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Smoking tobacco 'may ease' some schizophrenia symptoms
Scotsman.com ^ | 1 Mar 2005 | LYNDSAY MOSS

Posted on 03/01/2005 10:49:08 PM PST by kingattax

THE effects of nicotine could help relieve the symptoms of schizophrenia in some sufferers, researchers suggested today.

The study, in Granada in Spain, looked at the theory that smoking is a form of "self-medication" for people with schizophrenia. They found that for mildly dependent smokers, nicotine could have a beneficial effect on their symptoms.

But the researchers also found that people with a high nicotine dependence were more likely to be readmitted to hospital and have a poor outcome to their condition.

The results of the study, published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, noted that worldwide, schizophrenia was linked to a higher rate of smoking than was seen in the general population or among people with other severe types of mental illness.

There have long been conflicting theories about whether smoking has any beneficial effect on the symptoms of schizophrenia, which include delusions, hallucinations and depression.

The researchers looked at 250 patients in two community mental health centres - 69 per cent of whom were current smokers.

They found that some symptoms were less frequent in mildly dependent smokers compared to non-smokers or highly dependent smokers.

But for other symptoms - such as depression - they found no link with smoking at any level.

Those patients who were highly dependent on nicotine had more hospital admissions compared with those who did not smoke or who were only mildly dependent.

The researchers concluded: "If there is any beneficial effect of nicotine, it may be restricted to mildly dependent smokers, and particularly to those on low dosages of typical anti-psychotics.

"Such a benefit appears to affect only certain symptoms.

"Our study does not support the self-medication hypothesis for highly dependent smokers, who have poorer outcomes despite their heavy smoking."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bigschizophrenia; mentalhealth; nicotine; pufflist; tobacco
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1 posted on 03/01/2005 10:49:09 PM PST by kingattax
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To: SheLion

PING


2 posted on 03/01/2005 10:49:43 PM PST by kingattax
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To: kingattax

I thought this was common knowledge.


3 posted on 03/01/2005 10:53:34 PM PST by bahblahbah
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To: kingattax

All I know is, since I started smoking again 10 years ago, I've stopped saying -

Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm schizophrenic, and so am I.


4 posted on 03/01/2005 10:54:01 PM PST by Theresawithanh (2005! My resolution: FReep even MORE this year!!!)
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To: Theresawithanh

LOL


5 posted on 03/01/2005 10:57:23 PM PST by kingattax
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To: kingattax

Now I have a new a new excuse. :D Its medicine!


6 posted on 03/01/2005 10:57:49 PM PST by Echo Talon (http://echotalon.blogspot.com JUST UPDATED)
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To: kingattax

Society has gotten weirder and weirder since smoking bans began.


7 posted on 03/01/2005 11:05:56 PM PST by JennysCool (I was so naive as a kid I used to sneak behind the barn and do nothing. -Johnny Carson)
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To: kingattax

I`ve known a couple skitzos who were chain smokers, didn`t seem to help them. One girl I use to live next to use to yell out her window at a phantom person all day. Everyone use to tell her to shut up. On the other hand, like someone was telling me, maybe they aren`t crazy buy really do see people, GHOSTS! Boooooooooooooo!!! "I see dead people"


8 posted on 03/01/2005 11:06:54 PM PST by Imaverygooddriver (I`m a very good driver and I approve this message.)
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To: kingattax

It eases mine.
No it doesn't!
Yes it does! Go away!
Me, go away? You're the intruder, get the hell out of here!
Yo momma raised a fool! There's only room for one of us in this skull...
SMACK!
POW!
BAM!

Cr*p. Even contemplating this parody made me light another one...

No it didn't!
Shut up...


9 posted on 03/01/2005 11:13:27 PM PST by djf
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To: Imaverygooddriver

I lived downstairs from a schizophrenic in Spokane. She used to toss her lit cigs out her window into the yard. She also went off her meds one time, and ended up dancing around outside nekkid, going out in the middle of a busy street, prancing around in the snow. The manager of the place wanted me to keep an eye on her, and I said no way! She moved out a few days later.


10 posted on 03/01/2005 11:18:20 PM PST by Theresawithanh (2005! My resolution: FReep even MORE this year!!!)
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To: kingattax

Somebody do the world a favor and send Maureen Dowd a pack of Marlboros.


11 posted on 03/01/2005 11:19:57 PM PST by Slings and Arrows (Am Yisrael Chai!)
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To: kingattax
Anything that can help this terrible disease is good discussion. Perhaps anedotal, but I know someone with schizophrenia that quit smoking some years ago. They were much worse off when they were smoking.

I don't place any real significance between their condition when they smoked and not, just seems to be at odds with the article. The new medicines seem to be a major stride forward but a new and very good doctor seems to have made the major difference.

12 posted on 03/01/2005 11:21:22 PM PST by BJungNan
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To: Theresawithanh; All
I think the posts to this thread are the funniest today. All of you win the "wittiest" prize! :)

And in honor of this thread, Sibyl and I are going to get a snack.

The people, the people, the people!

13 posted on 03/01/2005 11:24:47 PM PST by CAluvdubya (From the RED part of California)
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To: CAluvdubya

"And in honor of this thread, Sibyl and I are going to get a snack."

LOL, but WHICH Sybil?


14 posted on 03/01/2005 11:26:12 PM PST by Theresawithanh (2005! My resolution: FReep even MORE this year!!!)
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To: Imaverygooddriver
Everyone use to tell her to shut up.

That to me is one of the worst things you can do when dealing with someone that has schizophrenia. It is not normal behavior to yell at people, telling them to shut up. You are using abnormal behavior to deal with abnormal behavior.

Not sure anything would have shut up the women you mention, but making her the subject of public scorn sure is not going to help.

I've found when talking to the people that are a little bit weird, so to speak, the more you can bring them towards reality in your conversations with them the more they will move in the direction of reality.

That is after all what they would like to have, normalcy. Give it to them by acting normal.

15 posted on 03/01/2005 11:27:24 PM PST by BJungNan
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To: kingattax

http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/sz.overview.htm

In case anyone would like more info on what it is...it ISN'T "split personality."


16 posted on 03/01/2005 11:28:40 PM PST by Indie (Ignorance of the truth is no excuse for stupidity.)
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To: Slings and Arrows

17 posted on 03/01/2005 11:32:30 PM PST by kingattax
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To: Theresawithanh
LOL, but WHICH Sybil?

Now that just depends on my "mood". Right now, since I'm not asleep, I it must be the Sybil that goes out at night dancing in the "purty" clothes!

18 posted on 03/01/2005 11:42:33 PM PST by CAluvdubya (From the RED part of California)
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To: Indie

It's not always split personality.

But to say it is never split personality is way too general and broad a statement.


19 posted on 03/01/2005 11:42:49 PM PST by djf
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To: kingattax

:-D


20 posted on 03/02/2005 12:22:36 AM PST by Slings and Arrows (Am Yisrael Chai!)
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