Physical illnesses are easy to see and, because they’re so visible, are often easy to treat. But when it comes to brain disorders like schizophrenia, spotting symptoms and diagnosing a condition become much more difficult. That’s why it’s so important to understand how schizophrenia can begin to appear – something you can learn with an online search.
Although rare, schizophrenia is a disorder that affects many adults. It’s a very complex illness that can cause confusing, unclear symptoms. If you’re interested in learning about schizophrenia and its symptoms, you can search online today.
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder. There is no cure for the condition, and it currently affects under one percent of the U.S. population. However, because schizophrenia is rare, it’s often misunderstood.
Schizophrenia is a very complex disorder. It isn’t a disorder that causes split personalities or multiple personalities. Those who live with schizophrenia may experience delusions, hallucinations, or struggles with thinking and concentration. They aren’t always violent or dangerous. And with treatment, many schizophrenia symptoms can improve.
Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia
The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia aren’t always clear. In fact, many people who have schizophrenia have no idea that they’re suffering from the disorder until they’re diagnosed by a doctor.
That’s because schizophrenia changes how people think, feel, and act. When symptoms are in full swing, it’s difficult for people to tell what’s real and what isn’t. Its symptoms can come and go too, complicating things even more. And there are a number of different symptoms – new changes, shifts in behavior, and mental changes – that can be tough to assess.
The symptoms of schizophrenia are typically broken down into the following categories.
Positive Schizophrenia Symptoms
These are symptoms that can begin happening when someone is experiencing schizophrenia. They are typically very exaggerated ideas, perceptions, or actions that indicate the sufferer can’t tell what’s reality and what isn’t. It can include:
- Hallucinations, like hearing voices, seeing people or items, and even feeling or smelling things that aren’t real.
- Delusions, like feeling stalked or tricked, believing you’re someone else, or thinking you have superpowers.
- Confused thoughts and disorganized speech, often seen with jumbled words or zoning out.
- Trouble concentrating.
- Movement disorders.
Negative Schizophrenia Symptoms
These are symptoms or behaviors that can stop happening in someone who has schizophrenia. Negative symptoms can cause sufferers to stop common, typical, or important behaviors altogether. And they can include:
- A lack of pleasure.
- Trouble speaking, or more limited speaking.
- Flattening, or interacting with no emotions.
- Withdrawal from normal life.
- Struggling with basic activities, like bathing or caring for yourself.
- A lack of follow-through.
Cognitive Symptoms
Schizophrenia can affect how the brain functions, so cognitive symptoms and effects may also appear. These can include symptoms that affect a person’s ability to learn, store, and use information. For example, someone with schizophrenia might struggle to keep track of a phone number or instructions. They might have trouble paying attention or making decisions.
If you think you – or a loved one – might be experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor right away. A doctor can perform the necessary testing and diagnostics required to rule out or confirm a schizophrenia diagnosis. And getting a diagnosis is the first step in treating or managing this disorder and its symptoms.
How Schizophrenia is Treated and Managed
Because schizophrenia can’t be cured, treating and managing the disorder is important. With treatment, symptoms may subside or be able to be controlled. However, even when symptoms seem to disappear, schizophrenia requires lifelong treatment.
Typically, once an individual is diagnosed with schizophrenia, a psychiatrist will handle and guide the treatment process. However, other professionals like psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, and even case managers may also be involved. Sometimes, a full team of experts in schizophrenia treatment may be the best approach.
Treating schizophrenia can involve a combination of different methods. Commonly, it includes the following treatment options and approaches.
Medication
Medication is one of the most important schizophrenia treatments. Those suffering from schizophrenia are commonly prescribed antipsychotic medications, which can help control symptoms by affecting the brain neurotransmitter dopamine.
Antipsychotic medications can help manage schizophrenia symptoms. While doctors typically try to use the lowest possible dose to achieve the desired results, it can require different medications, different doses, and even different combinations of medications to work. And it may take a few weeks before the medication begins to improve symptoms.
Injectable Antipsychotics
A long-acting and longer-lasting dose of antipsychotic medication, injectable antipsychotics are another treatment option. These can be given by a doctor every two to four weeks, and they can be a good option for individuals who don’t want to take pills or who may struggle to take their regular doses of medication.
Psychosocial Interventions
Along with medication, schizophrenia may require psychosocial interventions, or types of therapy that can help individuals return to normal life. These types of interventions include:
- Individual therapy.
- Social skills training.
- Family therapy.
- Vocational rehabilitation.
Typically, this type of treatment helps those with schizophrenia get support for their daily lives. It can help sufferers get jobs, housing, and self-help. It’s a form of management for the condition and its symptoms, and a case manager can offer resources and help in this area.
Hospitalization
At certain times, such as a crisis period or when symptoms become severe, individuals with schizophrenia may require hospitalization. A hospitalization can help ensure safety, proper nutrition, sleep, and hygiene when schizophrenia sufferers cannot care for themselves.
If you think that you or someone close to you might be suffering from schizophrenia, it’s important to see a doctor. You can begin taking steps to get a diagnosis and discover what’s happening inside your body.