Affecting 1% of the U.S. population, schizophrenia is one of the more uncommon mental illnesses. Still, it is highly debilitating for sufferers to the point that some cannot live independently. Unfortunately, schizophrenia’s symptoms tend to culminate in isolation due to social withdrawal. This, combined with a propensity toward forsaking psych meds, makes a ripe environment for people with schizophrenia to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. To maintain their ability to function in society, people with schizophrenia will need the help of mental health treatment programs.
At New Start Recovery, we understand how challenging it can be to live with schizophrenia. Our schizophrenia treatment program in Orange County, CA, can help you learn how to manage your condition with a combination of medication and therapy. Call our schizophrenia treatment center today at [Direct] to start living a healthier, more productive lifestyle.
What Does Schizophrenia Look Like?
Schizophrenia is a long-term psychotic disorder that involves severe hallucinations and paranoia. Put simply, many things that seem real to a person with schizophrenia are not actually real. Their mind is steeped in thoughts that are not in touch with the real world. It is a common misconception that people with schizophrenia have multiple personalities; however, that is actually a symptom of dissociative identity disorder, which is an entirely separate disorder of personality. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental health disorder that affects how people think, feel, and behave. People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. Their symptoms fall into three categories: positive, negative, and cognitive.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
If you or a loved one has schizophrenia, it is important most of all to remember that only a licensed psychiatrist can make an official diagnosis. Since New Start Recovery firmly believes in getting dual diagnosis clients the help they need, we partner with a local psychiatric group to offer them professional psychological evaluations. Getting addiction treatment and appropriate medications could make the difference you or your loved one needs to start their recovery.
Positive Symptoms
Positive does not mean good in this case. It refers to additional psychotic behaviors that are not seen in healthy people, such as:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Dysfunctional thinking
- Movement tics
Negative Symptoms
Similarly, negative does not mean bad. Negative symptoms are emotions and behaviors not generally seen in healthy people, including:
- Dissociation
- Inability to start or maintain activities
- Lack of vocal/facial affect
- Refusal to speak or respond
Cognitive Symptoms
Not all schizophrenics experience cognitive symptoms; however, some may notice slight changes in cognitive functioning such as:
- Difficulty understanding information
- Inability to use the information right after learning it
- Attention-deficit
- Dementia
Subtype Cases
Although some symptoms are universal to the disorder, distinct subtypes of schizophrenia may impact how that person’s condition presents, such as:
- Acute: Developing acute schizophrenia can be a truly harrowing experience. The acute subtype describes when schizophrenic symptoms develop quickly after a long period of normalcy. These unfamiliar, disconcerting thoughts and behaviors can trigger substance abuse as a form of self-medication.
- Paranoid: Paranoid schizophrenics tend to maintain a higher level of function among the subtypes. Although they experience positive symptoms like delusions and hallucinations, these thoughts can be relatively private or compartmentalized. Paranoid schizophrenics tend to have fewer negative symptoms that affect behavior. On that note, addicts with this dual diagnosis are more likely to deal with functional alcoholism or drug addiction, and denial may play a more significant factor in these cases.
- Disorganized: Disorganized schizophrenics are generally lower functioning and tend toward more severe negative and cognitive symptoms, and positive psychotic symptoms are not as prevalent. This form of schizophrenia tends to have an early and gradual onset as compared to other subtypes. It is common for disorganized schizophrenics to live dependently with family or other caregivers and stop taking their psych meds in favor of self-medicating through substance abuse.
New Start Recovery: Helping You Thrive with Schizophrenia Therapy in Orange County, CA
Schizophrenia does not have to prevent you from living a fulfilling life. Getting assistance from a schizophrenia treatment center can help you get back the health and happiness you deserve. For effective, personalized treatment, you can count on New Start Recovery’s schizophrenia treatment program in Orange County, CA. Call us today at [Direct] to get started.