Schizophrenia Rehabilitation and Treatment

Many people think they know what schizophrenia is because they’ve seen representations of it in pop culture. But while films such as 2001’s “A Beautiful Mind” or 2009’s “The Soloist” give a glimpse into what it can be like to experience some aspects of schizophrenia, for those who have or know someone with the mental disorder, the day-to-day reality can be much less glamorous than what Hollywood portrays.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) describes schizophrenia as a complex chronic brain disorder that makes it so the patient cannot distinguish between what is real and what is not. Schizophrenia affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

There’s no “one size fits all” when it comes to schizophrenia or schizophrenia treatment. The mental disorder manifests itself not as one of many schizophrenia types but rather through several symptoms that vary by person in terms of frequency, duration and severity. While there used to be names for different schizophrenia types, in 2013 the distinct terms were discontinued. Diagnosing schizophrenia requires other possible causes of the symptoms — such as drug or substance abuse or other medical or mental conditions — to be ruled out. Treatment options usually include various antipsychotic drugs and forms of therapy.

According to Mayo Clinic, people with schizophrenia are unlikely to realize they have it, so it’s often up to friends, family, and loved ones to help them get the help and support they need. Recognizing some of the symptoms and signs of schizophrenia can help.

It’s commonly known that people with this mental disorder may experience hallucinations, but the signs of schizophrenia don’t end there. According to the NIMH and the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), there are three categories of symptoms of schizophrenia:

• Positive Symptoms — Psychotic, disruptive behaviors you don’t usually see in a healthy person
• • Hallucinations (auditory, visions, smells, tactile)
• • Unusual body movements or facial tics
  • Strongly held false beliefs or delusions
  • Dysfunctional thinking
• Negative Symptoms — Cause the patient to divert from ordinary feelings and behaviors
• • Reduced emotional expression in face or voice
  • Decreased happiness or pleasure day-to-day
  • Lowered ability to start or continue projects
  • Speaking less
• Cognitive Symptoms — Changes to thinking or memory
• • Decreased understanding and decision-making ability
  • Problems paying attention or focusing
  • Disorganized thought and speech
  • Difficulty processing or using new information

It can be hard to recognize the early signs of schizophrenia in teenagers, Mayo Clinic notes, because several of the symptoms are already common in typical teen development: trouble sleeping, a drop in academic performance, withdrawal from friends and family, lack of motivation, and irritability or depressed mood.

Less than one percent of the population is affected by schizophrenia, according to the APA. Signs of schizophrenia usually appear in a person when they’re between the ages of 16 and 30, and people usually don’t develop it after age 45. Both males and females can develop the mental disorder, though it’s generally thought to be slightly more common in males and more likely to develop at a younger age in males, according to the NLM.

Many young adults will experience first episode psychosis (FEP) due to schizophrenia, where they will experience a frightening mental state that is broken from reality. This is the first time someone experiences a schizophrenic psychotic episode.

There is no cure, but there is treatment for schizophrenia. With proper care, most people living with schizophrenia can live full, productive, and rewarding lives. Medicine for schizophrenia, including antipsychotic medications, can help manage or reduce existing symptoms and prevent future worsening of symptoms, according to the APA. Antipsychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed medicine for schizophrenia, according to Mayo Clinic, though antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs also may be effective. Finding the right drugs to treat schizophrenia can be challenging because many of the medications cause adverse side effects.

Medication is critical in reducing symptoms of psychosis, but it is only one of the various steps of necessary treatment. Other forms of treatments, such as therapy, rehabilitation, skills training, and family education, can also help mitigate symptoms and give people with schizophrenia the tools and support they need to succeed as they manage their chronic mental disorder.

Having schizophrenia is extremely overwhelming and terrifying, and it has a large impact on an individual’s loved ones. It is important to become educated on the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia so that if a loved one starts showing symptoms, you can know how to help. Remember to seek professional help and a diagnosis right away, even if you aren’t sure if the symptoms point to schizophrenia. The diagnosis process can be very overwhelming, and finding the right medication can be equally stressful. Be sure to express love and support for your loved one to help them through this difficult time.

The Phoenix Recovery Center offers medication and other forms of treatment to help those who have schizophrenia. Diagnosing schizophrenia takes time, but even if someone has yet to receive a formal diagnosis, The Phoenix can perform an assessment and determine which treatment program may be right for them. The Phoenix Recovery Center does not act as a psych ward or hospital, but rather a rehabilitation center. An inpatient schizophrenia treatment center like the Phoenix allows individuals to get away from daily life stresses and work towards stabilizing their mental disorder. The Phoenix also offers rehab for alcohol and substance abuse, and a dual diagnosis treatment for individuals suffering from both substance abuse and mental health disorders. The programs offered by The Phoenix include an Inpatient Residential Program, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) Day Program, Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), or General Outpatient Program (GOP).