What are schizophrenia symptoms and it’s coping tips
Schizophrenia!! The name itself gives a spine-chilling, hair-raising sensation. Thanks to the latest advancement in the field of medical science, though schizophrenia is not completely curable but it is definitely treatable. Best psychiatrist in Delhi for schizophrenia prescribe medications or psychotherapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) depending upon the criticality of the patient. Early diagnosis of this mental illness may help get symptoms under control before serious complications develop. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI or blood tests,electroencephalogram (EEG) are some of the tests prescribe by the best psychiatrist in Delhi as well as in India to diagnose this condition. As it is rightly said ‘Prevention is better than cure’, healthcare providers always advise keeping an eye on your near and dear ones because symptoms of schizophrenia usually appear first in early youth leading to poor school performance, lack of memory and concentration, and such similar symptoms. Never ignore such subtle signs, talk to your near and dear ones, learn about his/ her problems and difficult, offer support, empathy and motivation and if required visit your nearest healthcare provider for diagnosis and right treatment.
Schizophrenia!! The name itself gives a spine-chilling, hair-raising sensation. Thanks to the latest advancement in the field of medical science, though schizophrenia is not completely curable but it is definitely treatable. Best psychiatrist in Delhi for schizophrenia prescribe medications or psychotherapy or electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) depending upon the criticality of the patient. Early diagnosis of this mental illness may help get symptoms under control before serious complications develop. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI or blood tests,electroencephalogram (EEG) are some of the tests prescribe by the best psychiatrist in Delhi as well as in India to diagnose this condition. As it is rightly said ‘Prevention is better than cure’, healthcare providers always advise keeping an eye on your near and dear ones because symptoms of schizophrenia usually appear first in early youth leading to poor school performance, lack of memory and concentration, and such similar symptoms. Never ignore such subtle signs, talk to your near and dear ones, learn about his/ her problems and difficult, offer support, empathy and motivation and if required visit your nearest healthcare provider for diagnosis and right treatment.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a chronic mental disorder involving disconnection from the reality resulting in some combination of hallucinations, delusions, and extremely disordered thinking and behaviour that impairs day to day activity of an individual, and can be life threatening as well. Though this is a severe condition, early diagnosis and treatment can give a healthy and fulfilling life off course with lifelong medical treatment.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Positive symptoms of Schizophrenia implies presence of symptoms instead of absence and thus can be diagnosed easily and necessary treatment can offered to the patient.
Some of the common positive symptoms of schizophrenia are listed below:
Hallucinations: People suffering from schizophrenia experience hallucinations whereby they might hear voices, see, feel, taste, or smell things that does not exist in reality.
Delusions: In this condition, a patient has a fixed belief about something regardless of the evidence which may include being stalked, hunted, framed, or tricked, public forms of communication, like song lyrics or a gesture from a TV host, are a special message just for them, terrible illness or detoriating health condition for instance damage from cosmic rays, others are attempting to control them remotely, having a special relationship with a deity or having extraordinary powers or abilities.
Confused thoughts and disorganized speech: Patients with schizophrenia have difficulty organizing their thoughts. While talking their speech is jumbled and does not make sense.
Trouble concentrating: Patients with schizophrenia lack concentration on their day to day activity.
Movement disorders: Though people suffering from schizophrenia aren’t violet, at times they can repeat the same movement over and over again while at some other times they are stationary for long hours.
Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia
When the normal mental function viz. thinking, behavior, and perception of an individual are missing, such condition is treated as negative symptom of schizophrenia.
Some of the common negative symptoms of schizophrenia are listed below:
Lack of pleasure: At times, schizophrenia may lead to anhedonia, a condition in which a person seem to not enjoy anything anymore.
Trouble with speech: Alogia, another condition seen in patients with schizophrenia whereby an individual do not talk much or show any feelings.
Flattening:Affective flattening is a condition seen in some patients with schizophrenia in which their voice sound flat in all situations without any display of emotion. For instance, they may not smile normally or show usual facial emotions in response to conversations or things happening around them.
Withdrawal: Apathy is also a condition evidenced in patients with schizophrenia in which the individual stops socializing or becomes a hermit.
Struggling with the basics of daily life: Sometimes it have also been observed that patients with schizophrenia struggle with their daily activities of life. For instance, they may stop bathing or taking care of themselves.
No follow-through: Another significant symptom of schizophrenia is such patients have trouble staying on schedule or finishing what they start, a condition also called avolition.
Cognitive Symptoms & Thinking Problems
Such symptoms signify an individual with schizophrenia have difficulty with their working memory which may lead to difficulty in keeping track of different kinds of facts at the same time, like a phone number plus instructions. In addition, another major symptom of this illness is difficulty in organizing thoughts and making decisions.
Treatment/ Coping Tips for Schizophrenia
As already mentioned in the introductory section, treatment for schizophrenia is usually life-long and best psychiatrist in Delhi for schizophrenia often prescribe a combination of medications, psychotherapy and coordinated speciality care services.
Medications: Medications are the first line of treatment offered by best psychiatrist in Delhi for schizophrenia and antipsychotic medications are the most commonly prescribed drugs in such a situation as these have proved to control symptoms of schizophrenia by affecting the brain neurotransmitter dopamine by applying in lowest dose. Some common medications for this illness include olanzapine (Zyprexa), ziprasidone (Geodon), risperidone (Risperdal), clozapine (Clozaril).
Psychosocial interventions: In this type of treatment, psychological and social (psychosocial) therapies are applied along with medications.
- Individual therapy: In psychotherapy, patients with schizophrenia learn to cope with stress and identify early warning signs of relapse which in turn normalize their thought patterns.
- Social skills training: In this treatment, patients are taught to improve their communication and social interaction skill including their ability to participate in daily activities.
- Family therapy: In this type of treatment, all family members of a patient with schizophrenia are offered necessary support and education to deal with schizophrenia.
- Vocational rehabilitation and supported employment: This type of treatment offers patients prepare for, find and keep jobs.
- Electroconvulsive therapy: This treatment is prescribed by best psychiatrist in Delhi for schizophrenia when patients do not respond to other treatments. In this case, a generalized seizure is electrically induced in the brain while the patient is under anesthesia.
Coordinated special care: Such treatment involves applying medication, family involvement, and education services in a holistic manner.
With the advent of new technology in the field of medical science, various treatment techniques have been introduced and many are in the stage of research and development. Yet, the best psychiatrist for schizophrenia in Delhi advice family members and the loved ones of such patients to offer the needed love, care and support for a fulfilling life.
