What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia happens when a person no longer agrees with consensual reality for longer than 6 months.

Most people experience their first episode between the ages of 15-25, although some people are much younger or older.

In retrospect, most people experienced signs before the first episode including anxiety, depression, or trouble concentrating.

Schizophrenia includes positive symptoms (delusions, voices, misunderstood behavior, etc.) and/or negative symptoms (low motivation, flat affect, trouble thinking).

Treatment

Positive symptoms often lands people in the psychiatric hospital.

The average hospital stay lasts 1-2 weeks. Treatment includes medication management and psychotherapy. For some, ECT is required to improve disorganization or mood.

The prognosis for Schizophrenia can be good for individuals who catch it early.

The Role of Therapy

Psychotherapy is an important part of treatment when used in conjunction with medications.

Therapy modalities include CBT and ACT.

In terms of every day life, gaining insight, challenging cognitive distortions, and learning psychological skills can greatly improve functioning.