Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder are disorders that can significantly affect how you interact within the world. They can affect your relationships, cause problems in the workplace or at school, and sometimes even cause difficulties in how you care for yourself daily. Because of the extreme symptoms, it is essential to seek help if you find yourself struggling with the symptoms of schizophrenia. Harmony Hills has a schizophrenia treatment program that can help with schizoaffective disorder or schizophrenia. You do not have to struggle through each day to get the help you need. Contact us at 855.494.0357 today.
Schizoaffective Disorder And Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective disorder and schizophrenia share many similarities. The symptoms for each tend to be very close, and a genetic predisposition can also affect getting one of these disorders. Schizoaffective disorder varies slightly from schizophrenia in that it causes a blend of symptoms of schizophrenia symptoms and bipolar disorder. This can mean that those with schizoaffective disorder struggle with depression or mania for ongoing periods and deal with psychotic symptoms. Doctors and care professionals check symptoms to diagnose either of these disorders.
Signs Of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia affects the way that you think. This mental illness also makes it more challenging to cope with daily life. But the good news is there are ways to treat schizophrenia that can be quite effective. But the first step is getting a diagnosis. If you feel that you may have schizophrenia, it’s best to check with a provider and let them know your symptoms. Three signs of schizophrenia include the following:
Hallucinations
This can include several types of hallucinations, such as:
Auditory is when you hear voices. These voices can be in many states, including calm, angry, urgent, loud, or even quiet.
- Visual is when you see objects, patterns, people, or lights. This can cause problems with determining distance or cause issues with depth perception.
- Tactile is when you feel something moving on the body, such as insects or hands.
- Olfactory can affect what you smell or eat. You may believe you are being poisoned.
Delusions
Delusions are strange beliefs that are easily proven to be inaccurate. Sometimes, this can include beliefs such as that the television has messages for the individual or a government agency is coming to get the individual. There are many types of delusions, including:
- Referential is when general pieces of information feel like a message designed just for you.
- Persecutory is a feeling that you are being hunted or stalked.
- Somatic is a bodily delusion such as a strange health problem.
- Erotomania is when the delusion is centered around love, such as when you are convinced a loved one is cheating on you or that a celebrity has feelings for you.
- Grandiose is when self-importance is inflated to believe that you are a famous figure.
- Religious is when you believe you have a relationship with a deity or believe you are possessed.
Disorganized thinking
This can include problems with disorganized thoughts or speech. This confused thinking is common for those struggling with schizophrenia. Some examples include the following:
- You may not be able to follow a conversation
- You zone out while others talk
- Your words come out jumbled or disconnected
Each of these schizophrenia signs is typically related to forms of psychosis, which means you are experiencing the world in a different way than the individuals around you. This can be very disorienting if these symptoms are new or even over time as they may worsen.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Some additional signs of schizophrenia can include the following schizophrenia symptoms:
- Lack of motivation
- Slow movements
- Sleep disturbances
- Poor self-care habits
- Hygiene issues
- Extreme changes in emotions
- Lowered sex drive
- Social anxiety
If these symptoms sound familiar, seeking the help you may need is important.
Treatment Options for Symptoms of Schizophrenia
The good news about schizophrenia is that it can be treated with the right care and attention. At Harmony Hills, we have a treatment program that will help you manage your symptoms. Treatment for schizophrenia includes medication to treat psychosis, therapy such as behavioral health education focused on coping skills and daily life management, social support services, family work, and more.
Some common treatment options for schizophrenia include:
- Antipsychotic medications
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Family-focused therapy
- Social skills training
- Rehabilitation programs
At Harmony Hills, we provide a holistic approach to treating schizophrenia, focusing on the mind, body, and spirit. Our goal is to help you regain control of your life and manage your symptoms effectively.
Seek Help For Signs of Schizophrenia Today With Harmony Hills
Harmony Hills can help you if you are struggling with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder symptoms. These disorders can cause a significant amount of turmoil in your life. However, our experienced care professionals can work with you to individualize your care program. Call us at 855.494.0357 to learn more about getting care for schizophrenia. You can change your life today.