Schizophrenia is an uncommon brain disorder that affects less than one percent of people in the United States. The peculiarity of symptoms, difference in how they show up person-to-person, and myths surrounding the condition make it harder to recognize and diagnose. In this article, we take a look at the warning signs and symptoms of schizophrenia, as well are how it’s commonly treated.
What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a complex psychotic disorder that for some, involves periods of time where the disorder is active and other times where it’s dormant. Others may remain chronically ill with symptoms appearing to be stable or progressively worsening over time. Contrary to what some think, it does not involve split or multiple personalities. Rather, it’s a split between a person’s mind and reality.
Signs And Symptoms Of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia isn’t as easy to diagnose as other medical conditions, particularly because it tends to manifest itself early on in life. Males tend to develop it between the ages of 18 and 25, while signs begin to show up in females between 25 and the mid-30s. At the onset of the disorder, signs often include social withdrawal, decreased function, loss of interest, and unusual behaviour.
Symptoms and the frequency and degree to which they are present vary from one person to another. Schizophrenic signs and symptoms are divided into three categories:
Positive Symptoms
This category is named because it includes thoughts, feelings, and behavioral patterns that are not normally present in person but are added because of schizophrenia. Some of the positive symptoms of schizophrenia are delusions and hallucinations.
Negative Symptoms
Negative symptoms are those that diminish the functioning of a person, or thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that are reduced or lost because of schizophrenia. They may include social withdrawal, a loss in motivation, and blunted emotions, which may present as lack of eye contact, and few facial expressions.
Cognitive Symptoms
As the name suggests, cognitive symptoms involve an impairment or hindrance to mental functions. This category of symptoms includes issues with memory, concentration, reason, communication, and the ability to plan.
Symptoms must persist for at least six months to be diagnosed as schizophrenic. Several medical conditions share some of these symptoms, so talk to a doctor or psychiatrist if you’re concerned about you or someone you know.
Common Treatments For Schizophrenia
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to treating schizophrenia, as the symptoms vary from one person to another based on lifestyle, habits, and triggers. The complex nature of this mental disorder necessitates a multifaceted treatment method. As a result, the common treatments of schizophrenia often include medication and therapy.
Medication: The medication prescribed usually depends on the symptoms an individual person is experiencing. However, antipsychotics are the most commonly used to help manage and reduce schizophrenic symptoms. Antipsychotics are prescribed to reduce a patient’s symptoms through interaction with the brain’s dopamine neurotransmitter.
Therapy: Psychological and social therapy are also used in treating schizophrenia, administered alongside medication for effective care. Once symptoms have subsided, a psychologist will likely suggest psychosocial therapy. Psychosocial therapy may include skill acquisition training, patient education to recognize signs of a relapse, stress relief, and employment rehabilitation.
Although none of these treatment methods cure schizophrenia, they can help patients achieve high levels of productivity and live a long, fulfilling life.
Conclusion
If schizophrenia is left untreated, it tends to deteriorate a person’s mental state and may results in other mental health issues like suicidal tendencies, depression, and anxiety disorders. Should you or someone around you show any of the discussed signs or symptoms, immediately consult a doctor or psychiatrist for a diagnosis.