Schizophrenia is a disorder that is distinguished by strange social behavior and the inability to recognize what is genuine or not. The disorder typically starts in young adulthood and affects men and women equally. Usually, the first noticeable signs of schizophrenia appear between ages 16 to 30.
It is a chronic condition, which means it can last a lifetime and symptoms can vary in intensity over time. Some people may have subtle symptoms that aren’t disabling, while others may have severe symptoms that are disabling.
Schizophrenia is a mental condition that affects the brain and a person’s capability to think properly, relate to others, and make simple decisions. People with schizophrenia may hear voices other people don’t hear. They often have delusions (false beliefs) and think that others are trying to harm them, take advantage of them or otherwise interfere with their well-being.
The main symptoms of schizophrenia are as follows:
- Hearing, seeing, feeling, smelling, or tasting things that do not exist
- Having beliefs (delusions) that you know are not true
- Behaving in ways that other people think are strange or inappropriate for you
- Having a reduced ability to look after yourself and concentrate
- Feeling fearful and suspicious of other people
- Hearing voices and feeling that other people are controlling your thoughts and actions (derealization)
- Feeling that other people are reading your mind and controlling your thoughts (paranoia)
What is the Treatment for Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a chronic illness, which means it lasts for many years and can be managed but not cured. There is no single treatment for schizophrenia. Instead, treatment focuses on restoring the person to a normal state of thinking and living.
The best treatment for schizophrenia combines medication, psychosocial therapy, and support services to help the person live a healthy and productive life. Apart from the regular treatments such as therapy, medications, and other complementary treatments make schizophrenia manageable.
What are the Complementary treatments for Schizophrenia?
Deep Brain Stimulation
What is deep brain stimulation? Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment for chronic and severe forms of mental illness, including depression, Parkinson’s disease, and Schizophrenia. The insertion of electrodes into the brain is a surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia in a hospital or outpatient surgical facility.
Amino Acids
For patients having negative symptoms of schizophrenia, like social isolation and slowed speech, high doses of the amino acid glycine are highly effective
Melatonin
For some people, the quality of their sleep positively impacts their symptoms. Melatonin is a hormone that controls the sleep cycle and taking melatonin helps in higher sleep efficiency. It helps the patient sleep deeply and this is helpful for them to manage their symptoms better.
Antipsychotic Drugs
Antipsychotic medications are proven to be effective in treating the symptoms of schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications are used to treat schizophrenia to manage the symptoms such as hearing voices, hallucinations, and disordered thinking.
The drugs act on the neurotransmitters in the brain causing changes to the brain chemistry and reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia. These medications are the first line of treatment for schizophrenia. Antipsychotic medications are either used alone or in combination to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia.
If you want to change your schizophrenia treatment, make sure you consult with a medical professional and discuss your concerns before taking a call.
