Dementia Praecox: Definition, Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Dementia praecox is an unusual term in today's world of psychology. You may read it in older novels or hear an elderly person refer to it. What's interesting is that dementia praecox isn't what most people think of as dementia at all! Instead, it's an entirely different diagnosis with different symptoms and treatments.

What Is The Definition Of Dementia Praecox?

The term "dementia praecox" was initially used as a psychiatric diagnosis for people who appeared to have dementia before they were old. Also known as "precocious madness," the term indicated that the patient had dementia prematurely.

History Of Dementia Praecox

Benedict Augustin Morel first used a French term meaning dementia praecox as early as 1852. Later, psychiatry professor Arnold Pick first used the word "dementia praecox" in 1891 when writing a report on a young patient with a psychotic disorder. Later, Emil Kraepelin used the term in the textbook description, and the concept became well-known.

Source: commons.wikimedia.org

In Kraepelin's view, all psychiatric conditions could be classified as either manic-depressive illness or dementia praecox. The first included all mood disorders, while the second included all diseases related to cognitive functioning.

Those disorders under the umbrella of dementia praecox included paranoid, catatonic, and hebephrenic psychosis. These forms were included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders until the DSM-5 was published in 2013.

Current Use

While most may not be familiar with dementia praecox, most have likely heard of the newer term that replaced it. The condition once known as dementia praecox is now labeled as schizophrenia, a time that was only suggested as an alternate term for dementia praecox in 1918. The two words were used interchangeably until 1952 when the first Diagnostic and Statistical Manual was published.

Now, the term dementia praecox is rarely used by psychiatrists or patients. The term schizophrenia is the accepted term for the disorder once known as dementia praecox.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Dementia Praecox

No one knows the exact cause of schizophrenia. Research over time has not singled out a specific gene of reason, although a combination of genetic mutations may make it more likely. Scientists have identified several risk factors more common for people with schizophrenia.

You may be at greater risk of schizophrenia if:

• Your parent or sibling has it: your chance of experiencing its symptoms increases by 10%.
• Both parents have it: your chance goes up by 40%.
• If you have an identical twin who has it: your chances go up to 50%.
• You were exposed to a specific viral infection before birth.
• Your mother was malnourished during her pregnancy with you.
• You took psychoactive drugs like meth or LSD.

How Is Your Brain Different If You Have Schizophrenia?

Scientists have found that people who experience symptoms of schizophrenia have differences in their brain structure. The ventricles, empty spaces in the brain, are more prominent in people with schizophrenia. The medial temporal lobes, crucial to memory, are smaller in people with the disease.

In one study, the brains of people with schizophrenia and patients with mood disorders were examined after their deaths. The brains of people with schizophrenia were lighter by 6%. The parahippocampal cortices were thinner by 11%. People with schizophrenia also had larger ventricles. The lateral ventricles were 19% larger, and the temporal horn cross-sections were 97% larger. Although some brain changes were similar to Alzheimer's, they were less severe than in Alzheimer's.

Brain chemistry also plays a part. Neurotransmitters are chemical substances the nervous system uses to send messages to nerve, muscle, and gland cells. If neurotransmitters are not in balance, they may cause schizophrenia symptoms. The two primary neurotransmitters involved with schizophrenia are dopamine and glutamine, although others may also be affected.

As the brain develops, there are more chances for the changes associated with schizophrenia to happen. The two critical times for brain development that could affect this outcome may be before birth and during puberty. If a person has risk factors for schizophrenia and brain differences, they may have psychotic symptoms during or after puberty.

Symptoms

Schizophrenia symptoms usually show up between the ages of 16 and 30, although even young children have been occasionally diagnosed with the disorder. The symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into three main categories.

Positive Symptoms

The positive symptoms refer to those people with schizophrenia experience, which people without schizophrenia do not. These are the symptoms related to their inability to discern what is real. They may have hallucinations, which can be visual, auditory, or related to any of the senses.

Delusions, or false beliefs, are common for people with schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia may have unusual thought patterns known as thought disorders because they are dysfunctional ways of thinking. They may also display agitated physical movements.

Negative Symptoms

The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are emotions and behaviors that people without schizophrenia have but people with schizophrenia don't. Reduced facial expressions or changes in tone of voice, called flat affect, are common among people with schizophrenia. They may also be unable to feel pleasure in their daily lives. They may not be capable of beginning or continuing activities. They may speak very little.

Cognitive Symptoms

People with schizophrenia may not be able to use practical cognitive skills like others. They may have trouble understanding information and making decisions. They may find it challenging to pay attention to certain situations. It's usually tough for them to learn something new and use that information immediately.

Diagnosis

Before a doctor can diagnose schizophrenia, they need to rule out other causes of the symptoms. They typically give a complete physical examination. They may do tests to rule out other illnesses and a drug screen to rule out substance abuse or alcoholism.

A psychiatrist evaluates the patient's mental status. The psychiatrist asks the patient questions about their symptoms. They get information from the patient or their family members about their family history and personal experiences. They observe the patient's appearance, noticing how they respond to questions. They watch for signs that the person may be violent or suicidal.

The doctor will compare all this information with the DSM-5 to see if the symptoms match the criteria for a diagnosis of schizophrenia. If so, the doctor will typically explain his diagnosis and create a treatment plan for the patient.

Treatment

There is no cure for schizophrenia at this point. However, several treatments can effectively manage and diminish the disorder's symptoms. A psychiatrist is usually in charge of the treatment, but other professionals may be involved, too, including a psychologist, a psychiatric nurse, a social worker, and a case manager.

Medications

Content Warning: Please be advised the below content might mention topics that include prescription medication—the information found in the article is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have.

The medications used most often for people with schizophrenia are antipsychotics. These medications influence the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine and help relieve the symptoms.

First-generation antipsychotics are used less often these days. These drugs, such as haloperidol and perphenazine, often cause tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder that may not be reversible. Some of the newer antipsychotics that have fewer side effects include:

• Abilify
• Saphris
• Results
• Vraylar
• Clozaril
• Fanapt
• Latuda
• Zyprexa
• Invega
• Seroquel
• Risperdal
• Geodon

Along with antipsychotics for positive symptoms of schizophrenia, psychiatrists often prescribe other medications to help with different facets of the disorder. These include antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications.

The most important thing to remember if you or a loved one has schizophrenia is that you need to talk to your psychiatrist before changing the way you take your medication. Stopping suddenly can be both mentally and physically risky. You can ask your doctor what to do if you miss a dose, but it's best to do everything you can to take your medications consistently and as directed.

If your loved one is taking medications for schizophrenia, be supportive. That doesn't mean nagging or making them feel bad because they must take such drugs. Instead, they need a caring supporter who encourages them to follow their treatment plan to live the best life possible.

Therapy

Individual psychotherapy can help people with schizophrenia work on changing their dysfunctional thought patterns. They can learn to cope with stress. The therapist can help them learn to recognize when they are headed for relapse and devise a plan to avoid it or minimize its effects.

People with schizophrenia may need social skills training to improve their communication and social skills. They may need help engaging in daily activities. They may need help from a vocational rehabilitation program or a sheltered workshop if they can work.

Family therapy can help families of people with schizophrenia. In this type of therapy, families get information about schizophrenia and learn ways to cope with the disorder as a family and as individuals.

If you or a loved one is concerned about symptoms that appear similar to schizophrenia, you can talk to a counselor for help in deciding what to do next. Licensed counselors are available at BetterHelp.com to help you understand what is involved with this diagnosis, help you or your loved one manage it, or cope with other mental health challenges.

If you're unsure about approach therapy, online therapy effeeffectively addresses health concerns such as schizophrenia. A study published in the peer-reviewed journal Clinical Schizophrenia & Related Psychoses found that telehealth services were beneficial in a therapeutic setting. Specifically, the authors noted that 90% of patients who used mental health services were inclined to use online resources over traditional resources due to their convenience and flexibility. One phone-based telemedicine system that connected patients with clinicians saw a 60% reduction in schizophrenia-related hospitalizations over one year.

Online therapy can provide many benefits, especially if you cannot attend face-to-face treatment or have no adequate local resources. Online therapists are highly qualified and uniquely trained to provide care through phone calls, video conferences, and live messaging systems. There are many therapists available to help you find your way. Additionally, because therapists usually conduct sessions from their own homes and don't need to pay for a building, you may find that online therapy is more affordable than traditional therapy.

Other Measures

When symptoms of schizophrenia are at their worst, the patient may need to be hospitalized. This is sometimes important to ensure they're safe and their needs are met. For adults who aren't helped by medications, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) may be an option. ECT is beneficial for people with schizophrenia and depression together.

Is There Hope?

In the early 1900s, when Kraepelin first used the term dementia praecox, he believed that the disease was a severe, rapidly-progressing disease from which no one could recover. He softened on that view over time, but the fact remains that people with the condition then known as dementia praecox rarely recover.

However, there is still hope. The hope is not that the disease will disappear. Instead, the disease's symptoms will be diminished enough that the person with schizophrenia can live a decent life, functioning well in their daily activities, working as they can, and finding enjoyment often.

"Jamie does an excellent job of creating the space I need to work through the mess both inside my mind and in my environment and helps put names and labels to my emotions, actions, and reactions. Very beneficial and understanding. She helps hold me accountable in my day-to-day living when I need it and allows space when I don't. Thank you, Jamie."

"It was evident after one session how valuable Justin was to me. I could immediately get in better spirits, open up as I've never done so before, and feel a level of comfort that made counseling not feel so scary or overwhelming. Justin has a calming tone and presence and helps put your mind at ease. I would 10/10 recommend him to anyone and everyone I know!"