Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder characterized by the presence, as well as the absence, of certain symptoms. Positive symptoms that exist in schizophrenia are cognitive problems / disorganized thoughts, and delusions or hallucinations. Negative symptoms include lack of emotional expression. The most effective way to minimize the symptoms of schizophrenia is a combination of medication, support services, and therapy.
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Method 1 of 5: Getting the Right Diagnosis
Step 1. Visit a doctor
A proper diagnosis of schizophrenia is very important in the treatment of its symptoms. Schizophrenia is difficult to diagnose precisely because it exhibits the same signs as several other mental health problems. Visit your doctor and ask for a referral to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other specialist who can provide a proper diagnosis.
- The median age of onset of schizophrenia in men is the late teens to early 20s, and in women the late 20s to early 30s. Schizophrenia is rarely diagnosed in children under 12 years of age, or in adults over 40 years of age.
- Schizophrenia in adolescents is difficult to diagnose. This is because the first signs include behaviors commonly found in teenagers, such as avoiding friends, showing little interest in schoolwork, sleeping problems, and being quick to anger.
- Schizophrenia is a very genetic condition. If you have a relative who has schizophrenia, your chances of getting the same diagnosis are higher than the general population.
- African Americans and Hispanics tend to be more likely to be misdiagnosed. Try to find a healthcare provider who understands how schizophrenia affects minority populations to ensure the best possible care.
Step 2. Know the symptoms of schizophrenia
People diagnosed with schizophrenia do not have to experience all of the symptoms. He or she must exhibit at least two of the following symptoms over a period of time. The symptoms must have a clear impact on the person's ability to function in daily life, and cannot be explained by other causes, such as the use of drugs.
- Delusions or hallucinations are the most common symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Hallucinations can be audio or visual. These symptoms are usually associated with a psychotic episode.
- Disorganized speech is a manifestation of cognitive disorder. He may have difficulty understanding, be unable to keep up with the topic, or respond in a confusing and irrational way. He may use imaginary words or speak made-up language.
- Disorganized behavior reflects a temporary loss of cognitive function due to schizophrenia. He may have difficulty completing tasks or persist in performing tasks that exceed normal expectations.
- Catatonic behavior may also be a symptom of schizophrenia. He may sit for hours without speaking. He seemed oblivious to his surroundings.
- The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are often mistaken for depression. These include a lack of emotional expression, not enjoying daily activities, and/or not talking much.
- Often, people with schizophrenia do not feel that these symptoms are a problem and so they refuse treatment.
Step 3. Be aware that you may not be able to properly assess your own symptoms
The most challenging characteristic of schizophrenia is difficulty recognizing delusional thoughts. Your thoughts, ideas, and perceptions may seem normal to you, while to others they may seem delusional. This is usually a source of tension between people with schizophrenia and their families and communities.
- Nearly half of all people diagnosed with schizophrenia have trouble recognizing their delusional thoughts. Therapy can overcome this lack of awareness.
- An important key to living with schizophrenia is learning to ask for help dealing with disturbing or worrying perceptions and other symptoms.
Method 2 of 5: Finding the Right Medicine
Step 1. Ask your doctor about antipsychotic medications
Antipsychotic drugs have been used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia since the mid-1950s. Older antipsychotics, sometimes called typical antipsychotics or first-generation antipsychotics, work by blocking a subtype of dopamine receptors in the brain. Newer antipsychotics, also called atypical antipsychotics, block dopamine receptors as well as specific serotonin receptors.
- First-generation antipsychotics include drugs such as chlorpromazine, haloperidol, trifluoperazine, perphenazine, and fluphenazine.
- Second generation antipsychotics include clozapine, risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, paliperidone and ziprasidone.
Step 2. Watch out for unwanted side effects
Antipsychotic drugs usually have significant side effects. Most of these side effects will go away after a few days. Side effects include blurred vision, drowsiness, sensitivity to the sun, skin rashes, and weight gain. Women may experience menstrual problems.
- It may take some time for you to find the most suitable medication. Your doctor may need to try different doses and combinations of drugs. No patient responds to the drug in the same way.
- Clozapine (Clozaril) can cause a condition called agranulocytosis, which is the loss of white blood cells. If your doctor prescribes clozapine, you should have your blood checked every one or two weeks.
- Weight gain due to antipsychotic drugs may result in diabetes and/or high cholesterol.
- Long-term use of first-generation antipsychotics can result in a condition called tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD causes muscle cramps, usually around the mouth.
- Other side effects of antipsychotic drugs are stiffness, tremors, muscle cramps, and restlessness. Talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects.
Step 3. Remember that medication is only for symptomatic relief
Although medication is important to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, it cannot cure schizophrenia itself. This medication is just a way to help minimize the symptoms. Psychosocial interventions such as individual therapy, socializing exercises, vocational rehabilitation, work support, and family therapy can also help with your condition.
Seek additional information about treatment options in proactive, medication-supportive treatments to minimize symptoms
Step 4. Be patient
The medication may take days, weeks, or even longer to become fully effective. While most people see encouraging results after taking the drug for six weeks, others may not feel any results for several months.
- If you haven't noticed any change after six weeks, talk to your doctor. You may need a higher or lower dose, or another medication.
- Never stop taking an antipsychotic drug suddenly. If you want to stop it, do so under the guidance of a doctor.
Method 3 of 5: Getting Support
Step 1. Talk to your doctor honestly
A strong support system is one of the main factors in successful treatment of schizophrenia. A good support team is made up of mental health professionals, family members, friends, and fellow schizophrenics.
- Discuss your symptoms with trusted friends and family members. They can help you in the mental health care system to get the care you need.
- Often, people with schizophrenia have difficulty managing a stable and consistent home. If you can stay with your family during this difficult time, consider letting your family care for you until your symptoms improve.
- Integrated living options, such as group homes or support apartments, exist to help people with schizophrenia. The availability of such houses varies from country to country. Check with the relevant government agency or mental health professional about these services.
Step 2. Communicate with your doctor or care provider
Good and honest communication with mental health professionals allows you to receive the best level of care they provide. Communicating your symptoms honestly with your doctor will ensure that you get the right dose of medication, not too high or too low.
- You can always seek a second opinion if you feel your current doctor is unresponsive to your needs. Never stop medical treatment without having a backup plan.
- Talk to your doctor about any questions about problems with treatment, medication side effects, persistent symptoms, or other issues.
- Your participation is critical to the effectiveness of symptom treatment. Treatment will work best if you work closely with the care team.
Step 3. Join a support group
The stigma of schizophrenia may be more disturbing than the symptom itself. In a support group made up of fellow schizophrenics, you have the same experiences as other members. Attending a support group has proven to be one of the most effective ways to minimize the difficulties of living with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions.
- In America, peer support groups are offered through mental health organizations, such as Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA) and NAMI. For information on similar support groups in your area, do an internet search.
- In developed countries like America, peer support groups are also offered over the internet. SA also provides support groups via conference calls. Choose the support group option that best suits you.
Method 4 of 5: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Step 1. Eat healthy foods
Studies show that people with schizophrenia tend to have a more unhealthy diet than people who don't have schizophrenia. Lack of exercise and smoking habits are also common among people with schizophrenia. Research shows that a diet low in saturated fat, high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, and low in sugar will be beneficial for alleviating the symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a protein that is active in areas of the brain associated with higher learning, memory, and thinking. Although the evidence is not clear, there is a hypothesis that a high-fat, high-sugar diet makes schizophrenia symptoms worse.
- An unhealthy diet can lead to secondary medical problems, such as cancer, diabetes, or obesity.
- Take more probiotics. Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria that improve gut quality. There are many people who seek health-conscious care for the symptoms of schizophrenia requiring a balanced diet containing probiotics. Sauerkraut and miso soup are good sources of probiotics. Probiotics are sometimes added to food and are available as dietary supplements.
- Avoid products that contain casein. There is a small percentage of people with schizophrenia who experience negative reactions to the casein found in dairy products.
Step 2. Quit smoking
Smoking is a more common habit among people with schizophrenia than the average population. There is one study that estimates that more than 75% of adults diagnosed with schizophrenia are also smokers.
- Nicotine can temporarily increase thinking power, and that's probably what makes people with schizophrenia smoke. However, the increase was only short term. This increase does not balance the negative consequences of smoking in the long term.
- Most smokers start smoking before the psychotic features of schizophrenia appear. Research has not clearly concluded whether smoking makes people more prone to schizophrenia, or whether higher smoking is a side effect of antipsychotic drugs.
Step 3. Try a gluten-free diet
Gluten is the common name for the protein found in most cereals. Many people with schizophrenia are also sensitive to gluten. They may have other conditions such as Celiac Disease that cause a negative reaction to gluten.
- Celiac disease is three times more common among people with schizophrenia. In general, people who are sensitive to gluten are more likely to experience mental health problems. This is due to a hypothetical connection between mental health problems and gluten intake.
- Research has not reached any conclusions about the positive benefits that a gluten-free diet can bring.
Step 4. Try the ketogenic diet
The ketogenic diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, but still provides adequate protein. This diet was originally used as a treatment for seizures, but has been adapted for a number of other mental health problems. With the ketogenic diet, the body begins to burn fat instead of sugar thereby preventing the production of extra insulin.
- There isn't enough data to show that this diet can relieve symptoms of schizophrenia, but some people want to try this diet if their symptoms don't respond to other treatments.
- The ketogenic diet is also known as the Adkins diet or the Paleo diet.
Step 5. Include more omega 3 fatty acids in your diet
Studies show that a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids can help with symptoms of schizophrenia. The benefits of omega 3 increase if your diet contains antioxidants. Antioxidants have a role in the development of schizophrenia symptoms.
- Fish oil capsules are a good source of omega 3s. Eating cold water fish such as salmon or cod also increases omega 3 levels. Other high omega 3 foods include walnuts, avocados, flax seeds, and other nuts.
- Consume 2–4 grams of omega 3 per day.
- Foods that are high in antioxidants, including vitamins E and C as well as melatonin, have been shown to help minimize the symptoms of schizophrenia.
Method 5 of 5: Treating Schizophrenia with Therapy
Step 1. Try Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Individualized cognitive therapy has been shown to be helpful in changing maladaptive behaviors and beliefs. While it may seem that CBT has only a minor impact on schizophrenia symptoms, it actually helps many patients stay on the treatment program, and has a positive impact on their overall quality of life. Group therapy is also effective.
- For best results, CBT sessions should be scheduled weekly for 12–15 weeks. The session can be repeated as needed.
- In some countries, such as the UK, CBT is the most widely administered treatment for schizophrenia than antipsychotic drugs. In other countries, CBT may be difficult to access.
Step 2. Undergo psychoeducational therapy
This is a type of therapy whose main function is to educate sufferers about the symptoms they are experiencing and how it affects their lives. Research shows that studying the symptoms of schizophrenia will help sufferers to better understand the effect the symptoms have on their lives, and as a tool to better manage the condition.
- One of the characteristics of schizophrenia is a lack of understanding, impulsivity, and inadequate planning. You will be able to make better choices about situations that have a negative impact on your life if you learn about a schizophrenia diagnosis.
- Education is a gradual process, not a short term goal. This type of therapy should be an ongoing part of the therapist's co-treatment effort, and easily combined with other types of therapy such as CBT.
Step 3. Consider Electroconvulsive Therapy, or Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
Research shows that ECT provides certain benefits for schizophrenic patients. This therapy is generally given to people with chronic depression. It is a commonly practiced treatment in the European Union, and there is little research to support its use to treat people with schizophrenia. However, there are case studies that have found patients who are resistant to other treatments may respond well to ECT.
- ECT is usually given three times a week. The length of treatment varies depending on the patient's condition, from three or four treatments to 12 or 15 treatments. The modern ECT method is pain free, unlike the version that was practiced decades ago when ECT was first introduced.
- Memory loss is a major negative side effect of ECT. Problems with memory usually improve within a few months of the last treatment.
Step 4. Use repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation, or repetitive transcranial-magnetic stimulation (TMS) to manage symptoms
This is an experimental treatment that has been shown to give promising results in several studies. However, data on this treatment are still limited. This treatment is specifically used to treat audio hallucinations.
- Studies show the most promising results for people who experience severe and persistent audio hallucinations, or “voices in the head.”
- This treatment involves using TMS for 16 minutes per day for four consecutive days.
