an odd article I just found

[thejunipertree]

at: http://www.mental-health-today.com/sphra/schizophrenia.htm


Schizophrenia and Nicotine
The most common form of substance use disorder in people with schizophrenia is nicotine dependence due to smoking. While the prevalence of smoking in the U.S. population is about 25 to 30 percent, the prevalence among people with schizophrenia is approximately three times as high. Research has shown that the relationship between smoking and schizophrenia is complex. Although people with schizophrenia may smoke to self medicate their symptoms, smoking has been found to interfere with the response to antipsychotic drugs. Several studies have found that schizophrenia patients who smoke need higher doses of antipsychotic medication. Quitting smoking may be especially difficult for people with schizophrenia, because the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal may cause a temporary worsening of schizophrenia symptoms. However, smoking cessation strategies that include nicotine replacement methods may be effective. Doctors should carefully monitor medication dosage and response when patients with schizophrenia either start or stop smoking.

Comments

oh my god

[madamewoselle.livejournal.com]

This is really weird Tara, but I was just thinking about this tonight and your entry totally jarred me. I've known about this for a while, having seen it enough. My dad's father is a chain smoker and suffers from schizophrenia, and same with his sister and daughter. My good friend just had a schizophrenic bout and I've noticed lately that her chain smoking has gotten really bad. That's the first clue. But as long as you're not hearing voices in your head telling you to do things, you're not telling bus drivers that you're homeless and don't know where you are, and you're not talking about the drug cartel hovering over the hospital in helicopters dropping hay bales full of syringes upon the populace of Pottsville, you just smoke a lot. ;)

Re: oh my god

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

Actually, no. I've already been diagnosed a few years ago as having schizophrenia. I just thought the smoking link was interesting, given how much I smoke. ;)

Re: oh my god

[madamewoselle.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, you have it too? A lot of my relatives have it and it's always been interesting to see what transpires...it's weird about the nicotine addiction though, how it's common in a lot of people with it.

Re: oh my god

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

Oh wow, you have it too?

Yeah, I was diagnosed schizophrenic with hypo-manic episodes a few years back (though I lean more towards the idea that I'm actually schizoaffective, which is basically schizophrenia combined with Bi Polar Disorder). The story of my diagnosis is actually kind of funny. If I get time tomorrow, I'll post it for you. :)

[digichrist.livejournal.com]

hey! you gonna post/email those dreams of yours? You've got my interest piqued now!!!

grrrr ;)

[mrbadluck.livejournal.com]

damn thast makes me want another cigarette im back to filterless some people cut back i just want more dammit!

[meetzemonsta.livejournal.com]

hey! you gonna post/email those dreams of yours? You've got my interest piqued now!!!

ooof, sorry.
I haven't had much of a breather all weekend. Everything's calmed down to a dull roar, so I'm going to try and get at least one of them written up right now.