Schizophrenia: Symptoms, Side Effects, and Treatment

Schizophrenia is a serious, chronic mental health condition that affects about 2.8 million American adults. It can affect a person’s behavior, thoughts, and emotions. 

People with schizophrenia may feel a detachment from reality. This can cause significant distress for those living with this condition and others around them. 

The symptoms of schizophrenia can make it challenging to function. However, effective treatments to manage symptoms are available.

This article will explore schizophrenia and how to treat it. You will learn:

• The symptoms of schizophrenia
• Risk factors for schizophrenia
• What treatment is available to manage schizophrenia
• Where to find schizophrenia treatment

If you or someone you love lives with schizophrenia, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Healthcare specialists to explore our treatment and support programs. Reach out with questions or to set up an intake appointment. 

What are the Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a severe mental health condition. It can cause serious symptoms that interfere with a person’s functioning, relationships, and other aspects of their life. People typically experience symptoms of psychosis between the ages of 16 and 30.

Schizophrenia has psychotic, cognitive, and negative symptoms. Here is an overview of the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Psychotic symptoms

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that can cause psychotic symptoms. Psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia include:

• Hallucinations: Seeing, smelling, hearing, feeling, or tasting things that are not real. Hearing voices is one of the most common hallucinations in schizophrenia.
• Delusions: Believing something that is not true or seems irrational to others.
• Thought disorders: having difficulty organizing thoughts and speech, thinking unusually, using made-up words, etc. 

These symptoms can cause people with schizophrenia to have a hard time determining what is real and what is not. 

Negative symptoms

Negative symptoms of schizophrenia include:

• Loss of motivation
• Losing interest in daily activities or hobbies
• Withdrawing from their social life
• Finding it difficult to express emotions

Daily activities like grocery shopping and work can be very challenging. People with schizophrenia may avoid interacting with others. They may speak slowly or in a monotone voice. 

Cognitive symptoms

Schizophrenia can cause cognitive symptoms that impair functioning. Cognitive symptoms include:

• Impaired memory, attention, or concentration
• Difficulty processing information
• Impaired decision-making ability
• Inability to use information after learning it
• Difficulty maintaining focus on a task

People with schizophrenia may struggle to follow conversations, remember information, or learn new information. These symptoms can significantly impair daily functioning. 

In many cases, people may exhibit changes in mood, thinking, and behavior before an initial psychotic episode. The sooner you recognize the signs of schizophrenia, the sooner you can seek treatment. 

What are the Risk Factors for Schizophrenia?

Mental health professionals believe several factors can contribute to a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia. Here is an overview of some factors that may impact a person’s risk of schizophrenia.

Genetics

Many mental health experts believe that genetics may play a role in your risk of developing schizophrenia. This means having a close family member with schizophrenia may indicate a higher risk of developing the condition. 

However, having a family member with schizophrenia does not mean you or other family members will develop it. Experts believe there are several genes involved in developing psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. 

Brain structure and function

Research shows structural differences between the brains of people with schizophrenia and those who do not have it. Experts believe brain development that occurs before birth may be responsible for some of these differences. 

Environmental factors

Research seems to show that environmental factors may contribute to a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia. These factors include:

• Exposure to viruses
• Prenatal nutrition problems
• Living in poverty
• Chronic exposure to stress or a dangerous environment

Some mental health experts believe genetic and environmental factors are the most significant risk factors for developing schizophrenia.

Treatment for Schizophrenia

Treatment for schizophrenia involves medications, therapy, and lifestyle changes. People diagnosed with schizophrenia must receive comprehensive treatment. Holistic care and treatment can help them manage their symptoms and improve daily functioning. 

Here is an overview of treatment for schizophrenia.

Medications

People with schizophrenia may take antipsychotic medications to reduce psychotic symptoms. People may take daily pills or liquid medications, or they may receive injections once or twice a month.

Psychosocial treatment and education

People may participate in psychosocial treatment to increase resilience and manage symptoms. Those who attend individual treatment and support groups may have fewer symptoms. They may also learn skills that support better relationships, work performance, and other aspects.

Education

Educational programs can teach friends and family about this condition and long-term treatment. People with schizophrenia can learn about managing the condition, community resources, and other support. 

Contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for more information about education and support groups.

Coordinated care

Coordinated care involves a team of professionals who support people with a recent schizophrenia diagnosis. The team may consist of:

• Social workers
• Health care providers
• Case management
• Employment and education support workers
• Family education and support staff
• Psychotherapists

Treatment teams provide compassionate, coordinated support that can help people manage their symptoms effectively. This can improve functioning and overall quality of life for people with schizophrenia. 

Find Schizophrenia Treatment in Florida

If you or someone you love needs treatment for schizophrenia or another mental health condition in Florida, you are not alone. Contact the Agape Behavioral Healthcare team to explore our mental health treatment and recovery programs. 

References:

1. World Health Organization (WHO): Schizophrenia
2. National Institute of Health (NIH): Schizophrenia: Overview and Treatment Options
3. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Understanding Schizophrenia
4. American Journal of Managed Care (AJMC): An Update on Current Treatment Strategies and Emerging Agents for the Management of Schizophrenia