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Dementia and schizophrenia have long been misidentified as the same thing. This could be because what we now call schizophrenia was originally called "dementia praecox" by an early 19th century scientist.
Dementia
Dementia is a disorder that interferes with social and intellectual abilities. The patient could suffer from symptoms such as memory loss and difficulty with motor functions.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia, a disease that disrupts the balance between emotion and thinking, is not as severe as dementia. It can cause hallucinations and social withdrawal.
Age
Schizophrenia typically develops during the adolescent or young adult stage. Dementia is more often diagnosed in older people.
Causes
Dementia can be caused by disorders such as Parkinson's disease, head trauma or substance abuse, while schizophrenia has not been connected to any other illness.
Treatment
Treatments for dementia typically help to alleviate symptoms such as aggression and delirium. The medications prescribed for schizophrenia help to ease paranoia and perceived "voices" in the head.
Source:
Mayo Clinic.com: Schizophrenia
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