Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how people think, feel, and behave. It may result in a mix of hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking and behavior.
People with schizophrenia need lifelong treatment. This includes medicine, talk therapy, and help learning how to manage daily activities. Many people with schizophrenia don’t know they have a mental health condition and may not believe they need treatment. People who have psychosis that is not treated often have more severe symptoms, more hospital stays, poorer thinking and processing skills and social outcomes, injuries, and even death.
There are several types of schizophrenia, including:
People with schizophrenia need lifelong treatment. This includes medicine, talk therapy, and help learning how to manage daily activities. Many people with schizophrenia don’t know they have a mental health condition and may not believe they need treatment. People who have psychosis that is not treated often have more severe symptoms, more hospital stays, poorer thinking and processing skills and social outcomes, injuries, and even death.
There are several types of schizophrenia, including:
- Schizotypal personality disorder
- Delusional disorder
- Brief psychotic disorder
- Schizophreniform disorder
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Other schizophrenia spectrum disorders
People with schizophrenia are usually diagnosed between the ages of 16 and 30, after the first episode of psychosis. Schizophrenia symptoms can differ from person to person, but they generally fall into three main categories, psychotic, negative, and cognitive.
There is no one single cause of schizophrenia, but experts suspect schizophrenia happens for different reasons, they include:
There is no one single cause of schizophrenia, but experts suspect schizophrenia happens for different reasons, they include:
- Imbalances in chemical signals your brain uses for cell-to-cell communication
- Brain development problems before birth
- Loss of connections between different areas of your brain
Factors that increase the risk of schizophrenia include:
- A family history of schizophrenia
- Environment
- Recreational drug use
Left untreated, schizophrenia can lead to severe problems that affect every area of life. Complications that may be caused or related to schizophrenia include:
- Suicide, suicide attempts, and thoughts of suicide
- Anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Depression
- Misuse of alcohol or other drugs, including nicotine
- Not being able to work or attend school
- Social isolation
- Aggressive or violent behavior, though people with schizophrenia are more likely to be assaulted rather than assault others
A schizophrenia diagnosis involves ruling out other mental health conditions and making sure that symptoms aren’t due to substance misuse, medicine, or a medical condition. Determining a schizophrenia diagnosis can include:
- A physical exam
- Tests and screenings
- A mental health evaluation
Unfortunately, there is no cure for schizophrenia. However, lifelong treatment with antipsychotic medicines and psychosocial therapy can help manage schizophrenia.
If you need the assistance and support of a mental health professional at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-5575, to schedule an appointment.
