Schizophrenia symptoms
Schizophrenia is a very severe brain disease. It is a chronic condition that causes disabling mental, physical and emotional side effects. Both men and woman can get schizophrenia and it affects nearly 2 million Americans a year. Males who have the disease usually present with symptoms earlier than females. Children can be diagnosed with the disease but it is more common for schizophrenia to surface later in the teen years or into the twenties. Women can sometimes get a diagnosis later in life but the symptoms may be confused for other disorders prior to an actual diagnosis.
Some of the symptoms of schizophrenia can include hearing internal voices, fearing that others can read their minds, fearing that others are controlling their thoughts, and fearing others want to inflict harm upon them. These symptoms are very scary for the individual and they have a hard time communicating their fears to others. Because they are hearing voices that others do not hear, they can also scare those around them by their actions and incontrollable behavior and fears. Those suffering from schizophrenia may have behavior and speech that is hard to understand by outsiders.
Once a person has schizophrenia they may become secluded and withdrawn from those that they used to love being around. They may develop a fear of leaving the house or going in public situations. A once popular and social person may become the exact opposite over time. It can be very difficult for the person to describe how they are feeling and what they are experiencing to others for fear of being laughed at or not taken seriously. Hallucinations may get so bad that the person becomes a hazard to themselves or to others. They live in their thoughts and have a hard time dealing with real situations. Their thoughts are consuming and eventually take over every aspect of their life.
Thankfully, for those diagnosed with schizophrenia there is hope. Treatments for the disease can tremendously help with reducing symptoms. Medications can help control the abnormal thoughts and voices inside the patients head. Counseling is also beneficial for both the sufferer and the family and friends that are trying to deal with the behavior of the loved one.
Antipsychotic medications have shown to dramatically reduce the symptoms in schizophrenia. Although some people may not be cured completely, a lot of the patients taking the medication are relieved of some of the disturbing and controlling thoughts. Unfortunately not everyone is cured with medication and some have relapses while on the medication. Some patients will also suffer side effects from the medication that may cause them to not want to stay on the medications. This is when it becomes very important for family and friends to stay supportive. Support groups for schizophrenia can also offer great education on the disease as well as helping the person know that they are not alone in their illness. Since most people who suffer from the disease feel that know one understands what they are going through, having a support system consisting of other patients can be reassuring.
It is very important for the family and friends to learn how to manage their loved ones during episodes of panic. By maintaining a calm disposition and talking the person through a tough time, more can be accomplished. If you or someone you know is suffering from any of the schizophrenia symptoms please get medical help. Living a life of fear and solitude is no way of living and the sooner one can get help the sooner they can return to a happier and more normal state of being.
[quote|tags=Neuro-Natural Serenity]
Comments are closed
Related Information
