Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder in which people interpret reality abnormally. Schizophrenia is defined as a type of psychosis.

What Are the Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

Unrealistic thoughts and beliefs, audio-visual hallucinations, meaningless behavior and speech are shown as disruption of effective communication. Schizophrenia involves a series of problems with thought, behavior, and emotions. Signs and symptoms can vary. However, it often includes delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech and reflects dysfunction. Symptoms of schizophrenia can be explained as follows: Delusions: They are false beliefs that are not based on reality. For example, in the person; There may be thoughts that she has been harmed or harassed, that certain actions or comments are directed at her, that she has extraordinary talent or reputation, that someone else is in love with her. Delusions occur in most people with schizophrenia.Hallucinations: Generally, they involve seeing or hearing things that do not exist. Hallucinations can occur in any sense, but hearing voices is the most common hallucination. Disorganized thinking (speech): Communication may be impaired and answers to questions may be partially or completely unrelated. Speech can sometimes involve putting together meaningless words that cannot be understood, known as word salad. Extremely Irregular or Abnormal Motor Behavior: The behavior is not focused on a target. Therefore, it is difficult to perform tasks. The behavior may include resistance to instructions, inappropriate or awkward posture, or unnecessary and excessive movement. Negative symptoms: It means a decrease or absence of ability to function. For example, the person may neglect personal hygiene or appear emotionless (not making eye contact, changing facial expressions, or speaking monotonously). Also, the person may lose interest in daily activities, become socially withdrawn, or lack the ability to enjoy.

How Is Schizophrenia Treated?

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that requires long-term treatment. Medication: Medication is primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia. A long-term and regular treatment plan is created under the follow-up of a psychiatrist. With drug treatment, it is aimed to reduce the symptoms of the disease and to reduce the likelihood of periods when the symptoms become more severe. In this process, it is very important for the patient to comply with the treatment and to inform the doctor about the process. With this cooperation, the patient's drug treatment is rearranged according to the process. Antipsychotic drugs are used in the treatment of the disease. Antipsychotics greatly reduce the overt psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia and greatly reduce the negative symptoms. Medications are the cornerstone of schizophrenia treatment. The goal of treatment with medications is to effectively manage signs and symptoms at the lowest possible dose. The psychiatrist may try different drugs, different doses or combinations over time to achieve the desired result. Other medications, such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications, may also help. It may take several weeks to notice an improvement in symptoms. Psychosocial support: In schizophrenia, in addition to continuing drug therapy, psychological and social interventions are also important. Psychosocial support may include: Individual therapy: Psychotherapy can help normalize thought patterns. Also, learning to cope with stress and detecting early warning signs of relapse can help people with schizophrenia manage their illness. Social skills training: Focuss on improving communication and social interactions, the ability to participate in daily activities. Family Therapy: Provides support and education to families struggling with schizophrenia. Vocational rehabilitation: Focuses on helping people with schizophrenia find a job and continue working. Schizophrenia is a clinical syndrome that benefits greatly from treatment. With the treatment, very pleasing changes are observed in the lives of the patients and their relatives.