Understanding and Treating Schizophrenia

Name: Strong Mind Psychiatry
Address: Vancouver, WA
Telephone: (360) 208-0258
Price range: $$-$$$

Schizophrenia is an often misunderstood mental disorder. Despite popular belief, it often does not involve multiple personalities or violence.

Schizophrenia Treatment

Psychiatric Services and Therapy for a Stronger Mind - Vancouver, WA

Schizophrenia is a treatable mental health condition. Those affected just need compassion, understanding, and proper care – especially since many people with schizophrenia don’t realize they have a mental health issue.

If left untreated, schizophrenia can lead to severe complications that affect every area of life, including:

Social isolation
Suicide attempts and/or thoughts of suicide
Anxiety disorders and/or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Depression
Misuse of alcohol or other drugs (including nicotine)
Aggressive or violent behavior (though it’s important to note that people with schizophrenia are more likely to be assaulted rather than assault others)
Inability to work or attend school
Financial issues
Homelessness

Schizophrenia typically starts between the ages of 15 and 25 for men, and between 25 and 35 for women. About 20% of new cases occur in people over age 45 (which tends to happen more in men). Schizophrenia in children is rare but possible.

At Strong Mind Psychiatry, we know that each person’s experience with schizophrenia is different. Our team focuses on the whole person, not just their symptoms, to foster lasting recovery and improved quality of life. We customize our psychiatric and therapy services for each client, considering your unique needs, goals, and preferences.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency, please call 911 right away.

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It disrupts your brain’s function, affecting thoughts, memory, senses, and behaviors. As a result, those affected may struggle in many parts of day-to-day life.

What is Schizophrenia?

People with schizophrenia might appear disconnected from reality and/or behave abnormally. They also typically get diagnosed with schizophrenia after their first psychotic episode.

Psychiatrists used to classify schizophrenia into types, such as paranoid and catatonic. Experts now see schizophrenia as a range of conditions, including:

Schizotypal personality disorder (which also falls under the category of personality disorders)
Schizophreniform disorder
Schizoaffective disorder
Delusional disorder
Brief psychotic disorder
Other schizophrenia spectrum disorders (specified or unspecified)

First Signs of Schizophrenia

Early signs of schizophrenia can be subtle and easily overlooked. You might see those affected pulling away from friends and family, struggling at work or school, having strange thoughts or suspicions, and changing the way they look or take care of themselves.

Spotting early signs of schizophrenia helps improve long-term results. Starting treatment early also improves the chances of managing symptoms, avoiding complications, and living a fulfilling life.

Symptoms may include:

Delusions: When people believe in things that aren’t real or true.
Hallucinations: Seeing or hearing things that other people don’t observe.
Disorganized Speech and Thinking: Those with schizophrenia give answers to questions that may not be related to what’s being asked, or questions may not be answered fully.
Extremely Disorganized or Unusual Motor Behavior: This may show in several ways, from childlike silliness to being agitated for no reason.

People with schizophrenia may not be able to function in the way they could before their illness started. For example, they may not bathe, make eye contact, or show emotions. They may speak in a monotone voice or not be able to experience pleasurable feelings. Also, they may lose interest in everyday activities, socially withdraw, and have a hard time planning ahead.

What Causes Schizophrenia?

It isn’t exactly known what causes schizophrenia. But researchers believe that a mix of genetics, brain chemistry, and environment can play a part.

Neuroimaging studies show that people with schizophrenia have changes in brain structure and their central nervous systems. Changes in natural brain chemicals, like dopamine and glutamate, may contribute to schizophrenia.

Risk factors include:

A family history of schizophrenia
Traumatic life experiences (living in poverty, stress, or danger)
Using mind-altering drugs (psychoactive or psychotropic drugs) during teen or young adult years
Some pregnancy and birth issues (not getting enough nutrition before or after birth, low birth weight, or exposure to toxins or viruses before birth)

How is Schizophrenia Diagnosed?

A licensed healthcare professional can diagnose schizophrenia or similar disorders. This typically involves asking questions, noting symptoms, and observing behavior. They’ll ask questions to rule out other potential causes of symptoms. Then they compare what they find to the criteria required for a schizophrenia diagnosis.

To diagnose schizophrenia, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-5 says someone needs:

At least two of the five main symptoms.
Symptoms occurring for at least one month.
Symptoms affecting work and your relationships.

Healthcare providers may run tests first. They do this to rule out other conditions before diagnosing schizophrenia. The most likely types of tests include:

Imaging Tests: CT scans, MRIs, and other imaging tests.
Blood, Urine, and Cerebrospinal Fluid (Spinal Tap) Tests: These tests look for chemical changes in bodily fluids that might explain changes in your behavior.
Brain Activity Testing: An electroencephalogram (EEG) measures the brain’s electrical activity and records it.

Treatments for Schizophrenia

Treating schizophrenia usually requires a mix of medication, therapy, and support. More specifically:

Treatments include:

First- and second-generation antipsychotics: These medications stop your brain from using some chemicals that help cells talk to each other.
Next-generation antipsychotics: A new antipsychotic that targets cholinergic receptors, not dopamine ones.
Psychotherapy: Talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help you manage this condition.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT): This treatment uses an electrical current on the scalp, stimulating specific areas of the brain.

How to Help Someone With Schizophrenia

If people you know have symptoms of schizophrenia, help them find a healthcare professional or mental health professional. While you can’t force them to seek help, you can offer encouragement and support.

Call 911 or another emergency service if someone is a danger to themselves or others. Some may need an emergency stay in a hospital. Laws on mental health treatment against a person’s will vary by state.

If you have schizophrenia, you should do the following to help care for yourself and manage your condition:

Don’t ignore or avoid symptoms.
See your healthcare provider.
Take medications as prescribed.
Avoid alcohol and recreational drug use.

You Don’t Have to Face Mental Illness Alone

Living with schizophrenia can be lonely and difficult. But you or a loved one don’t have to face this journey by yourself. Many people with schizophrenia find it hard to get the care they need, often due to stigma or lack of awareness.

At Strong Mind Psychiatry, we aim for our clients to feel safe and accepted. Our team works with primary care doctors, family members, and other support systems to provide complete and coordinated care.

Our skilled psychiatrists look at medical history, symptoms, and life situations. Then, they create a treatment plan just for you.

If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards healing. Together, we can help you reclaim your life from schizophrenia.