Schizophrenia: causes, symptoms, and treatment

Schizophrenia: Symptoms, causes & Treatment.Help

"Schizophrenia" is a chronic psychiatric disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels and behaves. The individual can experience distortions in thinking, sense of self and emotions.  He/she often face difficulty at distinguishing reality from fantasy, expressing and managing normal emotions.

The individual may hear imaginary voices and believe that others have fitted cameras in their house or tapped their phones, controlling their thoughts or plotting to harm them.

Hearing of imaginary voices and beliefs of others reading their minds, spying against them or controlling their thoughts are some characteristic symptoms of schizophrenia. Often there is a lack of insight in those who are suffering from these symptoms. As a result they may not agree to seek treatment as they would consider such symptoms to be real.

Outwardly, the individual can appear unresponsive, withdrawn or agitated. Because the condition is not well understood by people, those who suffer from schizophrenia often have to face severe stigma and neglect by the society.

It is estimated that about 10 percent of those suffering from schizophrenia commit suicide in the first 10 years of illness.

What causes Schizophrenia?

The cause is multifactorial. There is no specific but variety of factors and interactions between them contribute to the development of illness.

• Genetics
• Environment
• Biological: Brain chemistry and its development

At what age can Schizophrenia happen?

The symptoms typically may start between the age of 20 to 30 years, and rarely after the age of 45 yrs. Both men and women are equally affected by schizophrenia. Lately, childhood onset schizophrenia is on rise

The initial symptoms can be very subtle and difficult to identify. They may start as isolating oneself and withdrawing from others, an increase in unusual thoughts and suspicions, and a family history of psychosis. This early stage of the disorder is called the “prodromal” period.

Can Schizophrenia be treated?

It can be treated. Recovery is possible, especially if diagnosed at the early stages and treated continuously. The treatment and management includes use of antipsychotic medications and Behavioural therapy.

Those with acute symptoms, such as severe delusions or hallucinations, suicidal thoughts or the inability to care for oneself, may require hospitalisation. Often there is also associated problems of Depression, Anxiety problem, alcohol use and smoking, cannabis use, etc.

With advances of newer psychiatric medications, the success rate of treatment is very good. Medications are essentially needed to reduce psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. They work on brain's neurotransmitter system which is implicated in causation of schizophrenia symptoms. Once the positive symptoms are reduced, Cognitive and behavioural therapy can then help “retrain” the brain once symptoms are reduced.

However, the use of counselling and therapies in the patient suffering from schizophrenia is often limited due to their lack of insight in the problem. Familial education and social support are very crucial and major determinants of the treatment outcomes. Most importantly, failure to recognise and treat can lead to worsening of the disorder and cause permanent disability.

As with any illness, the treatment should be tailored to a specific individual. At Mind Matters clinic, we go beyond providing consultation service to offer you a complete solution. Our aim is to rehabilitate and help the patient to be happier and lead an independent life.

If you or a loved one is struggling with psychiatric problem, please contact us today.