What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a severe mental health disorder that causes individuals to hallucinate and have extremely disordered thinking. The symptoms associated with schizophrenia can be debilitating for those who live with it. Treatment can help schizophrenia patients integrate better into society and function normally but is usually lifelong and is most beneficial when started early on.
What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia causes various problems associated with cognition, behavior, and emotions. While symptoms will vary depending on the different types of schizophrenia, some of the most common symptoms include:
- Delusions or false beliefs
- Hallucinations that can be visual or auditory
- Disorganized thinking and speech
- Abnormal motor behavior
If you’re experiencing signs of schizophrenia, talk to your healthcare professional.
What causes schizophrenia?
The cause of schizophrenia is unknown. A combination of genetics, brain chemistry, and environmental factors typically contribute to the diagnosis. Abnormalities in brain chemicals such as dopamine and glutamate likely contribute to schizophrenia. Brain scans show different structures in the brains of patients with schizophrenia when compared to the brains of those who do not have the disease. These findings tell us that schizophrenia is a brain-related issue. Other risk factors for schizophrenia include a family history of schizophrenia, psychoactive drugs during teen years and early adulthood, and pregnancy complications such as malnutrition and toxin exposure. Schizophrenia can also lead to other mental health conditions such as suicidal ideations, anxiety, and depression.
How do you treat schizophrenia?
Treatment for schizophrenia involves antipsychotic medications and different forms of therapy. Doctors may prescribe either first-generation or second-generation antipsychotic medications to patients with schizophrenia. Patients with schizophrenia will need to be on medications for their entire life, and adhering to medications can be challenging given the side effects that they typically cause. Psychotherapy can help patients with schizophrenia identify thought patterns and adhere to treatment. Family therapy is a helpful resource for families who are dealing with schizophrenia. Social counseling is another great option for patients with schizophrenia since it can help with communication and other social skills to help schizophrenia patients with daily activities.
The Power of Schizophrenia Support Groups
Living with schizophrenia can make it challenging to connect with friends and family members. As a result, you may feel isolated and lonely. But you’re not alone.
At The Mighty, we believe no one should have to learn how to manage schizophrenia on their own. Our online schizophrenia support group provides a safe space for people living with schizophrenia to come together. Every day in our online community, thousands of Mighty members talk, share and collaborate.
From sharing advice on navigating personal relationships, to helpful tips for managing schizophrenia symptoms, The Mighty’s online schizophrenia support group gives you the resources you need.
Connections that Care
As much as they may want to, our loved ones can’t always give us the support we need. Connecting with peers who understand what you’re going through in an open and honest schizophrenia support forum doesn’t just make you feel heard, it gives you the resources you need to build a life you love.
In The Mighty’s schizophrenia support group online, you’ll learn powerful coping strategies from thousands of people living with schizophrenia. From quick tips for navigating the day-to-day to real-life insights on bigger picture topics, our members come together to build one centralized hub of knowledge.
You’ll also gain unlimited access to the latest news, medical research, and educational content about schizophrenia. Members can also help each other find local events, schizophrenia family support groups in their area, and more.
For unconditional schizophrenia support, join The Mighty today.
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