Inside the Mind: Understanding Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a persistent mental illness that impacts a person’s cognition, emotions, and actions. The condition is marked by symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
Schizophrenia is a condition that can affect anyone, although it typically develops in late teens to early 30s. It’s estimated that about 1 percent of people in the United States are affected by schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is often surrounded by misconceptions and stigmatization. Despite progress in understanding its causes and treatment, managing the condition can be difficult for researchers, healthcare providers, and individuals affected by it.
Continuous treatment is necessary for managing schizophrenia, so it’s crucial to be aware of available options and ways to support oneself or others with the condition.
Symptoms of schizophrenia
Some symptoms of schizophrenia may be more apparent and noticeable as they significantly differ from a person’s typical behavior.
Schizophrenia symptoms are generally divided into two categories: positive and negative. Positive symptoms refer to those that add abnormal behaviors, while negative symptoms refer to those that reduce or take away normal behaviors.
To clarify, positive symptoms of schizophrenia are behaviors that are added to a person’s normal behavior, such as hallucinations and delusions, while negative symptoms involve a reduction or loss of normal behaviors, such as a lack of emotional expression or social withdrawal.
To receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia, an individual must have at least two of the symptoms listed below for a period of one month or more:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized speech or incoherent speech
- Disorganized behavior, such as difficulty with motor function or unexplained agitation or silliness
- Negative symptoms, such as a lack of interest in activities, work or school.
To receive a diagnosis of schizophrenia, an individual must exhibit two or more of the listed symptoms for at least a month, with at least one of those symptoms being delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech.
These symptoms must significantly impair their ability to function in one or more major areas of life.
Additionally, there must be ongoing signs of disturbance for at least six months, with at least one month of active symptoms.
Delusions
To have a delusion means having a false, unchanging belief that is not based in reality and persists even when evidence is presented to contradict it. Delusions can take various forms, including:
- Persecutory (believing that people are plotting to harm you)
- Referential (believing that random events or people have a special significance to you)
- Grandiose (believing that you have exceptional abilities or fame)
- Erotomanic (believing that someone is in love with you)
- Nihilistic (believing that the end of the world is near)
- Somatic (believing that your body is drastically changing or malfunctioning)
Hallucinations
To experience a hallucination means to perceive something that doesn’t actually exist, such as seeing or hearing things that others do not.
Hallucinations can involve any of the five senses, but auditory hallucinations, such as hearing voices that others don’t hear, are the most common.
Causes of schizophrenia
The exact causes of schizophrenia are not completely known, but there is evidence to suggest that genetic, biological, and developmental risk factors may all contribute to the development of the disorder.
Like many mental health conditions, schizophrenia is believed to have complex and multifactorial causes.
Previous research has proposed that irregularities in brain structures can be a contributing factor to the development of schizophrenia.
Moreover, imbalances in brain chemicals have also been identified as a potential cause for some of the symptoms of schizophrenia.
However, a recent study in 2020 discovered lower levels of a protein located in the connections between neurons during brain scans of individuals with schizophrenia.
This influenced specific brain regions involved in planning.
Further research is required to comprehensively comprehend the relationship between the protein found in the connections between neurons and schizophrenia.
The research was conducted on rats, therefore, further research on humans is essential. Individuals with a family history of schizophrenia are at an increased risk of developing the condition, and genetics have been found to play a significant role in the development of schizophrenia.
Diagnosis of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is commonly diagnosed during early adulthood, typically when individuals first encounter delusions or hallucinations.
Mental health professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists, or clinical social workers usually diagnose the condition. Nevertheless, one may initially seek help from their primary care physician.
Your healthcare provider may use various methods to diagnose schizophrenia, including a combination of evaluation and tests.
This may involve blood tests, a physical examination, brain imaging tests such as MRI or CT scans, and questions about your medical history, mental health, and family medical history.
They may also rule out any other potential causes for your symptoms, such as substance use or other mental health conditions.
Schizophrenia treatment
Although there is no known cure for schizophrenia, there are several effective treatments available, including:
- Medications
- Therapy
- Social support treatment
- Vocational rehabilitation
- Wellness, lifestyle, and self-care
Since each person responds to medication differently, it’s important to work closely with a doctor who has experience in treating schizophrenia. The medications used to treat schizophrenia are commonly known as antipsychotics.
People with schizophrenia may also benefit from psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family-focused therapy, as well as social support treatments like vocational rehabilitation.
Additionally, there are some lifestyle changes that can help manage symptoms, such as maintaining structured daily routines, seeking support from friends or family, developing a crisis plan, and practicing stress management techniques to reduce exacerbation of symptoms.
Although schizophrenia can be managed, it is possible for relapses to happen. Generally, treatment will need to be continued throughout one’s life to maintain symptom control.
Living with and managing schizophrenia
Living with schizophrenia can be difficult, but it’s possible to manage the condition with a suitable treatment plan. It’s important to acknowledge your condition, educate others, and have a support system in place.
The goal of healthcare professionals is to prevent hospitalization and future episodes or relapses. By working closely with your healthcare team and keeping them informed of any symptoms or changes, you can improve your chances of managing the condition effectively.
Some individuals might resort to using drugs or alcohol to cope with or prevent symptoms of schizophrenia, which can lead to additional issues. It’s essential to seek help from your doctor if you think you’re depending on substances for relief. You don’t have to deal with schizophrenia by yourself, though.
Having the support of loved ones or other individuals with schizophrenia is often beneficial. You can locate support groups through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).
Managing schizophrenia can require a lot of effort, but it’s important to recognize and take pride in the work you do to manage and live with the condition.
Complications of schizophrenia
When schizophrenia goes undiagnosed or untreated, it can cause severe complications such as:
- Social isolation and difficulty maintaining relationships
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm
- New or worsening substance use disorders
- Problems with work, school, or other daily activities
- Poor physical health and a higher risk of other medical conditions
Helping someone with schizophrenia
Support from friends and family who recognize that symptoms of schizophrenia do not detract from the individual’s unique personality and strengths can be beneficial.
However, for those without the condition, understanding the symptoms can be challenging, especially if the individual’s treatment is not effective.
Education and knowledge about schizophrenia can help you comprehend the experiences of someone with the condition.
Here are some quick tips for supporting someone with schizophrenia:
- Take the time to research the condition to gain a basic understanding and learn about stigma associated with it.
- Offer nonjudgmental support to help them advocate for their health.
- Assist them in developing and maintaining a structured daily routine.
- Understand that they may exhibit unexpected behaviors or say things, which requires patience and compassion.
- If they are in crisis or if you are concerned about their safety, encourage them to seek help from a crisis hotline or their mental health team for further assistance.
Getting help with schizophrenia
The initial step of seeking help can be challenging, especially since before diagnosis, you may not be aware that something is wrong.
It is often the case that loved ones are the first to notice the symptoms and take action to find you treatment. However, you must consent to treatment, and you may not believe you need it.
Many individuals find it helpful to begin the process with a mental health professional, who can accurately diagnose the symptoms of schizophrenia while excluding other potential diagnoses or issues that may be causing your symptoms.
Once you receive a diagnosis, it is important to continue working with your treatment team to ensure that you have all the necessary tools to live well.
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