What is Schizophrenia? - Facts to Help You Understand Schizophrenia

11/15/2022

 

A part of the population still considers mental illness a taboo, hindering people from talking about it. The more we hesitate to talk about it, the more we drift apart from the healing process. 

 

Signs & Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Just like every other condition, Schizophrenia too, has a wide range of signs and symptoms. The following are a few of them: -

• Unorganized speech/thinking: - Unorganised speech is a common symptom in patients suffering from Schizophrenia. People might find it challenging to engage in effective communication and logical analysis. The type of speech may include an amalgamation of useless words that the listener can’t understand or interpret.  

• Delusions: - Delusions are false beliefs that do not have any connection with reality. For example, constant feeling of being harassed or harmed, anyone, in particular, is in love with you, specific comments or gestures directed at you, etc.

• Abnormal motor behavior: - People with Schizophrenia are most likely to show extremely disorganized or unexpected abnormal or strange behavior with no context to the situation. Such behavioral patterns may include resistance to instructions, inappropriate posture, unpredictable responses, and many more. 

• Hallucinations: - Hallucinations involve hearing or seeing things that do not exist. Schizophrenics are most likely to experience hallucinations about hearing something. They react accordingly, which results in abnormal responses.

• Negative behavior: - A person suffering from Schizophrenia will behave and function completely differently than how a normal human behaves. A schizophrenic eventually loses the sense of basics, like personal hygiene, starts gaining a lack of general emotions, loses interest in day-to-day activities, childlike silliness, and many others. 

If you observe any such pattern of behavior in your family or friend, all you can do is take them to a psychiatrist. Avoid delays, and take the earliest possible steps for quicker treatment action. The medical instructor shall analyze the condition and provide a Schizophrenia Drug List. Make sure the patient follows the instruction as prescribed by the doctor. 

 

Causes of Schizophrenia

Although the primary reason behind Schizophrenia is still unknown, as per the researchers, brain chemistry, a combination of genetics, and environmental factors contribute to the development of the disorder. Here are some of the risk factors responsible for the condition: -

• Genetics: - Genetics plays a vital role in developing this disease. If you have a family history of Schizophrenia, there are possible chances that you might develop the condition. 

• Age: - Age also plays a factor in developing the disease. Many people tend to develop the signs and symptoms of the condition with age. 

• Brain abnormality: - As per research, specific abnormal changes in the brain structure can also lead to many mental illnesses. 

• Brain chemistry: - People who have Schizophrenia may not be able to regulate brain chemicals known as neurotransmitters that control certain circuits or pathways of nerve cells that affect behavior and thinking. 

• Environmental factors: - Environmental factors such as viral infections, exposure to harmful toxins, or even stressful situations may trigger Schizophrenia in adults most likely to have a family history of the condition. 

Those mentioned above are some of the possible causes behind the development of the condition. People might also have a different set of reasons for having the condition. 

 

Treatment Plan for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic mental condition that carries a long-term treatment plan. Although the disorder is non-curable, an appropriate treatment plan helps control the symptoms. Read the following points below to get an idea of what to do if someone close to you gets the disease:

• Understand the symptoms: - Mental disorders always come up with certain changes in behavioral patterns. Hence it is important to notice the changes. If any of the two symptoms listed above last for an extended period (let’s say, a month or two or even more), the person is most likely to have the condition. 

• Consult a professional: - Never hesitate to consult a doctor/psychiatrist if you or anyone in your family undergoes such circumstances. There is nothing to be ashamed of talking about or discussing the mental or mood changes you are experiencing. 

• Medications: - As said before, Schizophrenia can’t be cured. But with the right treatment, the symptoms can be well controlled. Some schizophrenia medicines your doctor may prescribe are Abilify 2mg Generic Tablets and Mellaril 25mg Generic Tablets. Follow the treatment plan laid down by the doctor for the given period and stick to the exact dosage instructions. 

• Never lose hope: - The life of a person with Schizophrenia may be a little though than it seems, but there is always a light of hope. If any of your close ones are going through the same, you must support them and help them cope with the condition. 

 

Conclusion

Dealing with any chronic disorder is never easy, whether physical or mental. People dealing with such conditions are absolute warriors and inspirations for all of us. To add on, people in the family should be considerate enough to make it easy for the patient to deal with it. It is also essential to stay in touch with your medical practitioner and stay under their guidance.