All You Need to Know on Schizophrenia

Mental illness have, for long been stigmatized as untreatable conditions, and most communities often hold them as taboo that should be passed over without any consideration. This is a very discouraging trend, which leaves plenty of people suffering in silence. In most cases than not, many of them are left to their devices and form ineffective coping mechanisms to alleviate their predicament.  Schizophrenia happens to be one of the most rampant mental disorders, and is usually characterized by an altered perspective towards reality. This can affect how such individuals perceive their immediate environment. For instance, many often claim to hear or see things that are non-existent. On the other hand, these unfortunate people frequently harbor detrimental and conflicting concepts. This may include assertions that other people can read their minds or even an unflinching belief that individuals around them might be trying to harm them. 

This state of affairs, leads such people to withdraw from their loved ones and the whole world in general, preferring to embrace reclusive lifestyles. According to psychologists, schizophrenia mostly occurs during teenagehood and young adulthood. Nevertheless, it has also been known to occur at advanced stages of life. Also, it has been established males are more prone to develop this mental condition when compared to females. Schizophrenia can affect the ability of such persons to carry out their obligations in life including learning and even working, and if it's not tackled promptly, can disrupt the patient's capability of taking care of themselves.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

This ailment usually manifests itself in 5 ways, which are hallucinations, delusions, unintelligible speech, disorganized behavior, and lastly "negative" symptoms. These symptoms, however, don't comprehensively cover all those associated with schizophrenia. As it is, symptoms might vary from one patient to another in terms of severity. 

Hallucinations

Hallucinations infer to patients "hearing" voices or even seeing things that others people don't. Despite the fact hallucinations related to schizophrenia affect all the 5 senses, auditory and visual hallucinations are the most prevalent symptoms of this disease. In most cases, many patients often report that these voices or visions are almost always derogatory and offensive; attacking their self esteem, and perception of reality. 

Delusions

Schizophrenia delusions are misconceived beliefs such people perceive to be real, in spite conclusive evidence against such misconceptions. These symptoms are deemed to be the most prevalent signs attributable to this condition and research has shown that over 90% of persons suffering from this disease experience them. 

Some of the most common types of delusions include:

• Delusions of persecution
• Delusions of grandeur 
• Delusions of control
• Delusions of reference

Incoherent/unintelligible speech

People with schizophrenia normally experience concentration challenges, which significantly affect how they process and express their thoughts. Typically, such individuals respond to questions with illogical and totally irrelevant words and ideas.

Disorganized behavior 

Schizophrenia can also be diagnosed by a patient's neglect of their personal hygiene, and reluctance to engage in productive activities. This bars such persons from maintaining gainful employment or even interact with their loved ones. In turn, this forces them to adopt reclusive lifestyles.

Negative symptoms

Negative symptoms include a diminished outlook towards their day to day life, social withdrawal and emotional insulation. This prompt schizophrenia patients to detach themselves from reality, and live in a make-believe world that fits into their perception of normal livelihood. 

Treatment & management of schizophrenia 

Unlike what some people believe, schizophrenia, despite being chronic, is to some level manageable. With timely and accurate diagnosis, a comprehensive treatment plan and therapy, most patients will be able to lead productive, meaningful and fulfilling lives with decreased dependence on their families and friends. Yet, it's important to note that the medications used to manage this mental disorder don't cure it, but merely reduce the psychotic symptoms patients exhibit. This might include the aforementioned delusions, hallucinations, and impaired judgment. The most effective medicine most psychiatrists prescribe are antipsychotic drugs that are renowned for their capabilities to alleviate most of the symptoms of schizophrenia.