Schizophrenia is a mental health condition in which there is a complete breakdown of the normal thought process and the emotional responses to different conditions. As a result an individual who suffers from schizophrenia displays a bizarre manner of interpretation of reality. The cognitive processes are severely compromised. Hallucinations, illusions, delusions and incoherent speech and thinking are commonly observed in schizophrenics. Schizophrenia is not to be confused with split personality or multiple personality disorder. The terms schizophrenia and multiple personality disorder or split personality are often used interchangeably. This however is a common mistake, as schizophrenia is not a dissociative identity disorder such as split personality or multiple personality wherein the person manifests different identities. Schizophrenia primarily affects thinking and this distorted cognition leads to emotional and behavioral complications.

Schizophrenia

It may come as a surprise to you, but schizophrenia is really not uncommon, with as many as 24 million people afflicted with the condition. If you?re in your forties or fifties it may be a welcome change to find that you?re not in the high risk group for a change, as the condition typically afflicts younger adults, between the ages of 15 and 35. Schizophrenia is treatable, but the effectiveness of treatment varies, depending on how early you begin treatment. Keep in mind that schizophrenia is a chronic disorder, which is why the prevalence of the disease is also high. The stages of schizophrenia are the prodromal stage, the acute stage and the residual stage. The first stage is the stage before the condition manifests itself actively. In the acute stage, the symptoms such as hallucinations, illusions and delusions are extensive. The last stage or the residual stage is when the patient does not have any active symptoms after treatment, but may show signs of depression, and have ideas or thoughts that may be strange. Each patient manifests signs of the disease differently. Some schizophrenics may have only a single episode of the disease whereas others may suffer from several episodes.

Remedies for Schizophrenia
Remedies include medical remedies, lifestyle changes and family and community support. Almost half of all patients who suffer from schizophrenia do not get appropriate treatment and therefore their condition worsens. In countries where there is not enough awareness or if there is severe social stigma, the condition of the schizophrenics is appalling. Schizophrenia can be managed and controlled with treatment, but the treatment is life long since it is a chronic disease. Appropriate treatment is important for long term management and to reduce the number of schizophrenic episodes based on the severity of the disorder.

Medications are a must for schizophrenic patients. Antipsychotic medications are most commonly administered to schizophrenics. The side effects or health risks posed by these medications can be quite severe and debilitating, but this is one of those scenarios in which the risks are not really avoidable. This to a large extent also explains the reduced life expectancy of schizophrenics. This said, patients and care givers must be informed about the risks posed from medications and also the dosages and other guidelines to be followed. These medications regulate the brain?s neurotransmitters. In extreme cases, the patient may also need hospitalization.

Along with medications, the patient also requires psycho-social treatments. Counseling, family therapy, social and behavioral therapy and community support therapy are all essential to help the patient cope with the illness. Lifestyle changes include helping the patient to reduce anxiety and stress, relaxation techniques, setting simple goals and achieving them and being part of a support group.