Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that can affect how you think, feel or perceive the world around you.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness describes schizophrenia as a mental illness that can cause hallucinations, delusions, trouble organizing your speech or thoughts, or appearing emotionless.
While untreated schizophrenia can be overwhelming and highly disruptive, it’s possible to lead a productive, fulfilling life if you seek appropriate treatment for schizophrenia.
Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital provides personalized inpatient schizophrenia treatment for adults age 18 and older. Our schizophrenia treatment center helps adults set the groundwork for healing that lasts.
Signs & Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Because every person is different, their experiences with schizophrenia will also vary. However, there are certain symptoms and behaviors that might indicate that they are struggling with schizophrenia. Getting a comprehensive assessment will determine whether it’s time to seek professional support.
The Mayo Clinic lists the following warning signs and symptoms of schizophrenia:
- Believes something that is not based in reality
- Sees or hears things that aren’t there
- Strings unrelated words together when talking
- Responds to questions with unrelated answers
- Displays childlike silliness
- Becomes unpredictably agitated
- Struggles to focus on a goal or task
- Sits or stands in strange postures
- Moves excessively or does not move at all
- Neglects to care for personal hygiene
- Speaks without emotion or in a monotone
- Does not change facial expressions
- Does not make eye contact
- Lacks ability to enjoy everyday experiences
Common Schizophrenia Causes & Risk Factors
There is no single cause of schizophrenia, but there are certain factors that can increase your risk for developing this condition.
The National Institute of Mental Health says that the following are common causes and risk factors for schizophrenia:
- Family history of schizophrenia
- Differences in brain structure or function
- Environmental factors, such as living in stressful surroundings
- Factors at birth, such as exposure to certain viruses or poor nutrition
Potential Schizophrenia Effects
Schizophrenia can make it challenging to interact with those around you and to recognize if what you’re perceiving is real. But the exact way schizophrenia might affect you depends on a variety of factors, such as how long you’ve been living with the condition, your family history and your genetic background.
These are some of the potential effects of schizophrenia:
- Difficulty performing at work
- Trouble maintaining a job
- Financial challenges and homelessness
- Struggles forming healthy friendships or relationships
- Feelings of isolation
- Health problems due to lack of self-care
- Damaged relationships with loved ones
- Substance abuse or onset of a substance use disorder
- Onset of a co-occurring mental health disorder
- Self-harm, suicidal thoughts or suicide
Untreated schizophrenia can have devastating consequences, but it doesn’t have to be this way. With proper treatment, a person who has schizophrenia can learn to manage their symptoms so that they do not experience any long-term negative effects.
The Benefits of Schizophrenia Treatment
The hallucinations, delusions and other symptoms associated with schizophrenia can make your daily life tough to navigate. There may be times when you feel scared, overwhelmed or even alone.
In getting treatment for schizophrenia, you’ll work with expert clinicians who will help you regain control of the feelings, behaviors and experiences that have been so disruptive. While taking part in treatment, you can also develop healthy coping skills that will help you start functioning better.
Another aspect of schizophrenia treatment that can be significantly helpful for many participants is the opportunity to meet others who share their experiences. The feelings of isolation often begin to lift, and they realize that they are not alone in their struggles with this condition.
Choosing the Right Schizophrenia Treatment
No two people have the exact same experience with schizophrenia, so it’s essential that treatment for schizophrenia is individualized.
The inpatient treatment we provide at Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital serves adults age 18 and older who are in a state of crisis because of their struggles with schizophrenia.
Our treatment place provides 24-hour nursing care and the therapeutic support you need to achieve stabilization and start functioning at a higher level.
The expert clinicians at our schizophrenia treatment center are passionate about the work they do and treat every person with the utmost dignity and respect.
Therapies Used in Schizophrenia Treatment
Our treatment center uses evidence-based therapies and solutions that can help you set the groundwork for successful, sustained healing.
Because everyone responds to various therapeutic interventions differently, we customize everyone’s treatment. We will tailor your treatment plan specifically to your strengths, challenges, needs and goals so that you receive the care that’s most beneficial for you.
To accomplish this, you’ll complete a comprehensive assessment that will allow us to gather the information we need to understand how schizophrenia has been affecting your life.
Depending on your treatment team’s recommendations, you may take part in individual therapy, group therapy, experiential therapy, family sessions or medication management.
During your time at our treatment center, you may also engage in treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that can help you make positive changes in your life.
You’ll receive a detailed discharge plan before leaving our treatment place to ensure that you have the resources you need to continue your progress at a lower level of care.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Ascension Saint Thomas Behavioral Health Hospital.
