Schizophrenia touches all aspects of your life, whether you or a loved one are experiencing it. It affects how you think, how you behave, and how you feel. Schizophrenia requires lifelong treatment.
Banyan Mental Health understands this. Our schizophrenia treatment centers aim to help you or your loved one get the necessary treatment when and where it's needed most. The sooner treatment begins, the better the prognosis.
Understanding Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a type of psychotic disorder. It's not common, as it affects less than 1% of the population. But it can severely impact your quality of life.
One of the defining features of schizophrenia is a disconnect from reality. A person with schizophrenia may believe that they are hearing or seeing things that aren't there. They may develop delusions or beliefs that have no basis in reality.
Delusions can take multiple forms. Some people may believe that a person on the internet, TV, or radio is trying to communicate with them. Some may believe that others are out to hurt them or that they are in grave danger. Some people may believe they are exceptionally talented and on the path toward fame when in fact they are not.
Another common symptom of schizophrenia is disorganized thinking or speech. It can be hard to have a conversation with someone who has schizophrenia, as the things they say may make no sense. If you ask a question, they may reply with a completely unrelated answer.
Occasionally, people with schizophrenia will display what are called "negative symptoms." These symptoms can be mistaken for depression or another type of mental illness. They include a withdrawal from everyday activities, loss of interest in social life, and speaking in a flat, affectless voice. Some people may become catatonic, meaning they stop speaking or moving.
Schizophrenia symptoms make it very difficult to live a normal life. It can be challenging to hold a job or even follow everyday conversations.
Many people with schizophrenia begin to show signs of the disorder in their teens and the majority are diagnosed by age 30. Men typically show signs at an earlier age than women. Some women may not even have symptoms of the disorder until they are much older.
If you suspect your loved one may have this disorder, look for these more common signs of schizophrenia:
- Abnormal and unorganized thinking
- Disorganized speech
- Poor concentration
- Strange behavior or actions
- Lack of emotions
- Low motivation
- Social isolation
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations – seeing, hearing, or even smelling something that isn’t there
- Delusions – strong false beliefs even when proven wrong
If you or a loved one is exhibiting several of these schizophrenic symptoms for an extended period, it is time to find a schizophrenia center that can help. Because an individual’s treatment goals for schizophrenia vary depending on the type they have, facilities like Banyan Mental Health will be able to get a better understanding of the individual’s disorder and personal needs.
Questions about our Facilities or Programs?
Our admissions coordinators are available 24/7 to answer any questions you may have as you consider whether treatment at Banyan is right for you or your loved one.
Types of Schizophrenia
At one point, doctors grouped schizophrenia into several different types, such as paranoid schizophrenia or undifferentiated. However, they no longer use these terms and instead consider schizophrenia a spectrum disorder, or a group of mental disorders that share similar symptoms.
For example, delusional disorder falls on the schizophrenia spectrum. People with delusional disorder believe things that aren't true. They may be convinced someone is out to get them or that aliens are talking to them. A person who has schizophrenia with paranoia may hallucinate or have delusions. Someone with an unspecified schizophrenia disorder may have symptoms that diverge from those usually seen with schizophrenia.
No matter where you or your loved one falls on the schizophrenia spectrum, early treatment is a must.
Comprehensive Treatment Programs
Banyan Mental Health's schizophrenia treatment programs include residential and partial hospitalization.
Residential treatment may be best for someone who was recently diagnosed with schizophrenia and who is at the beginning of their treatment journey. During residential treatment, you stay at our facility around the clock, which allows you to get the attention and care you need.
Partial hospitalization is the middle ground between residential and outpatient treatment. You receive therapy and treatment at our center during the day, almost every day, but return home at night.
Medication Management
Antipsychotic medication is often prescribed to help people with schizophrenia. The medicines can help make hallucinations, delusions, and other psychotic symptoms less severe. Occasionally, patients may need other medications, such as antidepressants, to help control accompanying symptoms.
Your medication needs may change and it can take some trial and error to get the dosage right. Our medical team will work with you to help you find the correct dose and type of medication to keep symptoms to a minimum.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT often accompanies medication management for schizophrenia. The goal of CBT is to help you develop coping skills and to learn to recognize your symptoms. It can also help you manage accompanying symptoms, such as depression or anxiety.
Complementary Therapies
Banyan Mental Health offers a range of complementary therapies to patients with schizophrenia. Art and music therapy allow you to express yourself creatively while pet or equine therapy provides you with an animal who can comfort you. Meditation and yoga help to soothe the mind and heal the body.
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Benefits of Our Schizophrenia Treatment Programs
With schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, the belief is that the sooner treatment begins, the better. Starting treatment when symptoms are mild prevents them from becoming worse and minimizes the impact on your life.
Schizophrenia can disrupt your life and prevent you from reaching your goals. It can drive a wedge between you and your loved ones. Treatment helps to prevent that. Whether with medication therapy, or a combination of the two, you can focus on reducing your symptoms and learning coping skills for when they do occur.
As your symptoms diminish, you can begin to focus on your life again. You can rebuild relationships with your loved ones, which may have been fractured by your mental health disorder. You can start to make and work on goals, whether you want to pursue a degree, find a new job, or achieve something else in your life.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today
Schizophrenia is a lifelong disorder but you don't have to live with disruptive symptoms. Banyan Mental Health can help you get your symptoms under control and your life back on track. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs for schizophrenia.
