Research on Schizophrenia

As the character in our film opening suffered from schizophrenia, I decided to research the effects and symptoms of the illness. I did this because it would help more with the way i want the character to act and to make it clearer to the audience the illness they're suffering from. 

The way of researching schizophrenia was by typing it in on google, looking at its effects and treatments of the illness. 

Research i found about the effects of Schizophrenia is that "Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that causes a range of different psychological symptoms. These include:

• hallucinations - hearing or seeing things that do not exist, and
• delusions - believing in things that are untrue.

Hallucinations and delusions are often referred to as psychotic symptoms or symptoms of psychosis. Psychosis is when somebody is unable to distinguish between reality and their imagination.

The exact cause of schizophrenia is unknown. However, most experts believe that the condition is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors." (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/schizophrenia/Pages/Introduction.aspx, 24.03.10) 

This research helped with how Abbi could act out her character without being offensive to people who do suffer from the illness who may be watching the film opening, the way that Abbi acts out her character, without being over the top or offensive would help with the way that the audience feel closer to her and sympathise with her due to her illness.

I found out from doing research on the treatment of schizophrenia that most cases of the illness is controlled by anti psychotic medicines, this was good to know as it was what i was able to look further into and put onto the pill box that Abbi's character throws on the floor once discovering that its empty. 

The main medicine i focused on was Resperidone, which is taken orally by a pill, it is a one of the treatments for schizophrenia. Knowing this i was able to write onto the pill box,  "Resperidone. Anti psychotic medication. Two tables to be taken every hour with food." The final pill box looked really effective as it resembled a real-life pill box, as it didn't have the illness plastered all over the label like our first pill box did.