MHM Magazine

Issue 4 | 2021 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | 9 MHM INTRODUCTION Medical Chronicles in partnership with Dr. Reddy’s recently hosted a webinar on schizophrenia presented by the President of the South African Society of Psychiatrists and head of the psychiatry department at The University of KwaZulu- Natal, Professor Bonga Chiliza. Professor Chiliza has been researching and working in the field of schizophrenia for over ten years. Professor Chiliza outlines the current knowledge and treatment of Schizophrenia and looks to the future, to a new and promising approach that may significantly improve the prognosis of those afflicted with this often- debilitating condition. WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT SCHIZOPHRENIA SYMPTOMS Schizophrenia is a chronic and neurological illness that presents with positive psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations. Among its wide range of manifestations, schizophrenia often causes people to hear voices that aren’t there, and to hold certain irrational beliefs or delusions, such as authorities are watching and planning to kill them.This can lead to an array of anxiety symptoms. At the same time, schizophrenia also presents with negative symptoms, which are usually the greatest cause of concern for families of those with the condition. Some of these include Presented by Professor Bonga Chiliza SCHIZOPHRENIA UPDATE — LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT