There are myths and plenty of misconceived notions about people diagnosed with schizophrenia disorder. What do you think when you hear that diagnosis? Do you just think that the person is doomed? You just probably need some information.
First.Schizophrenia is a brain disease. It is severe and often disabling. A schizophrenic is suffering from psychosis--an illness that causes severe mental disturbances that disrupt normal thoughts, speech, and behavior.
Second.What are the symptoms?
1. Delusions are a common symptom. Delusions are when the person has false beliefs about something such as they are being followed everywhere they go.
2. Hallucinations are another common symptom. Hallucinations are disturbances in sensory perception. For instance, if you see a homeless person talking to themselves--they probably are talking to a person they believe is there talking to them.
3. Disorganized speech and thinking.
4. Catatonic behavior. Not a very common symptom.
5. Negative symptoms which may include things like blunted affect, reduced speech, lack of motivation, lack of pleasure, and some attention deficit.
Third.There is a successful treatment model for people suffering from schizophrenia. It is not hopeless. The goal is to reduce the number of and severity of symptoms, and preventing psychotic relapses. Like most illnesses, treatment for schizophrenia is more effective when begun early in the illness. Schizophrenia is also treated with some sort of antipsychotic medication.
Once the severe symptoms have been reduced, physicians will usually use a combination of medicine and rehabilitation interventions. People suffering from schizophrenia can manage this very serious disease. If they can manage their psychosis with medication, follow their treatment plan, and hopefully have some sort of support system behind them -- they can work, have relationships, and live rewarding lives.
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A good example of living with this disease is portrayed in: A Beautiful Mind, starring Russell Crowe
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Lisa Angelettie, M.S.W., is a psychotherapist, writer, and speaker. She has been helping clients with all types of life issues since 1998. She is the Founder and Director of www.GirlShrink.com, a site that offers expert online advice, counseling and coaching for women on a variety of issues such as relationships, mental health and more. Get information about our free advice & other services by Clicking Here.
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