Learn More About How Schizophrenia Works

Conditions of the mind are some of the most misunderstood that exist today. While great strides have been taken, there are still many misconceptions about mental health and brain disorders. Schizophrenia is one of the most misunderstood and important brain conditions that people can have. 

Getting a better understanding of schizophrenia will allow people to better understand the symptoms of it when they appear. Knowledge also increases the potential of receiving appropriate treatment. This is especially important for people with schizophrenia, as treatment is a lifelong endeavor. The early symptoms are under control, the better the long term outlook of this disease. Many people are afraid of schizophrenics due to them having to deal with self delusions and sometimes hallucinations. However, schizophrenics are just like any other people. They merely need to get treatment for their condition. 

Causes of Schizophrenia

The exact cause of schizophrenia hasn’t entirely been determined. Despite that, there are several things that are believed to combine together to cause this issue. Currently, most medical researchers have deemed genetics to be the main thing in regards to causing schizophrenia. However, environmental factors and brain chemistry are also thought to contribute. Brain chemistry in particular is thought to play a real role. Brain images of people with schizophrenia show differences in the structure of the brain. This confirms that schizophrenia is a brain condition. 

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia will often develop during the teenage years. However, the symptoms of schizophrenia often mimic a lot of the symptoms of puberty and simply growing up as a teen. These symptoms are more obvious during adulthood. Symptoms of schizophrenia during teen years include: 

• Issues Sleeping
• Depression
• Struggles at School
• No Motivation
• Alienating Family and Friends

The main symptoms during adulthood are more severe. Specifically delusions and hallucinations are far more likely for adults than teenagers. The symptoms during adulthoods are: 

• Delusions and Hallucinations - People with schizophrenia often suffer from paranoid delusions that they are being threatened or are a famous person. Some believe they have super powers. The hallucinations are a visualized aspect of the delusions. Many people will schizophrenia will see things that aren’t there.
• Weak Motor Skills - The abnormal motor skills can occur in a number of ways for each person. It can make simple day to day tasks difficult. Many also struggle with posture. 
• Disorganized Speech - Communication can be impaired for people with schizophrenia. Sometimes, meaningless words are combined into nonsense sentences. Other times, people will answer questions that weren’t asked. 

Treatment of Schizophrenia

Treatment of schizophrenia should start as soon as possible. If people are unable to treat it, they become risk of self injury or suicide. Many suffer from depression or severe addictions like alcohol or drugs. Untreated, many people isolate themselves socially, and find themselves unable to work. 

Treatment will usually start with medication. People with schizophrenia will meet with psychiatrists. They will work to determine treatment and the types of medication necessary. These medications work to alter the brain chemistry and return it to as normal as possible. Ideally, doctors will try to ensure that people are taking the absolute minimum amount of these drugs as they are certainly prone to side effects. Some other medications can be taken to try to assist with depression or anxiety. 

Therapy is the other main aspect to treatment. There are a few different kinds of therapy available. Individual therapy works one on one with each person to help them understand warning signs of relapse and to manage the worst of their symptoms. Social skills training is effective at helping people handle day to day activities of school or work. Finally, some undergo a vocational therapy or a supported employment status. This works to help people with schizophrenic find a job they are comfortable with and succeed at it.