5 Most Effective Treatments for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a severe mental condition affecting your emotions, thinking ability, decision-making, and relationships. You cannot cure schizophrenia forever, but getting proper treatment is essential to make it less severe. Patients may have to take medicines lifelong combined with frequent counseling sessions.

Depending on your unique needs and requirements, a qualified doctor will prescribe you the best schizophrenia treatment in Kolkata accordingly.

Plus, the constant support and guidance of your loved ones will help you to stay away from this disease as much as possible. In today’s post, we will explore what schizophrenia is, its symptoms, and related treatments. Read on to learn more. 

Table of Contents:

• Types of Schizophrenia
• Symptoms
• Treatments
• When to see a doctor
• Conclusion
• FAQs

Types of Schizophrenia:

Generally, there are five subtypes of schizophrenia. These include:

• Paranoid Schizophrenia: In this condition, patients usually experience extreme feelings of grandiosity, suspicion, persecution, or a combination of all.
• Disorganized Schizophrenia: Irrelevant thoughts that may not always be delusional.
• Catatonic Schizophrenia: Isolation and withdrawal combined with negative behavior; this can further lead to psychomotor disturbances in the patient.
• Schizoaffective Disorder: Combines both schizophrenia and a severe mood disorder such as anxiety, depression, etc.

Depending on your condition, your doctor will plan a treatment for you unique to your needs and wants. Your treatment will generally include a combination of medication and counseling therapy, and you will have to stick to it unless you start living an everyday life again. 

Symptoms:

• You can diagnose schizophrenia if you see any of these symptoms in your loved ones.
• Lack of Interest in Social Activities
• Changes in Emotions and Body Language
• Poor Hygiene or Grooming
• Change in Sleep Patterns
• Slow Movements
• Lack of Motivation
• Meaningless Thoughts
• Delusions and
• Hallucinations

Doctors are still yet to know what exactly causes schizophrenia. However, the two factors that play a significant role are genetics and environment, and depending on the type of schizophrenia you have, the different treatment options may vary. In some cases, it can be only medications or counseling therapy, while for others, it can be a mix of both. Therefore, you must consult a professional to get the best schizophrenia treatment in Kolkata unique to your specific needs and requirements.

Treatments:

The treatment for schizophrenia will vary from one person to another. However, no matter how bad or complicated the condition is, some treatments are expected for this disease. These generally include:

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): CBT is a talk therapy where the psychotherapist shows ways to cope with hallucinations and hearing problems. It is an effective treatment to control severe symptoms of psychosis and frequent bouts of hallucination.

• Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET): This treatment helps improve memory, attention, and ability to organize thoughts. It is a mix of group therapies and computerized brain training.

• Social Recovery Therapy: This treatment teaches a person how to set and achieve specific goals effectively. In return, the patient will grow an optimistic attitude towards life in general and others in particular.

• Assertive Community Treatment (ACT): ACT helps patients to cope with every challenge effectively, such as taking medicines, washing clothes, making bed, etc. It also teaches how to ease a complicated situation in a step-by-step manner.

• Medication: Depending on your condition, the doctor may have to prescribe you a pill. These generally include antipsychotic drugs, also called neuroleptic drugs or major tranquilizers, that help control the severe symptoms of schizophrenia.

Doctors say other than these treatments, family members’ constant support and guidance is vital. You can discuss with each other, find solutions, and solve problems related to your current situation, particularly the type of schizophrenia triggered in your near or dear one. 

When to see a doctor:

It is best advised to call a doctor if you notice sudden mood swings in your loved one combined with frequent bouts of psychosis. Also, suppose your friend or family member tends to stay isolated, showing mistrust or sudden emotional outbursts toward others. In that case, seeing a qualified psychiatrist as soon as possible is highly recommended. 

Conclusion:

Schizophrenia is a complex condition that needs immediate medical attention. You, too, can give the best schizophrenia treatment in Kolkata to your near or dear one by consulting a qualified doctor who is experienced enough in this field. Depending on the patient’s unique condition, the professional will create an effective treatment plan. 

Wish you a pleasant and healthy life ahead!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What are the common types of schizophrenia?

The common sub-types of schizophrenia include Paranoid Schizophrenia, Disorganized Schizophrenia, Catatonic Schizophrenia, Residual Schizophrenia, and schizoaffective disorder. 

What factors contribute to the development of schizophrenia?

Genetics, environment, brain chemistry, brain development, and brain structure are some of the factors that may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia in a person. 

At what age do the symptoms of schizophrenia start appearing?

Schizophrenia can occur in both men and women irrespective of religion, ethnic group, or community. Usually, delusions or hallucinations appear in patients ages 16 to 30. 

What are the differences between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder?

A person with schizophrenia generally shows symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, hearing voices, etc. On the other end, people with bipolar disorder are more prone to frequent mood swings, emotional disturbances, and anxiety-related conditions, to say the least. 

Can schizophrenia be cured? There is no full-proof treatment yet to cure schizophrenia completely. However, through medication and sessions of psychological counseling, doctors are trying to curb the intensity of this condition as much as possible.