Holistic Healing Psychiatry

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Schizophrenia

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What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental health disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It is characterized by distortions in thinking, perception, emotions, language, sense of self, and behavior. Schizophrenia often involves psychosis experiencing delusions and hallucinations. The onset typically occurs in late adolescence to early adulthood, and its effects are long-lasting, often requiring lifelong treatment.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a complex mental health condition characterized by a range of symptoms that affect a person’s thinking, behavior, and emotional regulation. These symptoms are typically grouped into three main categories: positive, negative, and cognitive.

Positive Symptoms:

  • Hallucinations (most commonly auditory, such as hearing voices).
  • Delusions (false beliefs that are not based in reality).
  • Disorganized speech and thinking.
  • Abnormal motor behavior, including agitation or catatonia.

Negative Symptoms:

  • Diminished emotional expression (flat affect).
  • Reduced speech output.
  • Lack of motivation and social withdrawal.
  • Decreased ability to experience pleasure.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

Diagnosing Schizophrenia  requires a comprehensive assessment that includes:

1.Clinical Assessment:

  • A thorough evaluation by a psychiatrist or psychologist to gather detailed history of symptoms, emotional state, and functional abilities.
  •  Focuses on onset, duration, and intensity of symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized behavior.

 2.Evaluation Using Standardized Psychiatric Tools

  •  Utilizes structured diagnostic tools such as the DSM-5 criteria, PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), or BPRS (Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale).
  •  Ensures accurate diagnosis by assessing the severity and types of symptoms systematically.

3. Medical Evaluation

  • Physical exams and laboratory tests (e.g., blood tests, neuroimaging) are used to rule out medical or neurological conditions.
  • Helps differentiate schizophrenia from other disorders like substance-induced psychosis, brain injury, or mood disorders with psychotic features.

4. Functional Assessment

  •  Evaluates how symptoms impact daily life, including work, school, relationships, and independent living.
  •  Determines the level of support and rehabilitation services required for optimal recovery and stability.