Schizophrenia is a group of mental disorders that involve abnormal thinking. Although the causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood, it is currently thought that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in developing the illness. Depending on the type of schizophrenia (see Types of Schizophrenia), symptoms may include the following:
A diminished ability to initiate and sustain planned activity
Speaking infrequently, even when forced to interact
Poor executive functioning (the ability to absorb and interpret information and make decisions based on that information)
An inability to stay focused
Problems with working memory (the ability to keep recently-learned information in mind and use it right away).
Although psychotherapy may be helpful for schizophrenia (see Psychosocial Therapy for Schizophrenics), medication is often essential to the treatment of schizophrenia. Zyprexa can help improve the symptoms of this condition and prevent relapses (worsening of schizophrenia); however, it is not a cure for schizophrenia.
(Click Zyprexa Uses for information on how Zyprexa works, to learn about other approved uses for this medication, and to find out if the drug is used for "off-label" purposes.)
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