Ludhiana, November 18
'Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that affects one’s thinking, emotions and behaviour. The patient seems to live in a distorted world and is usually unaware of his illness. The condition is rare before puberty and is most likely to start between the ages of 15 and 35 years. However, it is known to have occurred even in younger children.'

Making these observations in a lecture as a part of community health awareness programme here l, Dr Paramjeet Singh Khurana, Consultant Neuro-Psychiatrist and Drug De-Addiction Specialist at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, said schizophrenia was the most common form of psychosis and affected one in every 100 persons,which meant that nearly one crore Indians suffered from this disorder. It was now confirmed that this illness was a brain disorder rather than a purely psychological illness, which could last for a long time and be very disabling.

He informed that while the exact cause of this disorder was not known, it might be caused by a chemical defect in the brain. "Imbalance of neuro-transmitters glutamate and dopamine has been associated with the disorder. Some studies also show physical abnormalities in the brain structure of schizophrenics with enlargement of fluid-filled cavities (ventricles) in the interior of the brain and decreased size of certain brain regions."

There may also be a genetic basis to the illness, Dr Khurana commented, as children having a schizophrenic parent had a 10 per cent more chance of developing the disorder. Recent research suggested that the disorder resulted when neurons or nerve cells formed inappropriate connections during foetal development. These errors might lie dormant until puberty, when changes in the brain, that occurred normally during this period, interacted adversely with the faulty connections.

"The onset of the disorder is not sudden, so it can be easily ignored in the initial stages or be confused with some other illness. However, there are some common diagnostic symptoms for the disorder which include loss of interest in activities and social withdrawal, delusions or holding beliefs that were not only untrue, but seemed quite bizarre, hallucinations, disinterest in personal hygiene, thought disorder and inability to express emotions."

Dr Khurana pointed out that the treatment approach to schizophrenia was long and multi-pronged. It comprised not only medical intervention, but also psychological, behavioural and social rehabilitation. A number of drugs were available, which ought to be administered under strict medical supervision. Sometimes a number of different drugs would need to be tried before the best 'fit' was found.

Unfortunately, schizophrenia could recur, he cautioned, and would need extended therapy. At the same time, the victims ran the risk of side effects of the medication. However, in the larger interest of the patients, the risk of side effects needed to be weighed against the risk of the damaging effects of the illness on a person's life. Psychotherapy sessions were also helpful in the treatment along with drugs, while in many cases family counselling sessions had proved to be of immense benefit for the family to deal better with the individual and his or her problem.

Ludhiana, November 18
Hosts BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh road, made a clean sweep winning all the titles which were at stake in the XVth Ludhiana Sahodaya Schools Complex Basketball Championship here today.

In the girls’ u-14 final, BCM School proved too good for CFC School. They outplayed CFC School 19-8 to win the title. The third place was bagged by BCM School, Dugri.

In the boys’ final (u-14), BCM School cagers routed KVM School 32-11 to emerge champions while DAV Public School secured the third postition.

In the girls’ u-19 final, BCM School prevailed over Guru Nanak Public School, Mullanpur, 21-18 to lift the title while Guru Nanak Public School, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana had to be content with the third spot.

In the boys u-19 final, BCM School overcame a spirited challenge from Green Land Senior Secondary School whom they beat 35-28. DAV Public School, Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar, secured the third spot.

Mr Balkar Singh Brar, honorary secretary, Punjab Handball Association, was the chief guest at the prize distribution function. Mr S.D. Kalia, Principal of the host school, congratulated the winners.

Ludhiana, November 18
The SAI, Chandigarh, and Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, began their campaign with victories in the 10th Mohinder Partap Singh Grewal Memorial Women Hockey Tournament, which started at the Prithipal Singh Astroturf Stadium of Punjab Agricultural University here today.

The SAI drubbed PEPSU-XI 7-2, while the RCF fought hard to oust North-Eastern Railway, Gorakhpur, 2-1.

In the inaugural match of the tournament, the SAI surged ahead in the eighth minute through a filed goal by Reena. Two minutes later, Sapna sounded the board to make it 2-0. Reena again struck in the 22nd minute to increase the lead 3-0. After changing ends, Vanita scored a field goal to make it 4-0.

PEPSU-XI's Shikha reduced the margin in the 52nd minute.

SAI players consolidated the lead through Reena in the 57th minute.

They further increased the lead (6-1) through Sapna, while Parminder Kaur of PEPSU-XI converted a penalty corner to read it 6-2.

With just two minutes to go for the long whistle, SAI girls added another goal which came off Vanita's stick to complete the rout (7-2).

The second match played between RCF, Kapurthala, and North Eastern Railway, Gorakhpur, witnessed good stick work by both teams.

Though, the NE Railway eves dominated the proceedings and maintained the pressure throughout, yet luck did not favour them as their forwards fumbled at crucial moments.

Jaspreet Kaur of the RCF put her team ahead in the fourth minute and Charanpreet increased the lead in the 13th minute. Railway team reduced the margin through Poonam in the 52nd minute.

Earlier, Olympian Mukhbain Singh inaugurated the five-day tournament in which 12 top women hockey outfits of the country are taking part.