Treatment for Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a serious condition that takes a toll on a person’s quality of life. It’s a mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. The symptoms of schizophrenia can be very disabling and make it difficult for a person to function in day-to-day life.
Fortunately, treatment for schizophrenia helps many people manage their symptoms and live relatively normal lives. At Tulua Health, we offer a variety of treatment programs and therapies that can help those living with this mental health disorder. Our treatment programs are designed to help patients manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Understanding the Importance of Treatment for Schizophrenia
While schizophrenia is not as common as other mental health conditions, a significant number of Americans deal with this condition. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 1.1% of American adults have schizophrenia.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), worldwide, 24 million or 1 in 300 people have schizophrenia. Amongst adults, the rate of schizophrenia is 1 in 222 people. Further, the WHO reports that the majority of people who have this condition do not receive the care they need. Unfortunately, approximately 31% of people with schizophrenia access treatment, creating a large gap in treatment for schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is highly impactful. People who have this disorder often struggle in their relationships due to behavior that can be unpredictable, disordered, and sometimes violent. They may have difficulty keeping a job or going to school because of their condition. When people have schizophrenia, they require lifelong treatment to manage the symptoms of the disorder.
What Is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that affects a person’s relationship with reality. It is a chronic and severe condition that can cause hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking.
Typically, the onset of schizophrenia occurs in young adulthood, with men typically developing the disorder slightly earlier than women. Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition, but treatment can help manage the symptoms and allow people to lead productive, fulfilling lives.
How Do People Develop Schizophrenia?
The cause of schizophrenia is not fully understood, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. People with certain genes may be more likely to develop the disorder, but it is not clear why some people with these genes never develop schizophrenia while others do.
Environmental factors, such as stress or drug use, may trigger the disorder in people who are vulnerable to it. However, it is not known why some people are more vulnerable than others.
The Symptoms of Schizophrenia
The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia can be divided into three categories: positive, negative, and cognitive. Positive symptoms are those that represent an excess or distortion of normal functioning, while negative symptoms are those that represent a diminishment of normal functioning. Cognitive symptoms refer to problems with attention, executive functioning, and working memory.
The most common positive symptom of schizophrenia is hallucinations. Hallucinations can involve any of the five senses, but auditory hallucinations (hearing voices) are by far the most common. Patients with schizophrenia may also experience delusions, which are false beliefs that are not based on reality. For example, a person with schizophrenia may believe that they are being followed or that someone is trying to harm them.
Patients with negative symptoms may have difficulty expressing emotions or experiencing pleasure. They may also speak very little, seeming withdrawn or “flat.” This can make it hard for them to sustain a conversation or participate in activities they enjoy.
Cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia can make it hard to think clearly, pay attention, and remember things. Working memory, which is the ability to keep information in mind while working with it, is often impaired in people with schizophrenia. This can make it hard to follow a conversation or remember what was just said.
Treatment Programs for Schizophrenia at Tulua Health
Tulua Health offers treatment programs and therapies that can help those who are living with this mental health disorder. The various treatment programs and therapies they offer include:
These programs are the most intensive form of treatment we offer and are typically reserved for patients who need more support than what our other outpatient programs can provide. Patients in our Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP) receive treatment during the day, but are able to return home at night.
Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is designed for patients who need more treatment than what our standard outpatient program can provide, but do not require the level of care that our Partial Hospitalization Program offers.
Our Outpatient Program is designed for patients who are able to live at home and participate in treatment during the day. This program requires a higher level of motivation and support from family and friends, as patients will be returning home each night. While in an outpatient program, patients will have access to our treatment team and resources. They will engage in individual and group therapy, among other therapeutic interventions.
When individuals require a structured and safe place to live, our transitional living homes may be a great fit for your needs. These homes provide a supportive and sober environment while residents focus on their recovery.
Let Tulua Health Help You Today
Tulua Health offers treatment for schizophrenia that is designed to help patients manage their symptoms and live a fulfilling life. Our treatment programs are tailored to each individual, as we understand that not every person’s experience is the same. We offer the aforementioned outpatient treatment programs for schizophrenia, as well as various therapies and support groups.
