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."
PING
I thought this was common knowledge.
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.
LOL
Now I have a new a new excuse. :D Its medicine!
Society has gotten weirder and weirder since smoking bans began.
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"
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...
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.
Somebody do the world a favor and send Maureen Dowd a pack of Marlboros.
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.
And in honor of this thread, Sibyl and I are going to get a snack.
The people, the people, the people!
"And in honor of this thread, Sibyl and I are going to get a snack."
LOL, but WHICH Sybil?
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.
http://www.schizophrenia.com/family/sz.overview.htm
In case anyone would like more info on what it is...it ISN'T "split personality."
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!
It's not always split personality.
But to say it is never split personality is way too general and broad a statement.
:-D
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