condition that occurs in children, and is due to brain injury that develops before, during, or after childbirth. The condition presents with motor impairment, and therefore there is generalized physical and mental dysfunction. The brain continues to develop for the first two years of life, and so conditions like premature birth, asphyxia at birth, and postnatal meningitis and encephalitis.

The diagnosis could be trigged by the slow motor development, poor muscle tone, and delayed response of the baby. One of the main noticeable feature that becomes evident is the spasticity of the limbs. The child may not be able to voice it out, but pain is a significant disabling factor too. While doctors would advise that physical movement is required to keep the spasticity at bay, the pain keeps the child away from most activities. This further adds to the spasticity and worsening of the condition.

Pain control therefore assumes a significant role and the modes can range from physical therapy to pain killers to injections to surgery. The idea, in addition to pain control, is also to:

Improve range of motion
Improve motor response
Promote good motor development
Reduce and control contractures
Improve overall lifestyle
Improve muscle strength
Improve exercise tolerance
Reduce spasticity
Some of the non-medical ways to control pain are listed below. 

Of course, pain killers and injections are always used when immediate relief is required. A structured physical therapy program that includes medications and exercise is the best way to manage cerebral palsy pain. Though initially difficult, over a period of time, it improves range of motion and improves joint movement.

Acupuncture: Triggering specific points via needles is believed to stimulate the nerve endings and help in pain control
Alternating ice and heat therapy: This is also believed to improve pain control, blood circulation, and muscle movement.
Positioning in bed: A well-positioned child in bed may have less pain compared to another child who is not. Special equipment may be used also to keep the child in place, once the most comfortable situation is located.
Muscle massage: The affected muscles need to be massaged repeatedly so that blood flow improves, joint movement is better, and pain is controlled.
Botox is successfully used to pain control, as it paralyzes the specific muscles along with providing pain control.
Medications are used regularly, which are mainly anticholinergic and anti-spastic medications. They reduce stiffness, control pain, and help in pain control too.
Surgery is the last option and needs to be explored with the doctor.

Pain Management Of Spasticity With Cerebral Palsy!

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that leads to recurrent seizures. Seizures arise when electrical activity in the brain suddenly surges causing a temporary disturbance within the messaging systems located between the brain cells.

Epilepsy is more common in children below the age of two years and adults above the age of 65 years.

Seizure Types

Seizures are classified into two main categories depending on their area of impact. 

A focal seizure is one that affects only one part or area of the brain whereas a generalised seizure affects the whole brain. Further, both focal and generalised seizures have various sub-categories which are as follows-

Previous nomenclature- 

Partial Seizure

  Simple Partial Seizure
  Complex Partial Seizure
  Partial Seizure with Secondary Generalization

Generalized Seizure

  Absence Seizures
  Myoclonic Seizure
  Atonic Seizure
  Tonic Seizure
  Tonic-clonic Seizure
  Mixed Seizure
  Status Epilepticus

Latest nomenclature of seizure types:

Focal seizures-

  Focal aware seizures
  Focal impaired awareness seizures (previously called complex partial seizures)
. Bilateral tonic clonic seizures

Generalised onset seizures-

  Tonic clonic seizures.
  Atonic seizures (sometimes called drop attacks) and tonic seizure.
  Myoclonic seizures.
  Absence seizures.

Symptoms

The well know symptom of epilepsy is a convulsion/ fit, a few other symptoms include-

  Intermittent spells of fainting. When this happens the patient is likely to lose control of his/her bladder or bowel movements. Following this, the person is likely to suffer from extreme tiredness.
  Spells of a blackout with difficulty in remembering
  Becoming unresponsive to any instructions or questions asked during brief periods of time
  Bouts of continuous blinking without any known reason
  Inappropriate movements that keep on occurring
  Changes in sensory perceptions
  Sudden stiffness in the body

Reasons for Epilepsy

Messaging systems within the brain are responsible for every function that goes about in your body. A disruption to this system caused by defective electrical activity leads to epilepsy in a person. Many people inherit epilepsy while others may develop this condition as a result of-

  Head trauma sustained during an accident
  A stroke or a tumour that has affected the brain impairing its normal capabilities
  An injury to the brain before or during birth
  Associated with developmental issues
  Infections of the brain

Treatment for Epilepsy

Epilepsy in childhood can be treated by using medications and by adopting dietary changes in some cases. Medications for epilepsy mainly include-

  Anticonvulsants - Helps control seizures and manages the symptoms of epilepsy
  Medications for nerve pain - Reduce pain that is caused by the damaged nerves

These medications should be consumed as and when prescribed by the doctor. You must consult a paediatrician for this, as he/she will take your child s physical and mental in consideration before starting the treatment.

Seizures that occur in childhood may be benign. This means that it will not continue into one s adult life. Further, those children who have suffered from epilepsy in their childhood have been seen to have normal mental and intellectual development in their adulthood. However, some epilepsy syndromes in children can have a devastating effect on the child.

Seizure threshold is a term that is used to refer to the conditions that are important for the production of seizures. The threshold is lower for people who are more prone to having seizures whereas the threshold is higher for those who do not have a tendency to suffer from seizures.

A Complete Guide To Childhood Epilepsy!

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