Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (including schizophrenia, schizophrenifom disorder and schizoaffective disorder) all identify people who interpret reality abnormally. This perception may include delusions, paranoia, auditory and/or visual hallucinations and other diordered thinking. It is a serious mental illness and, if not treated early on, can lead to worsening of symptoms that are more difficult to control.
Importance of Early Detection
Symptoms of schizophrenia typically start to appear in early 20’s in men and a little later in women. Paranoia, delusional thinking and aberrant behavior are the first signs of this disease, progressing to auditory and then visual hallucinations. This is a chronic illness and will needed to be treated for the life of the patient if the diagnosis is accurate. Genetics play an important role in developing schizophrenia, and a family history of schizophrenia can be helpful in making the correct diagnosis, as schizophrenia is not a common mental illness
Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders
Many people with schizophrenia also struggle with anxiety, depression, and abuse alcohol and drugs to manage the symptoms and cope with their severe mental health problems.
Medication is Needed
Untreated schizophrenia will likely result in hospitalization, incarceration or other poor outcomes including suicide. Medications are necessary to control the symptoms, and there are numerous medications available with different benefits and side effect profiles. Your provider will work closely with you do determine which medication or combination of medications is best for you, and order other tests such as blood work and other studies to ensure your health is monitored and addressed while taking these medications.
Common Symptoms
- Hallucinations, which are seeing or hearing things that aren’t there.
- Delusions, which are false, fixed beliefs that are held regardless of contradictory evidence.
- Disorganized thinking. A person may switch very quickly from one topic to another or provide answers that are completely unrelated.
- Depressed mood. If a person has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder depressive type they will experience feelings of sadness, emptiness, feelings of worthlessness or other symptoms of depression.
- Manic behavior. If a person has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder: bipolar type they will experience feelings of euphoria, racing thoughts, increased risky behavior and
What Treatment For Schizophrenia Is About
Virtual & In-Person Psychiatric Consultations
Both virtual and in-person visits are available. Click on Locations at the top of the screen to see our clinic locations.
Medication Management
Your provider will discuss medications at your visit and develop a regimen that is right for you.
Ongoing Care
Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to meet your needs and frequency of follow-up appointments will be determined by you and your provider.
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