What is schizophrenia? | Right Decisions

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Schizophrenia
What is schizophrenia?

Please update your RDS mobile app to version 4.7.1

We are pleased to advise that deep linking capability, enabling users to directly download individual mobile toolkits, has now been released on the RDS mobile app. When you install the update, you will see that each toolkit has a small QR code icon the header area beside the search icon – see screenshot below. Clicking on this icon will open up a window with a full-size QR code and the alternative of a short URL for sharing with users. Instructions are provided.

You may need to actively install the update to install RDS app version 4.7.1 to see this improvement. Installing this update is also strongly recommended to get the full benefits of the new contingency arrangements – specifically, that if the RDS website should fail, you will still be able to download new mobile app toolkits.

To check your current RDS version, click on the three dots bottom right of the RDS app screen. This takes you to a “More” page where you will see the version number. To install latest updates:

On iPhones – go to the Apple store, click on your profile icon top right, scroll down to see the apps waiting to be updated and update the RDS app.

On Android phones – these can vary, but try going to the Google Play store, click on your profile icon top right, click on “Manage apps and device”, select and update the RDS app.

Please get in touch with ann.wales3@nhs.scot with any questions.

Schizophrenia is a long-term mental health condition that causes a range of psychological symptoms, including:

hallucinations – hearing or seeing things that do not exist
delusions – unusual beliefs not based on reality that often contradict what is known to be true
muddled thoughts based on hallucinations or delusions
changes in behaviour.

Doctors often describe schizophrenia as a psychotic illness. This means sometimes a person may not be able to distinguish their own thoughts and ideas from reality.

If you have a history of schizophrenia, it is important to tell your healthcare professional, so that you can get information and advice about the risk of relapse in pregnancy and after you give birth.

You may benefit from additional support from a specialist perinatal mental health service or other mental health professional.

Your healthcare professional will work with you and other professionals to develop a care plan to meet your needs.

If a close family member has a history of schizophrenia, it is important that you tell your healthcare professional, so that you get information and advice about your own mental health during pregnancy and after you give birth.