PERSONALISED SCHIZOPHRENIA TREATMENT PROGRAMS

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition, most usually diagnosed between the ages of 13 - 40. It is believed to affect just over 1% of the population and there is no cure.
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THE WAVE CLINIC > MENTAL HEALTH > SCHIZOPHRENIA

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition, most usually diagnosed between the ages of 13 - 40. It is believed to affect just over 1% of the population. There is currently no ‘cure’ for schizophrenia. There is however, much that we can do to assist, through medical stabilisation and effective medication, therapy, education and social awareness.

Our treatment programs for schizophrenia, begin with a stabilisation phase. Our young people often join us, when things have become difficult or symptoms have increased to a level that affects daily functioning. They often arrive confused, afraid and reluctant to accept treatment. They may often appear to be separated from reality.

Symptoms can include acute paranoia. This sometimes leads the young person to refuse treatment, through fear, just as they need it most. Our high intensity program situated in a secure environment and away from the hustle and bustle of the main programs, is a wonderful, safe place to begin for young people in mental health crisis.

For many the treatment episode will not need a secure level of intervention, in which case we are able to commence in the main house within our psychosis service. Under the care of Dr. Rasyid; our medical team will ensure that 24 hour nursing is on hand to assist. Our orientation phase will allow the young person and family to rest, as we carefully assess. Together with the family we will formulate a treatment plan to return the young person to stable mental health and long term recovery. This will include medication management. Focused mental health therapy and individual targeted care plans.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia include:

Visual/auditory hallucinations, often the young person can see or hear things that other people are not able to.
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Difficulty concentrating, starting or finishing tasks, or feeling more confused than usual. Difficulty understanding situations or following conversations or events.
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This can be very frightening for families and troubling for the young adult who is experiencing these symptoms.
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Sometimes, this may be accompanied by unusual tastes or smells.
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They may isolate, have disrupted sleeping patterns.
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Stay awake throughout the night or you may find them talking with animals, pets, photographs or other memory objects. This can be difficult to understand and worrying to see.
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There may also be a concern that the young person is abusing drugs or alcohol; bot prescribed and substances that they have acquired illegally.
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You may notice that their speech does not seem to follow a logical pattern and that it is difficult to keep them a subject or understand the chain of thoughts.
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Visual/auditory hallucinations, often the young person can see or hear things that other people are not able to.
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They may seem emotionally exhausted or numb.
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Sometimes, this may be accompanied by unusual tastes or smells.
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They may isolate, have disrupted sleeping patterns,
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Have a lack of facial expressions often described as flatness.
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Visual/auditory hallucinations, often the young person can see or hear things that other people are not able to.
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This can be very frightening for families and troubling for the young adult who is experiencing these symptoms.
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Sometimes, this may be accompanied by unusual tastes or smells.
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They may isolate, have disrupted sleeping patterns,
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Stay awake throughout the night or you may find them talking with animals, pets, photographs or other memory objects. This can be difficult to understand and worrying to see.
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There may also be a concern that the young person is abusing drugs or alcohol; bot prescribed and substances that they have acquired illegally.
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You may notice that their speech does not seem to follow a logical pattern and that it is difficult to keep them a subject or understand the chain of thoughts.
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If you are increasingly concerned or worried, you should seek medical advice without delay.

Treatment for Schizophrenia

Long-term residential treatment is the treatment of choice for schizophrenia. Your family member is able to benefit from the safety and structure of the treatment environment. With understanding and support from Clinicians and peers, they will begin to understand more about their symptoms, how to manage underlying issues and regain strength and a bridge to independent living. Out treatment plans will assist with stabilising moods, self care practices, social skills, avoiding drugs and substances, complying with treatment, accepting help from professionals and addressing co-ocurring mental health conditions. .

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FAQ'S

What are the different types of schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia symptoms are different for every individual. Some people are able to describe their symptoms very easily. Others struggle to explain what is happening for them.

Paranoid schizophrenia: paranoid schizophrenia is possibly the sub type that most people think of when discussing schizophrenia. Symptoms can include suspicious, grandiose behaviours or feelings of persecution. Unusual displays of emotion and connection.

Disorganised schizophrenia: difficult to follow, incoherent although not necessarily hallucinating.

What are some additional types?

Catatonic schizophrenia: withdrawn, isolating, selective silence, negative and may assume an unusual way of being or posturing.

Residual schizophrenia: no longer delusional nor hallucinating; however, there is a marked loss of interest and motivation for life.

Schizoaffective Disorder: symptoms are usually those of schizophrenia together with a mood disorder; often major depressive disorder or bi-polar disorder.

Can schizophrenia be triggered by drugs?

There is no single cause of schizophrenia.

In susceptible individuals using drugs may trigger symptoms of schizophrenia.

Cannabis, LSD, cocaine and amphetamines may cause significant symptoms in users.

Suggestions indicate that Teenagers who use cannabis regularly, especially a variant know as ‘skunk’ and other potent strains are four times more likely than their non-using peers to develop schizophrenia by age 26

How do you treat schizophrenia?

Nearly all patients with schizophrenia will need lifelong medication, therapy and support in order to relieve the symptoms and regain some stability in life.

Antipsychotic medication is very useful in reviving symptoms and can be given orally or by injection. Sometimes extended injections can last for up to three months.

Coordinated specialist care is the term used to describe, Intensive Psychotherapy, social skills awareness, emotional stability and routine are great ways to improve functioning. Coaching in treatment compliance and medication management can also prove beneficial.

Isolation can be reduced by gently building confidence and reality, helping those with symptoms to read situations more effectively.

For more FAQs, please refer to our FAQs page.