Reclaim Your Life From Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental health condition that affects a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. It is a severe and disabling condition that can make it difficult for people to distinguish between what is real and what is not. Schizophrenia can manifest in a variety of ways, but it typically involves a combination of hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and speech, and abnormal behaviors.
In Schizophrenia, patients experience hallucinations which are sensations that are not grounded in reality. Having delusional thoughts or false beliefs that are not based on reality are some very common signs of schizophrenia. For instance, a person with schizophrenia may believe that someone is trying to harm them or that they are being watched.
Disorganized thinking and speech can make it difficult for a person with schizophrenia to communicate effectively. They may find it strenuous to organize their thoughts or express themselves clearly. Abnormal behaviors can include a lack of motivation, a loss of interest in activities, or unusual movements or gestures.
Schizophrenia often develops in late adolescence or early adulthood and grows to become a chronic illness as time passes by if neglected or left untreated.
The prevalence of schizophrenia varies widely depending on the population being studied, the diagnostic criteria used, and other factors. The statistical report of the World Health Organization (WHO), shows around 20 million people are suffering from schizophrenia around the world.
Learn The Early Signs and Symptoms
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder that can exhibit a wide range of symptoms. Here are some early signs and symptoms a patient having schizophrenia tends to show:
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- A drop in school or work performance
- Unusual or irrational beliefs or thoughts
- Difficulty with concentration or memory
- A lack of emotional expression or inappropriate emotional responses
- Having a tremendous amount of changes in sleep patterns, such as oversleeping or sleeping too little
- Unusual or irrational behavior
- Perceptual disturbances, such as experiencing, hearing, or seeing things that are not there (hallucinations)
- Delusions such as having firm beliefs that are not based on reality
- A decline in personal hygiene and grooming
The appearance of these symptoms alone does not always imply schizophrenia, and it’s crucial to keep in mind that they can also occur in other mental health illnesses. It’s critical to consult a mental health expert for help if you or a loved one is going through any of these symptoms to get a proper assessment and diagnosis.
Who Are More Prone To Schizophrenia?
No matter one’s age, gender, color, or socioeconomic background, schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can strike anybody. However, some factors may raise the chance of schizophrenia development in a person.
- Genetics: The likelihood of getting schizophrenia increases if the family has a history of the condition in the past. People with a first-degree relative, such as a parent or sibling, with schizophrenia, have a much higher risk of having the disorder at some point.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to viruses, malnutrition before birth, or difficult birth, are some environmental factors that may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia.
- Substance abuse: Using drugs, especially cannabis, can make schizophrenia more likely to occur.
- Stressful life events: Traumatic experiences or situations in life, such as the death of a loved one, relationship breakdown, or losing a job, can trigger the onset of schizophrenia.
- Brain structure and function: Some research suggests that people with schizophrenia may have differences in brain structure and function compared to healthy people without the disorder. It’s possible that imbalances in brain chemicals like glutamate and dopamine contribute to the emergence of schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia Diagnosis
The diagnosis of schizophrenia is based on a combination of the patient’s symptoms, medical history, and testing to rule out other potential causes of the symptoms. A psychiatrist or clinical psychologist will generally make a diagnosis, which may include the following:
- Physical exam: The first step in the diagnostic process is often a physical exam and medical history review to rule out any physical reasons for the symptoms.
- Psychological evaluation: The mental health professional will conduct a psychological assessment, which includes asking the patient about their symptoms, thoughts, feelings, and behavior. The evaluation may also involve interviewing family members or other people close to the person to get more information.
- Diagnostic criteria: The mental health professional will use the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to determine if the person meets the criteria for a schizophrenia diagnosis. The DSM-5 outlines specific signs and symptoms that must be present for a diagnosis to be made.
- Medical tests: Blood tests or brain imaging is done to rule out other possible causes of the symptoms.
- Duration of symptoms: The mental health professional will also consider how long the person has been experiencing symptoms, as schizophrenia symptoms typically last for at least six months.
Additionally, it is possible that people with schizophrenia may not recognize that they have a problem or may be unwilling to seek help, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. It is best to seek mental help at the earliest for better treatment and recovery.
Schizophrenia Treatment and Support
NABHS aims to treat and reduce the severity of symptoms, improve the patient’s ability to function, and prevent relapses. Treatment may involve a combination of medication, therapy, and support services, and may be adjusted over time based on the person’s needs and response to treatment.
- Medication: Antipsychotic medications are the most common prescription treatment used for schizophrenia. These medications can help reduce hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms of the disorder. There are several different types of antipsychotic medications available, and the choice of medication will depend on the patient’s symptoms and other factors.
- Therapy: Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, can be helpful in treating schizophrenia. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is one type of therapy that may be used to assist patients with schizophrenia to learn how to manage their symptoms and cope with the challenges of the disorder.
- Support services: Support services can be helpful in managing the symptoms of schizophrenia and improving the person’s ability to function. Support services may include case management, vocational rehabilitation, and social skills training.
- Hospitalization: In some cases, hospitalization may be required if the person’s symptoms are severe or if there is a risk of harm to themselves or others around them. Hospitalization can provide a safe and supportive environment for the patient to receive therapy and stabilize their symptoms.
- Self-help and support groups: For persons with schizophrenia and their families, self-help and support groups may be extremely helpful resources. People here can share their experiences and learn from others who are facing similar difficulties in safe and supportive environments.
