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Esquizofrenia - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Esquizofrenia de aparición en la niñez

Definición:

La esquizofrenia es un trastorno mental complejo que dificulta:

  • Establecer la diferencia entre experiencias reales e irreales.
  • Pensar de manera lógica.
  • Tener respuestas emocionales normales.
  • Comportarse normalmente en situaciones sociales.

Causas:

La esquizofrenia es una enfermedad compleja. Los expertos en salud mental no están seguros de cuál es su causa. Sin embargo, los factores genéticos parecen jugar un papel.

  • Ciertos eventos ambientales pueden desencadenar la esquizofrenia en personas que están genéticamente en riesgo de padecerla.
  • Usted es más propenso a presentar esquizofrenia si tiene un familiar con esta enfermedad.

La esquizofrenia afecta por igual a hombres y mujeres. Generalmente comienza en los años de adolescencia o a principios de la adultez, pero puede empezar más tarde en la vida. Tiende a empezar más tarde en las mujeres y es más leve.

La esquizofrenia de aparición en la niñez comienza después de la edad de 5 años. La esquizofrenia en la niñez es poco común y puede ser difícil diferenciarla de otros trastornos del desarrollo en la infancia, como el autismo.

  • Reviewed last on: 2/7/2010
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; David B. Merrill, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Leucht S, Corves C, Arbter D, Engel RR, Li C, Davis JM. Second-generation versus first-generation antipsychotic drugs for schizophrenia: a meta-analysis. Lancet. 2009;373:31-41. Epub 2008 Dec 6.

Freudenreich O, Weiss AP, Goff DC. Psychosis and schizophrenia. In: Stern TA, Rosenbaum JF, Fava M, Biederman J, Rauch SL, eds. Massachusetts General Hospital Comprehensive Clinical Psychiatry. 1st ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2008:chap 28.

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