People usually in their early adulthood or late adolescence are prone to schizophrenia. It is a mental condition that significantly affects one’s emotions, thinking, speech, and other aspects of life. This leads to an impact on daily activities and social interactions. Everyone experiences schizophrenia differently, so treatment is customized according to one’s condition. Treatment is necessary to combat symptoms and relapse for those suffering from this lifelong condition.
Why Seek Treatment for Schizophrenia?
What actually causes schizophrenia is a mystery. People with a history of schizophrenia in the family are more likely to develop the condition as well. Scientists also discovered that environmental factors like infection, injury, and psychological trauma could cause the disease. Sometimes people with physiological problems such as malformed pathways or chemical imbalances in the brain can also have schizophrenia.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Some of the symptoms to tell that one has the condition include:
1. Hallucinations
2. Strange behavior
3. Delusions
4. Social withdrawal
5. Insomnia
6. Poor concentration
Positive Symptoms
Positive symptoms refer to experiences or behaviors that are added to a person’s normal mental state. These symptoms often involve distortions in perception and thinking.
Hallucinations Hallucinations are sensory experiences that occur without an external stimulus. The most common type in schizophrenia is auditory hallucinations, where individuals hear voices that others do not. These voices may comment on the person’s actions, argue with them, or issue commands. Less commonly, people may experience visual, olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), or tactile (touch) hallucinations.
Delusions Delusions are false beliefs that remain fixed despite clear evidence to the contrary. Common types include: – Persecutory delusions: The belief that one is being harmed, harassed, or conspired against. – Referential delusions: The belief that random events or remarks are specifically directed at them. – Grandiose delusions: An exaggerated sense of importance, such as believing one has extraordinary powers or fame. – Religious or somatic delusions: False beliefs involving religious figures or physical health.
Disorganized Thinking Disorganized thinking is evident in speech patterns that are difficult to follow. A person may jump between unrelated topics (derailment) or provide answers unrelated to questions (tangentiality). In severe cases, speech may become incoherent (word salad).
Disorganized or Abnormal Motor Behavior This symptom includes unpredictable or inappropriate actions, such as agitation, childlike silliness, or complete lack of responsiveness (catatonia). Catatonia can manifest as rigid posture, resistance to movement, or excessive, purposeless movement.
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive symptoms affect memory, attention, and decision-making, making daily functioning challenging.
Impaired Executive Function People may struggle with planning, organizing, and problem-solving, making independent living difficult.
Attention Deficits Difficulty focusing, sustaining attention, or filtering out distractions is common, affecting work or school performance.
Working Memory Problems Individuals may have trouble holding and manipulating information in their mind, such as following conversations or instructions.
Treatment Options for Schizophrenia
When diagnosed with the condition, never hesitate to visit one of the residential treatment centers for schizophrenia in Florida for treatment. Various treatment options depend on your situation. Treatment will alleviate or eliminate some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. Here are some of the treatment options.
1. Coordinated Special Care
This form of treatment is after one’s first session of psychosis. It is a severe mental ailment with impaired emotions and thoughts, making people lose contact with reality. Coordinated specialty care is a team approach involving professionals and the patient to create a personalized treatment plan. Getting this treatment after the first episode of psychosis has higher chances of improved life quality.
2. Medications
Sometimes, antipsychotic medication is used to treat schizophrenia. This medicine is in two categories, including first-generation (regular antipsychotics) to alleviate hallucinations and delusions. These include:
Haldol, Mellaril, Loxitane, Navane, Moban, Serentil and Prolixin.
Second-generation antipsychotics (atypical antipsychotics) are for improving social engagement, negative thought patterns, and motivation. Examples of these medications include:
Risperdal, Abilify, Zyprexa, Saphris, Seroquel, Latuda, Clozaril, Invega and Geodon.
3. Therapy
After psychosis symptoms have receded, psychological methods can help manage schizophrenia. Some of the therapies for the treatment of the condition include:
4. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
For patients who fail to respond to medication, ECT is applied. The procedure happens with the patient under general anesthesia. The doctors send controlled electric currents to the person’s brain leading to a brief seizure. ECT is usually for relieving depression symptoms, although it can work for schizophrenia patients too.
5. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
This therapy is ideal for non-acute phases for treating schizophrenia, like other kinds of individual psychotherapy. CBT focuses on handling issues likely to encourage a relapse. These might include negative thought patterns one might have and enhancing social skills. Additionally, the therapy works on eliminating reservations the patient might have about taking their medication.
6. Individual Psychotherapy
People usually have spans of short attention, including difficulty recognizing reality. Contacts are generally brief during this stage of care. Someone with active psychosis benefits more from having various brief interactions compared to one or two long sessions.
7. Psychosocial Therapy
During this approach, care coordination, case management, and other methods are applied to help the patient develop emotional and social skills. The psychosocial therapist works with the patient to recognize resources that boost independence.
These are valuable for someone with schizophrenia to avoid psychotic attacks with access to appropriate resources independently. Patients usually become overwhelmed after a period of psychosis, making case management helpful in reducing some burdens.
8. Cognitive Enhancement Therapy
Development of CET focused on schizophrenia patients. The therapy improves the development of cognitive ability leading to occupational opportunities and social skills. Conducting CET is usually in highly structured groups and usually lasts for about 48 weeks.
9. Hospitalization
When feeling overwhelmed by the symptoms of schizophrenia, a person can visit the hospital voluntarily. Alternatively, other people can make the person go to the hospital. It is risky to have active psychosis symptoms but stick to talk therapy. Being hospitalized allows stabilization and staying safe. Residential treatment allows getting medication adjusted in a safe and controlled environment.
10. Treatment Recurring Conditions
It is essential to address schizophrenia and recurring conditions. The rule of thumb is to address whatever is causing the most symptoms currently. For active psychosis, the treatment aims at stabilizing rather than managing social anxiety. For substance abuse problems and schizophrenia, abstinence is recommended.
After abstinence and when adequate time has passed enough to allow withdrawal symptoms to reduce, the addressing of schizophrenia begins. It is not easy for anyone with drug abuse problems to distinguish between the symptoms and those of the addiction.
Suffering from schizophrenia is not a death sentence. There are various treatment options to alleviate the symptoms and to lead an everyday life.
Early Warning Signs
Early detection can improve long-term outcomes. Warning signs may include:
– Social withdrawal
– Decline in academic or work performance
– Unusual suspicions or paranoia
– Neglect of personal hygiene
– Irrational or bizarre statements
Conclusion
Schizophrenia presents a wide range of symptoms that vary in severity and impact. Recognizing these symptoms early and seeking professional help can greatly improve quality of life. Treatment often involves a combination of medication, therapy, and support services tailored to the individual’s needs. With proper care, many people with schizophrenia can lead fulfilling and productive lives.
