Schizophrenia This mental illness, which affects less than 1% of people, interferes with the ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. Mental health treatments for schizophrenia can help patients cope with symptoms to gain better control over their lives. Get treatment HIPAA Compliant A psychiatric evaluation for schizophrenia can be life-changing Schizophrenia can make it difficult to distinguish what is real, which can be terrifying and totally debilitating. Though a difficult disease to have, it is manageable. Many people with schizophrenia lead rewarding, productive lives. Without treatment, however, schizophrenia can lead to serious problems. Some people with schizophrenia retreat into total isolation. Substance abuse may arise in an attempt to self-medicate. Unfortunately, schizophrenia may lead to suicide, which is the largest contributor to decreased life expectancy for people with this mental health condition. Given these risks, it is urgent to get mental health care if you are experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia. A psychiatric evaluation can be the first step. At bonmente, our providers give a schizophrenia test to determine a diagnosis, which can form the basis of a mental health treatment plan. What causes schizophrenia? Though researchers have been unable to identify an exact cause, this mental illness appears to result from genetic, physical, and environmental factors. Stress may ignite symptoms in at-risk people. So can certain drugs, particularly cannabis, cocaine, LSD, or amphetamines. However, it is unknown why those elements affect some people and not others. Research indicates that abnormalities in dopamine, a neurotransmitter, is a factor in schizophrenia given its link to hallucinations and delusions. Other contributors under consideration include structural damage to the brain while in utero or during birth, malnutrition, inflammation in the brain, and exposure to viruses during pregnancy. What are the symptoms of schizophrenia? Schizophrenia’s presentations are not predictable. Sometimes there are not overt symptoms, but when there are they can vary in severity and duration. It appears they present less frequently with age. There are likely to be problems with maintaining focus, concentrating, and recalling information. Symptoms of schizophrenia fall under three categories: Positive symptoms (e.g., audible and visual hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, and exaggerated behaviors) Negative symptoms (difficulty with or inability to make plans, speak, demonstrate emotion, or experience pleasure) Disorganized symptoms (struggles with logical thinking, unorganized thinking and speech, and bizarre behavior or unusual movements) In general, men have initial symptoms in late teens or early 20s and women show their first signs in their 20s and early 30s. Symptoms must be present for at least six months in order to meet diagnostic criteria. If you are a person with mental illness, the challenge is to find the life that’s right for you. My good fortune is not that I’ve recovered from mental illness. I have not, nor will I ever. My good fortune lies in having found my life. – Elyn R. Saks How is schizophrenia treated? Though there is no cure, it is important to be optimistic with a schizophrenia diagnosis, as therapy, medications, and early interventions can control the disease and improve lives. Since schizophrenia symptoms are wide-ranging, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. Some patients respond exceptionally well to treatment. Others may require more support and assistance, possibly to the point of institutionalization. Individual therapy can help patients learn to cope with stress and recognize signs of relapse. Family therapy is also hugely helpful, as families often need tremendous support and continuing education to help their relative. Social-skills training and vocational rehabilitation can help patients communicate more effectively and obtain and keep gainful employment. Psychiatrists often prescribe medications to manage schizophrenia, with antipsychotic prescriptions the most common. Though prescriptions like haloperidol and chlorpromazine have long been a staple in many schizophrenia medication management plans, these medications increase the risk of developing a movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia. Newer antipsychotics that come with a lower risks of side effects include: aripiprazole (Abilify) brexpiprazole (Rexulti) clozapine (Clozaril, Versacloz) lurasidone (Latuda) olanzapine (Zyprexa) paliperidone (Invega) quetiapine (Seroquel) risperidone (Risperdal) ziprasidone (Geodon) Medication compliance is a huge indicator of successful management of schizophrenia. That is why some antipsychotic drugs come in longer-lasting injectables given every couple of weeks or once a month. If medications and therapy are unsuccessful, hospitalization can ensure basic needs are met. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is also an option in schizophrenia cases that do not improve from medications and therapy. Find the life that’s right for you. 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