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What We Treat​

Schizophrenia

What is Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder characterized by damage to key synapses in the brain that control actions, thoughts and feelings. This disordered function can cause a patient to have skewed perceptions about the world around them. These patients may also act out or withdraw from the outside world and others entirely.

Around 3.2 million Americans suffer from schizophrenia. This disorder typically appears during adolescence, but people can develop it in childhood or adulthood, as well.

Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that people must deal with their entire lives. They can, however, experience stretches of time when symptoms are less severe. When patients receive the right treatment, the disorder can be inactive, but these patients will need to continue their treatment in perpetuity in order to avoid a recurrence of symptoms.

What Causes Schizophrenia

The specific cause of schizophrenia is unknown. Many experts believe that there is a genetic driver at play. Environmental triggers, including being exposed to viruses during development, may increase the risk of developing the disorder. There are some risk factors for schizophrenia, including:

  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Chronic inflammation
  • Older fathers
  • Mother malnourished or exposed to viruses during pregnancy
  • Psychotropic drug use in adolescence
  • A family history of the disorder

Schizophrenia Symptoms

Schizophrenia affects may regions of the brain, resulting in a wide array of symptoms. The disease manifests very differently from one patient to the next. Some symptoms of the disorder include:

  • Delusions    
  • Bad hygiene
  • Disorganized speech   
  • Fidgeting or jerky movements
  • Hallucinations    
  • Monotonous speech patterns
  • Detachment from friends and family    
  • Resistance to completing tasks
  • Disorganized thinking    
  • Apathy towards previously enjoyed activities
  • Insomnia    
  • Poor performance in school or work   
  • Irritability or paranoid behavior    
  • Depressed mood   
  • Catatonia    
  • Faulty memory

Many of these symptoms are present in other mental disorders. When patients work with a mental health professional, that person will run a differential diagnosis to make sure that other disorders are not present

Diagnosing Schizophrenia

Given the seriousness of a schizophrenia diagnosis, psychiatrists work hard to diagnose it correctly before beginning treatment. Diagnosing this disorder takes time. The first step typically is a physical exam during which the doctor looks for physical triggers of symptoms.

Next, a patient may undergo an MRI or CT scan so that doctors can observe any irregular activity in the brain. This helps rule out other problems, such as seizures, that might be causing symptoms.

Finally, a patient will receive a psychiatric evaluation. A patient will be asked to give a family and mental health history and list their symptoms. Some clients bring support people with them to these appointments. Sometimes, social workers are also involved.

After all the testing is complete, the diagnostic team references all data against the DSM-5 to determine whether or not the patient has schizophrenia.

Treatment for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia requires treatment for the rest of a patient’s life. Even when symptoms lessen, a patient should still maintain their treatment protocols.

When patients exhibit very dangerous symptoms, they typically stay in residential treatment centers for a brief period of time. During this time, they can work with their team to address these symptoms with therapy and medication.

Patients who are not receiving inpatient treatment should still maintain a regular appointment schedule with caregivers. Medication management is particularly important with schizophrenia. Medications used to treat this disorder include antipsychotics, antidepressants, and anti-anxiety medications.

Doctors also use therapy to help patients with this disorder develop stronger coping mechanisms. Patients may also need to address the emotional strain of receiving such a serious diagnosis. The family of a patient can benefit from family therapy, as well, so that they can help the patient more effectively.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

We work with most PPO insurance’s out-of-network benefits. Our team is happy to help you verify benefits.

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Insurance Verification Information Please complete the following information for the person seeking treatment. We will check your insurance coverage and benefits to see if you’re covered. This insurance verification is entirely free and no obligation.