Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Schizophrenia is a complex mental health diagnosis that unfortunately faces a lot of stigma in current society. If you are concerned you may have schizophrenia, there is no need to be ashamed. Regardless of what you may have heard about schizophrenia, a person with this mental health disorder does not have “multiple personalities” nor are they inherently more dangerous than others.
That being said, because of the severity of the disease, the symptoms may be frightening and disabling, causing you to feel agitated and want to withdraw from those in your life.
While there is no known cure for schizophrenia, research shows that some treatments can be effective for reducing the symptoms and lessening the chance of reoccurrence. If you believe that you may have schizophrenia, you don’t have to suffer alone. Treatment is available at IBH. Speak with one of our trusted healthcare providers today to develop a treatment plan to help you get your life back on track.
How do I know if myself or a loved one may be suffering from schizophrenia?
Like most behavioral health concerns, the way schizophrenia affects people can vary from person to person. However, these are several common symptoms to look out for:
- Delusions: fear and concern that you are being monitored, threatened, or having their thoughts read.
- Hearing inner voices
- Hallucinations: seeing, hearing, smelling, or sensing that something that is not actually present
- Psychomotor issues such as clumsiness and atypical mannerisms
- Lack of emotion or expression
- Inability to properly form thoughts and phrases
- Difficulty planning and organizing
- Withdrawal
- Apathy towards others
When does schizophrenia appear in an individual?
- For men: On average, men will develop schizophrenia earlier than women, typically between ages 16 and 25, with average onset around 18.
- For women: Women typically develop symptoms much later than men, with the average age of onset being 25. The risk of developing schizophrenia is higher for women over 30.
- In general: Schizophrenia rarely appears before the age of 10 and after the age of 40 in men and women. It can be difficult to diagnose in teens, as the early signs, such as changing friend groups, struggling with unhealthy sleep patterns, and a change in grades, are common among teens in general.
What is psychosis and how does it apply to schizophrenia?
Psychosis is a disruption in one’s mind that is characterized by losing touch with reality. What is real and what is not becomes indiscernible during a psychotic break. If you are experiencing psychosis, you may hallucinate, have delusions, or behave inappropriately or unusually for your current situation. Psychosis itself is not an illness, but rather a symptom. If you have schizophrenia, it is likely that you will have psychotic breaks and experience these symptoms. While they can be frightening, treatment is available to lessen the effects of psychosis.