Schizophrenia: Signs and Causes

Schizophrenia is an extremely serious mental disorder in which the individual suffers from delusions, hallucinations, accompanied by abnormal behaviour. According to a study by the Best neurologist in Delhi, the patient faces difficulty even in carrying out his routine chores and activities. In some cases, the condition becomes so severe that the patient requires 24x7 medical care and assistance. For this, they can either be hospitalized, or require full-time care at home. The condition can never be fully treated, but it can only be improved with medications and treatment.

Signs you are suffering from Schizophrenia

As per a Neurologist in South Delhi, the degree and kinds of symptoms as well as signs of Schizophrenia may vary for each patient. However, patients mostly suffer from the following below-mentioned symptoms:

• Hallucinations

Patients suffering from Schizophrenia report hallucinations as the most common symptom. They experience hearing and seeing the voices and objects which do not exist in reality. But they believe in abnormal realities which do not have any existence.

• Delusions

After Hallucinations, Delusions are another most common symptom of Schizophrenia. Delusions are misleading or false conceptions about things and objects which do not have any existence in reality. For instance, the patient may have the idea of committing suicide thinking that everyone hates him, or he may have illogical anger towards others, he may think he is in love, or may consider himself as a person of reputation.

• Abnormal Behaviour

Abnormal or illogical behaviour is also a common sign of schizophrenia. Patients suffering from Schizophrenia may show signs of mood swings or mood disorders. At some point, you may find them extremely angry, at other times unreasonably sad or happy. Hence, they show irrational behaviour on almost all occasions.

• Distorted Speech

Distorted or Illogical Speech occurs due to Distorted thinking and listening. The patients hear and think things that have no reality, which results in distortion of speech. They may speak words that may sound meaningless most of the time. 

• Poor body coordination

A Neurologist in South Delhi says that the patients suffering from Schizophrenia project poor or weak body coordination. They show poor muscle strength, hence resulting in grumpy hands and leg movement. They face difficulty in performing their routine activities including personal hygiene. 

According to the Best neurologist in Delhi, if detected early the patients may show some improvement in these symptoms over time. Hence, timely diagnosis and treatment is the key to avoiding circumstances of worsening of symptoms over time.

Causes of Schizophrenia

The exact cause of this extremely severe neurological disorder is unknown but according to certain case studies and researches on schizophrenia, various health experts believe that it occurs as a result of changes in the chemical activities of the brain. Now, these changes may occur as a result of drug abuse, accident or mental trauma. It can also occur as a result of genetics, or complications during pregnancy. Hence, the exact cause is difficult to predict. 

Risk factors associated with Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is much more serious than it may appear to be. It can be life-threatening in some cases, as the patient may entertain suicidal thoughts. 

• Suicidal thoughts result from overthinking or negative thinking.

• Depression or Mental trauma will last for a lifetime

• Violent Behaviour or Aggression over little things

• Feeling isolated or dejected

• Getting indulged in drugs and alcohol

• May harm others or entertain thoughts of harming others

• Inability to talk or socialize

• May have the risk of developing other health disorders

Schizophrenia Treatment

There are no treatments to cure Schizophrenia but only to improve its symptoms over time. 

• Therapies

Certain therapies can be used for improving symptoms of Schizophrenia like Individual Psychotherapy, Cognitive behaviour therapy and Cognitive Enhancement Therapy. A combination of these therapies can help reduce the symptoms of hallucinations, delusions and aggressive behaviour changes.

• Medications

Certain medications can be used to treat symptoms of  Schizophrenia like Pimozide, Haloperidol, Thiothexene, Loxapine, Perphenazine, Fluphenazine etc. These can be given in the form of tablets or capsules. In some cases, injections may be used.

• Rehabilitation 

Rehabilitation is another way of treating Schizophrenia symptoms.