Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness affecting thinking, feeling, and behavior. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality because the symptoms of schizophrenia can make it difficult to participate in everyday activities. Individuals are commonly diagnosed with schizophrenia between the ages of 16 and 30, after a first episode of psychosis.
People with psychotic symptoms may lose a shared sense of reality with others. They may also experience the world in a different way. These symptoms can come and go for some people. Psychotic symptoms commonly include hallucinations, delusions, and thought disorder or movement disorder.
There are other types of symptoms that can play a part in how the individuals acts and behaves. Some of the symptoms can include loss of motivation, loss of interest or enjoyment in common activities, removal from social life, difficulty showing emotions and functioning normally. These symptoms are often mistaken for symptoms of depression or another type of mental illness.
Cognitive symptoms often include problems in attention, concentration, and memory. These symptoms can make it difficult to follow a conversation, learn new things, or remember appointments. Genetics, environment and brain function are generally contributing factors to the developmental stages of schizophrenia.
Effective treatments are available to help individuals engage in school or work, achieve better independence, and enjoy personal relationships. Seeking help as early as possible will help analyze the changes in thinking, mood, and social functioning. This analysis will help further develop an attainable treatment plan. The current treatments for schizophrenia focus on helping individuals manage their symptoms. Finding ways to better maintain day-to-day functioning and achieve personal life goals can help implement a positive change. Psychiatric medications, individual, group, and/or family counseling, coordinated specialty care and assertive community treatment are common treatments for schizophrenia. It is always best when there is a multidisciplinary team working together such as a psychiatrist/psychiatric ARNP, counselor, case manager, and peer if available.
There are programs that can help educate the family and friends of the individual with schizophrenia. The program will share information on both the symptoms and the treatment options available. These programs can help educate and better provide for the individual by finding ways their closest community can aid in their treatment.
SMA provides comprehensive care to people experiencing schizophrenia.
SMA provides the treatments and therapies listed above, utilizing teams that include psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, mental health counselors, social workers, nurses and peers. If you have questions or concerns about schizophrenia contact SMA’s Access Center at (800) 539-4228. We are here to help.