Health

Schizophrenia signs, causes, and treatment options

Schizophrenia signs, causes, and treatment options

Schizophrenia is a type of mental disorder in which patients interpret reality differently from what it usually is. In most people, schizophrenia will lead to absurd delusions and hallucinations. At times, the person’s behavior is hugely disordered, and that hampers his everyday functioning. In the long run, the disease can be disabling for the patient. Somebody diagnosed with schizophrenia will require a persisting treatment. It is crucial to start the treatment as early as possible, as it can go a long way in bringing the symptoms under control before it can develop into any severe complications.

Symptoms

Schizophrenia is followed by an array of issues, dealing with behavior, thought processes, and emotions. The symptoms or the signs of the disease might vary from one person to another. Some common symptoms include the following:

  • Hallucinations
    Hallucination translates to a person hearing or seeing things that do not exist in reality. Though hearing voices are the primary symptom of hallucination, it can manifest in other ways too.
  • Delusions
    Delusion implies believing something that is not real. For instance, if one thinks somebody’s actions, comments, or gestures are directed toward harassing or harming them, they’re delusional. Other examples of being delusional include believing that one has enormous fame or some unique ability, or believing that a particular person loves them when there’s never been any explicit expression of love.
  • Negative symptoms
    Negative symptoms imply a person’s inability or reduced ability to act normally. For instance, such a person might seemingly lack emotions (not change any expressions, communicate in a monotone, make no eye contact), or overlook personal hygiene. Furthermore, the person shows zero interest in day-to-day activities, is unable to experience emotions, or withdraws themself socially.
  • Disorganized speech or thought
    A person’s disordered thinking is primarily deduced from his or her disorganized speech. In this, the person’s ability to communicate effectively is hampered, and if you try to communicate with them, their answers to your questions are mostly unrelated. When a person has disorganized speech, he or she cannot put together words meaningfully, despite having complete knowledge of the language.
  • Abnormal motor behavior
    Now, this symptom might be noted in several ways. In this, the person showcases unpredictable agitation or childlike silliness. It gets hard for them to handle daily tasks. This might be followed by excessive or useless movements, resistance to taking instructions, weird postures, and total disinterest.

In general, the symptoms will vary in nature and might aggravate with time. Though some symptoms will always be present, there will be periods of remission and worsening in symptoms. In women, the symptoms of schizophrenia start in the late 20s, while in men, the symptoms begin in early or mid-20s. Schizophrenia is relatively uncommon in young children as well as adults over the age of 45.

  • Teenage Schizophrenia Symptoms
    The symptoms of schizophrenia in teenagers are fairly similar to the symptoms seen in adults. However, in teenagers, the condition is relatively hard to recognize. It is so because a lot of schizophrenia symptoms in teenagers are common to their typical development behavior, including the following:
  • Low motivation
  • Disturbed sleeping patterns
  • Withdrawal from family or friends
  • Performance drop in school
  • Constant irritability
  • Melancholic mood

In comparison to adults, teenagers with schizophrenia might be experiencing symptoms such as the following:

  • Higher visual hallucinations
  • Lesser delusions
  • Suicidal behavior and thoughts
    A lot of times, people with schizophrenia get suicidal behavior or thoughts. So, if you have a friend or a loved one who seems prone to trying it, ensure that they are never left alone. Also, inform the people closest to them about their extreme tendencies. On the other hand, if you know someone who attempted suicide, you should immediately call a local emergency helpline or 911. Try to take them safely to the nearest hospital as early as possible.

Causes

There’s no affirmation on the real cause of schizophrenia. However, experts believe that schizophrenia might be caused by a combination of environmental factors, genetics, and brain chemistry.

Issues with neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and dopamine, might also lead to schizophrenia.

There is a noted difference in the central nervous system and the brain structure of the people with schizophrenia. This is a clear indication of the fact that schizophrenia is a disease of the brain.

Risk factors

As discussed, nobody knows the real cause of schizophrenia. However, specific triggers might increase one’s risk of developing the disease. These include:

  • Birth or pregnancy complications, like exposure to viruses or toxins, or malnutrition
  • Somebody in the family has it
  • Consuming psychotropic or psychoactive drugs during the adolescent years

Complications

If nothing is done to treat schizophrenia, it can lead to some grave issues that might affect different areas of one’s life. A few complications associated with schizophrenia include the following:

  • Suicide thoughts or attempts
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder
  • Abuse of alcohol
  • Depression
  • Abuse of nicotine
  • Anxiety
  • Inability to focus on anything
  • Social isolation
  • Medical problems
  • Homelessness
  • Financial issues
  • Aggressive behavior
  • Being victimized

Diagnosis

For the diagnosis of schizophrenia, the medical health-care professional will try to rule out the possibility of other brain disorders. Further, he’ll ensure that the symptoms aren’t a result of any medication, substance abuse, or any other medical condition.

The diagnosis process will involve the following:

  • Physical examination
    It is done to rule out the presence of every other problem, which might contribute to the symptoms and complications.
  • Screening or tests
    Under this, one will have to undergo one or more imagery tests, such as CT scan or MRI.
  • Psychiatric evaluation
    Under this, one’s medical health professional will examine their mental health status by analyzing the demeanor and appearance and further questioning them about the hallucinations, moods, suicide tendencies, violent tendencies, delusions, or substance use. It will also involve a detailed discussion of one’s personal and family history.
  • Diagnostic criteria
    Under this, the health-care professional will use the DSM-5 criteria listed by the American Psychiatric Association for the diagnosis of schizophrenia.

Treatment measures

Even if the symptoms of schizophrenia subside, one will still require lifelong treatment for it. The use of psychosocial therapy and medications do a great job of managing the condition. However, in some extreme circumstances, hospitalization might be required too. The treatment will be handled by a psychiatrist and their team, including a psychiatric nurse, a social worker, a case manager, and a psychologist.

  • Medications
    The primary treatment of schizophrenia involves medication. In medicines, the most common form of the drug is the antipsychotic medications. These medications are known to reduce the symptoms by directly affecting dopamine, which is a neurotransmitter of the brain. The aim of the treatment with the use of antipsychotic medications is to manage the symptoms of schizophrenia in the lowest grade of dosage. For this, the psychiatrist will try different doses, drugs, or the combinations over time to achieve a desirable result. There are a few other medicines, too, such as anti-anxiety medicines or antidepressants, which might be helpful. However, one might see an improvement only after regular consumption of drugs for at least a few weeks.

Since schizophrenia medications might have a few side effects, people might show reluctance in taking their medicines. The willingness of the patient to take the medication will also have an impact on the choice of the drug. For instance, a patient who shows reluctance in taking medicines will have to take an injected dosage over a pill. It is best to speak to one’s doctor about the plausible side effects and the benefits of the medications before one consumes them.

  • Antipsychotics – second-generation
    It is a newer medication type that is preferred these days; it has a lower degree of side effects than the antipsychotics of the first generation.

Some of the medications of the second generation include the following:

  • Quetiapine (Seroquel)
  • Brexpiprazole (Rexulti)
  • Asenapine (Saphris)
  • Iloperidone (Fanapt)
  • Ziprasidone (Geodon)
  • Cariprazine (Vraylar)
  • Clozapine (Clozaril)
  • Risperidone (Risperdal)
  • Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
  • Lurasidone (Latuda)
  • Aripiprazole (Abilify)
  • Paliperidone (Invega)
  • Antipsychotics – first-generation
    This form of medication has significant and frequent side effects, such as developing tardive dyskinesia, a type of movement disorder.

Some of the medications of the first generation include the following:

  • Perphenazine
  • Chlorpromazine
  • Fluphenazine
  • Haloperidol

Usually, the first-generation antipsychotics are less costly than the second-generation antipsychotics. It is particularly true for the generic versions that are taken mostly in case of long-term treatment.

  • Injectable antipsychotics
    There are a few antipsychotics, which are either given as subcutaneous or intramuscular injections. Such drugs are injected every 2 to 4 weeks. The duration will vary depending upon the dosage and the type of medication. For someone who prefers pills less, this could be a good alternative.

Some injectable antipsychotics include the following:

  • Risperidone
  • Aripiprazole
  • Paliperidone
  • Haloperidol decanoate
  • Fluphenazine decanoate
  • Psychosocial interventions
    After a decline in psychosis, there will be social and psychological interventions (psychosocial) needed, in addition to therapy and medication. This will include the following:
  • Training of social skills
    In this, the key focus is on improving the social interactions and the communication of the patient. It helps him participate better in day-to-day activities.
  • Individual therapy
    Psychotherapy is extremely useful in stabilizing the thought process of an individual. Further, it betters their ability to deal with the disease and identify any possible relapse or warning signs.
  • Family therapy
    It is a counseling, education, and support measure that is meant for the families tackling schizophrenia.
  • Vocational rehabilitation
    In this, the focus is on helping patients of schizophrenia find a decent job and keep it.

Usually, anyone who has schizophrenia will need some form of regular support. Some programs and communities are explicitly running to help the people with schizophrenia deal with a crisis, find a home or alternative shelter, and look for stable jobs. There will be a case manager assigned to the patient. He’ll be a part of the treatment team. At any time, one can reach out to them for finding resources. Rest assured, with the right and timely treatment, schizophrenia patients can certainly overcome illness.

  • Hospitalization
    If the symptoms are severe, and there’s a crisis, a schizophrenia patient might be required to be hospitalized. This is a necessary measure to ensure that basic hygiene, sleep, nutrition, and the patient safety are in place.
  • Electroconvulsive therapy
    If somebody shows no improvement with drug therapy, then doctors will use electroconvulsive therapy. This therapy is helpful for a patient with depression.

Schizophrenia and diet

A few changes in one’s diet can keep triggers in check. So, the addition and deletion of certain food items from the diet are only necessary. However, before eliminating or adding a food item in the diet, one should consult a doctor because something that might trigger schizophrenia in others, might not do the same for them.

  • What to eat?
  • Fruits
    Try to eat fruits that are a good source of fiber. These include apples, raspberries, and pears.
  • Vegetables
    Add vegetables like kidney beans, spinach, sweet potatoes, and lima beans in the diet.
  • Omega-3 fatty acid foods
    Either take omega-3 supplements or chia seeds, hemp seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts, kidney beans, soybean, edamame, etc.
  • Non-dairy yogurt
    Including non-dairy yogurt over dairy yogurt can help avoid schizophrenia triggers.
  • What to avoid?
  • Wheat or bread
    Try to avoid bread or wheat if that triggers symptoms of schizophrenia.
  • Refined sugars
    Cut out the refined sugar from the diet to prevent schizophrenia triggers. It is found in candy, sweetened drinks, and cake.
  • Dairy
    Try to cut down on dairy as well as whey products, as they have casein antibodies in them.

Prevention

To be honest, there’s no way that one can prevent schizophrenia. However, if one has schizophrenia, it is best to stick to the treatment suggested by their doctor. It can prevent the worsening or the relapse of the symptoms. Further, awareness about the symptoms and the triggers of schizophrenia can also ensure earlier diagnosis and cure.

Editors Choice