Schizophrenia Treatment

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that can cause significant disruptions in a person’s ability to think, feel, and behave. Left untreated, it can lead to serious problems such as job loss, homelessness, crime, and suicide.

Schizophrenia can be a very debilitating condition, making it difficult for people to lead productive and fulfilling lives. However, with proper treatment at the Mental Health Center of San Diego, many people with schizophrenia can learn to manage their symptoms.

What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects a person’s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions, and relate to others. It can cause hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Schizophrenia is a chronic condition, and it usually starts in early adulthood.

Schizophrenia affects around 1% of the world’s population; around 3.5 million people in the United States have been diagnosed. People with schizophrenia often have trouble holding a job or taking care of themselves. As a result, they may become isolated and withdrawn from family and friends.

The symptoms of schizophrenia can be disabling and make it hard for people to function in their everyday lives. It is estimated that as many as half of homeless adults suffer from schizophrenia.

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What are the Symptoms of Schizophrenia?

People with schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. They may see or hear things that other people don’t see or hear. They may believe thoughts that are not true. They may be paranoid and think people are out to get them. People with schizophrenia may act in strange or even bizarre ways. For example, they may talk to themselves or dress in odd ways. Symptoms of schizophrenia can be divided into two types: positive and negative.

Positive symptoms are those that most people don’t experience unless they have schizophrenia, including:

Negative symptoms are those that take away from a person’s normal abilities, including:

  • Lack of motivation
  • Trouble speaking
  • Decreased emotional response 
  • Social withdrawal
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What Causes Schizophrenia?

The cause of schizophrenia is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Schizophrenia runs in families, so it is thought that there may be a genetic predisposition for the disorder. However, not everyone who has a family member with schizophrenia will develop the disorder themselves.

Environmental factors, such as stress or trauma, are thought to play a role in triggering the disorder in people who are genetically predisposed to it.

Other causes for schizophrenia may include:

  • Autoimmune or inflammatory diseases
  • Use of mind-altering drugs
  • Exposure to toxins before birth/during infancy
  • Having high stress or anxiety

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Mental Health Center of San Diego.

Mental Health Center of San Diego

Schizophrenia Treatment Options Available in San Diego

Early diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia is critical to a positive outcome. There are a number of treatment options available, and the best course of action will vary depending on the individual.

Medication is often an important part of treatment, and it can be very effective in reducing symptoms. However, it is important to remember that medication does not work for everyone, and it may take some time to find the right medication or combination of medications.

In addition to medication, various other treatment options can be helpful, including therapy, support groups, and vocational rehabilitation. Some therapeutic options used at the Mental Health Center of San Diego include:

Generally, treatment focuses on reducing symptoms and helping the person to function as well as possible.

How to get Schizophrenia Treatment in San Diego

Although there is no cure for schizophrenia, early and effective treatment can minimize the impact of the illness and help people with schizophrenia lead productive, fulfilling lives.

The first step in getting treatment is to visit our San Diego facility for a professional to give a proper diagnosis. Once a diagnosis has been established, we can develop a treatment plan. If you or someone you know is struggling with schizophrenia, don’t hesitate to seek out early and effective treatment at the Mental Health Center of San Diego. Call us at (858) 258-9883; it could make all the difference.

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