Understandably, a schizophrenia diagnosis can be difficult to receive and treat. However, treatment is possible if you or the person you care about receives support and care from a healthcare provider. Schizophrenia inpatient treatment may also be a suitable option if symptoms are severe and interfere with daily activities. These environments offer 24/7 care and support, assisting people with regaining control and living a full, meaningful life.
To help you better understand the ins and outs of residential schizophrenia treatment programs, this page explores:
Schizophrenia is serious and can have a significant effect on how people feel and behave at any given time. Hallucinations can be auditory (hearing things) or visual (seeing things) that others cannot. It can become difficult for people with untreated schizophrenia to discern between reality and their delusions.2,6
Someone with schizophrenia typically needs lifelong treatment, including medicine, therapy, and skills to manage daily life. Plus, when psychosis goes untreated, it can become severe, potentially leading to hospitalizations, poorer health over time, and negative social outcomes, injuries, or possibly death.
One of the most frightening things about schizophrenia is how difficult it is to prepare for. Further, if someone has relatives who are schizophrenic, the chance of it affecting them at some point may be greater than for other people. However, many people can live a life free from symptoms unless they experience a traumatic incident, experiment with drugs recreationally, or another trigger sends them into psychosis.2
If you’re concerned about the symptoms of schizophrenia, it’s important to consult your doctor. While there is no singular test for schizophrenia, your doctor can refer you to a mental health professional who can conduct a comprehensive assessment of symptoms. This assessment will likely involve interviews, ruling out other mental health conditions, and questions about how symptoms affect everyday life.
Signs and Symptoms of Schizophrenia
It’s good to note that the symptoms of schizophrenia are unique from the signs. Symptoms are what someone experiences on the inside, not how they act or behave outwardly. These symptoms can be hard to identify if you don’t understand them or are unable to express yourself in a way that others understand.
The signs of schizophrenia can look like one or multiple of the following:
Delusions
The outward signs of schizophrenia can include:
Withdrawing
Teenagers and young adults can be very difficult to diagnose early because, aside from hallucinations and delusions, some of the early signs of schizophrenia are also representative of typical teen behavior.
If you or someone you love is at risk for schizophrenia, it is vitally important that they stay away from recreational drug use. Even lower-level drugs like cannabis can trigger psychosis – but these are often used by those suffering from schizophrenia as self-medication.
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If we are not an appropriate provider for care, we will assist in finding a care provider that can help.
Although most schizophrenic patients experience delusions and hallucinations, not all people with schizophrenia experience the same exact symptoms. Therefore, there are multiple types.
The categories of schizophrenia are:3
Many of those who experience this disorder, unfortunately, have multiple symptoms. Any of these categories can include symptoms from the others; the differentiation is just a way to identify the main behaviors for the person at hand. Additionally, all types of schizophrenia include traits like social withdrawal and neglect of personal hygiene.
Rather confusingly, there are similar disorders with similar names that are not schizophrenia. These disorders can have some of the same traits but may be defined slightly differently. Ensuring you have a proper diagnosis can affect your treatment and medications, so it is vital to speak with a physician and not to self-diagnose or self-medicate.
Disorders similar to schizophrenia include:
Unfortunately, there is a strong possibility of co-morbidity with a schizophrenia diagnosis. This means that if you have schizophrenia, you could also live with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions. However, with help, these can all be managed, and the signs and symptoms can be reduced significantly.4
Some mental health treatment centers can provide confidential and free assessments for those experiencing active psychosis and other schizophrenia symptoms. A Mission For Michael (AMFM) offers free assessments as a component of our admission treatment program. Our assessment aims to understand your current symptoms and determine the effect they have on your functioning.
To begin your private assessment, we invite you to speak with an AMFM admission counselor by calling us today.
If you suspect you have been experiencing delusions or hallucinations, it is always a good idea to check in with a professional. A therapist or primary care doctor can connect you with a proper inpatient program for schizophrenia if this is the right approach for you. It is important to follow medical advice to ensure that you are able to live your most optimal, healthy life.
Since schizophrenia is a serious mental health imbalance, it is essential to get professional help as soon as you can if you feel you may be experiencing the signs. Treatment and management of the condition are possible, but can become more difficult the longer you go without proper therapy and medication.
The following are the typical approaches to schizophrenia treatment.
Psychotherapy is also known as “talk therapy” and is used to identify signs of schizophrenia, triggers, behaviors, and skills to ensure personal and social health. It can help significantly with managing symptoms, learning how schizophrenia has impacted your life, and discovering how to cope with this lifelong diagnosis.
The following are types of therapy often used to treat schizophrenia:
Any one of these therapies might be helpful to you on your journey to discovering more about this diagnosis. Also, don’t hesitate to try one or multiple types of therapy, as there is always more to learn and discover.
There are two main types of medications for schizophrenia:
Typical antipsychotics:
Research into schizophrenia medications is constantly being updated and improved, so speak with a professional about the latest findings in schizophrenia medication.
Residential schizophrenia treatment programs offer live-in, intensive support for people facing mental health challenges. Think of it like a retreat for your mind, body, and soul – a place where you can step away from the pressures of daily life and focus on healing.
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, schizophrenia inpatient treatment can offer several advantages over outpatient care. Some of these include:
A schizophrenia diagnosis can not only disorganize your thoughts, but it can also disturb your life from what it was before. This can strain social ties, damage relationships, and create an impulse to withdraw from others.
The idea of psychosocial treatment is to help you with daily life and social interactions, and specifically involves interacting with others. Accessing training, peer support groups, or assertive community treatment (ACT) can have a pivotal difference in your quality of life.
Holistic approaches can be beneficial to improving quality of life when paired with therapy and medications. In addition to psychotherapy and medications, you can also utilize:
It’s not advised to use these approaches in lieu of professional mental health treatment. Schizophrenia is a serious illness that cannot go untreated for any amount of time. Please consult your physician before including any therapies or approaches not prescribed by a doctor.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Schizophrenia support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
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Although schizophrenia can be a difficult diagnosis, it doesn’t have to dictate your happiness or fulfillment. With the right support, therapy, medication, and routine, you can live a healthy, happy life. A Mission For Michael can help you on this journey. We have the necessary therapies and access to therapists trained in recovery from schizophrenia disorder.
Residential treatment is often necessary when people are first learning about their schizophrenia, and sometimes intermittently when life has its more difficult ebbs and flows. At AMFM, you’ll receive a comprehensive assessment, evidence-based treatments like DBT, CBT, Group and family therapy, medication management, and daily life skills. Reach out to our team today to learn more about how we can support you.
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