Diagnosis And Treatment Of Schizophrenia

According to the World Health Organization or WHO, Schizophrenia is a severe form of mental illness affecting 7 per thousand of the adult population, mostly in the age group of 15-35 years. This serious disorder of the mind and brain is characterized by the disintegration of the patient's thought processes and emotional responsiveness. The illness involves symptoms such as hearing internal voices that are not heard by others or believing that others can read and control their thoughts. The affected people are likely to suffer from additional conditions such as depression and anxiety disorders. Social problems like unemployment, poverty and homelessness are also quite common amongst the schizophrenia patients. This mental disorder is definitely treatable but the effectiveness of treatment is dependant on how early it is started.

Facts about Schizophrenia

Here are certain facts about Schizophrenia

• This problem affects about 24 million worldwide


• It is a treatable disorder with the treatment being more effective in the initial stages


• Over 50% of the affected people are not receiving appropriate care.


• 90% people with untreated schizophrenia are in the developing nations


• Schizophrenia patients can be provided adequate care at a community level with the active participation of their families.


• Schizophrenia affects men and women with equal frequency but the disorder often appears in men usually in the late teens or early twenties.

Schizophrenia as an Illness and its Symptoms

Found all across the world, Schizophrenia is a severe mental illness whose symptoms are often severe and long lasting. The chronic pattern of this illness often causes high degree of disability amongst the patients. Although several medications and other treatments are available and can reduce and control the distressing symptoms, some people may not benefit from them. The social stigma, the lost opportunities and medication side effects can play havoc with a person's mind and force him/her to discontinue treatment. The major symptoms of Schizophrenia are:

• Distorted perception of reality


• Hallucinations and Illusions


• Delusions


• Disordered thinking and Inability to concentrate


• Inability to behave normally and have diminished emotional expressions


• Changing behavior and appearing normal at times


• Withdrawal from the society and preference for remaining alone

Since the exact cause of schizophrenia is known, available treatments focus on reducing the symptoms and to lessen the chances that they will recur. In case of patients suffering from chronic schizophrenia which involves recurring pattern of illness, long term treatment is essential to control the various symptoms.

Diagnosis of Schizophrenia

Mental symptoms or psychosis can also occur due to several undetected medical conditions. So before concluding that a person is suffering from schizophrenia,

• His medical industry should be taken


• A physical examination and laboratory tests should be conducted to rule out other possible causes like seizure disorders, metabolic disorders, thyroid disfunction, brain tumor etc of the prevalent symptoms.


• These symptoms could be due to an excess usage or abuse of a drug.


• Some patients may be actual suffering from a bipolar disorder or major depressive disorder.

Persons whose symptoms cannot be clearly categorized are sometimes diagnosed as having a "schizoaffective disorder."

Treatment of Schizophrenia

Antipsychotic medications are used to reduce the psychotic symptoms associated with schizophrenia. These medications generally allow a patient to function in a normal manner. However, these drugs do not cure schizophrenia or ensure that there will be no further psychotic episodes. The choice and the dosage of medication can only be made by a physician trained in treating mental disorders. The dosage of these medicines may vary from patient to patient depending on the symptoms witnessed by them and their severity. Continued drug treatment does not prevent relapses but reduces their intensity and frequency. It is imperative that schizophrenia patients adhere to their treatment plan diligently.

A treatment found to have been successful in reducing the various symptoms associated with Schizophrenia is Abilify a prescription medicine. The drug is quite effective in reducing symptoms like hearing of voices, having disturbing thoughts, feeling confused and lacking interest in certain things.