What Is Schizophrenia?
According to the American Psychiatric Association, schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that affects nearly one percent of the population. It can include delusions, hallucinations, difficulty thinking and concentrating, and lack of motivation. Symptoms experienced with schizophrenia are broken down into several categories: positive psychotic symptoms, negative symptoms, disorganization symptoms, and impaired cognition. Individuals with schizophrenia may act, think, and speak differently because of these symptoms.
Symptoms
Positive psychotic symptoms include hallucinations such as hearing voices, paranoid delusions and/or exaggerated or distorted perceptions, beliefs, and behaviors. Negative symptoms include a loss or inability to initiate plans, speak, or express emotions. Disorganization symptoms involve abnormal behavior or movements and disordered thinking/speech, and impaired cognition includes difficulty with attention, concentration, etc.
Symptoms of schizophrenia typically appear in early adulthood, but several signs may be present earlier in childhood. The causes of schizophrenia are somewhat unknown, as there are many varying beliefs for what causes schizophrenia.
Potential Causes
Scientists have differing opinions on what causes schizophrenia. Potential causes range from genetics to environmental factors, biology, as well as life stressors that could trigger the onset of schizophrenia. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests that exposure to viruses, malnutrition before birth, problems during birth, and psychosocial factors are other potential causes.
Treatment
Thankfully, there are many effective treatments that individuals with schizophrenia can use to better manage their symptoms. Treatment may include anti-psychotic medication, psychosocial treatment, and coordinated specialty care, which coordinates medication, psychosocial therapies, case management, family involvement, and education/employment services to best suit the needs of the person.
Mental Health America claims that individuals with schizophrenia experience different symptoms, and not everyone is the same. If you believe you may have schizophrenia, obtaining a diagnosis is your first step towards recovery. Once you know for sure, you can begin seeking treatment to develop tools that you can use to help better manage day-to-day life. Thousands have found that a combination of medication and therapy has helped them, and it can help you too.
New Vista Behavioral Health is home to several world-renowned, California state-licensed mental health and substance abuse recovery treatment centers. Our treatment centers believe in holistic recovery, meaning that we will work with you to restore your mind, body, and spirit.
Make the decision to place your health and wellbeing as top priority, and call us today at 844-887-9978 for a consultation.
