What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious and complex mental health disorder. Unfortunately, schizophrenia is too often misconstrued and misrepresented in popular culture. So before discussing what schizophrenia is, it’s worth taking a moment to discuss what it’s not.
People with schizophrenia do not have split personalities or multiple personalities. Unlike what we see in movies and TV, people with schizophrenia are not more likely than anyone else to be violent or dangerous. And while some people with schizophrenia may, unfortunately, end up homeless if they do not have a support network or access to mental health resources, most people with schizophrenia live with their families, in group homes, or on their own.
Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that causes people to interpret reality differently, due to some combination of delusions, hallucinations, and severely disordered thinking. When left untreated, schizophrenia can significantly impair daily functioning. There is no cure for schizophrenia, but constant, life-long treatment can help manage symptoms and complications.
What are the Symptoms of Schizophrenia?
Generally speaking, schizophrenia impedes normal behaviors, cognition (thinking), and emotions. More specifically, symptoms of schizophrenia usually involve some combination of:
· Delusions
Delusions are the most common symptom of schizophrenia. Delusions are defined as false beliefs not rooted in reality. Belief in impending disaster, that you are being harassed, that all gestures and comments are intended for you, or that you are famous or especially talented in some way are all common delusions. Delusions are less common in teens diagnosed with schizophrenia.
· Hallucinations
Individuals with schizophrenia believe and react to things only they hear, see, or otherwise sense, but that don’t exist in reality. Most hallucinations are auditory, i.e. “hearing voices”, but hallucinations can involve any of the five senses. Teens with schizophrenia are more likely than adults to experience visual hallucinations.
· Disordered or disorganized thought and speech patterns
Schizophrenia may manifest as impaired or ineffective communication. For example, when asked a question, the response may be partially or even completely unrelated. These types of speech patterns, however, are a result of disorganized or disordered thought patterns. In the most severe cases, these disorganized thought patterns may manifest as streams of meaningless and incomprehensive words or phrases (sometimes termed “word salad”).
· Disorganized or abnormal motor control
Schizophrenia can adversely impact behavior and motor control. Fulfilling basic tasks can be challenging or even impossible. Disorganized behavioral patterns can also cause childlike silliness, no movement or excessive movement, resistance to instructions, inappropriate or strange postures or gestures, or even a lack of response entirely.
· Negative symptoms
Schizophrenia makes it extremely difficult for an individual to function normally. Exhibiting normal emotions, coping with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) such as hygiene, and participating in social activities can become compromised or even impossible for individuals with schizophrenia.
· Suicidal ideation
Unfortunately, suicidal thoughts and actions are very common for people suffering from schizophrenia.
What is the treatment for schizophrenia?
While schizophrenia cannot be cured, symptoms can be effectively managed with individualized treatment. For most people, a combination of antipsychotic drugs and counseling with a trained and licensed therapist is the most effective form of treatment.
Antipsychotic drugs may have to be taken daily or, in the case of newer injectable options, on a regular but less frequent schedule. While antipsychotic drugs have traditionally had some negative side effects, research continues to develop newer options with fewer side effects. Unfortunately, once the patient stops taken medication, the symptoms will return.
Regular talk therapy with a licensed therapist can help the patient develop coping skills, manage day-to-day activities, and pursue longer-term goals.
If family and friends are concerned about suicide, self-harm, or other type of violence, temporary hospitalization may be required. This can ensure that the patient is in a safe, controlled environment while the correct course of treatment is worked out.
In some cases, a holistic approach called coordinated special care may be appropriate. Coordinated special care facilitates a community approach incorporating medication, psychotherapy, family involvement, and educational services.
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