Schizophrenia

About

What Is Schizophrenia?

It feels like a demon residing within your mind.

Schizophrenia is a severe, long-term, and debilitating brain problem that affects people.

The majority of mad persons you see have chronic schizophrenia. However, in their early phases, they make up less than 1% of all schizophrenia patients. Schizophrenia patients appear perfectly normal except for minor behavioral abnormalities. Family members only begin to notice symptoms of the illness after a few months.

Schizophrenia symptoms are linked to brain chemicals called serotonin and dopamine. The signs and symptoms of schizophrenia are caused by structural and functional alterations in these substances.

Who Can Get Schizophrenia?

Although anyone can develop schizophrenia at any age, most cases occur in people between the ages of 18 and 40. People who are shy and introverted have a higher chance of developing this illness and making it worse. An individual is more vulnerable if there is a family history of schizophrenia and other mental diseases. Men are more likely than women to have schizophrenia, both in terms of frequency and severity.

People who have experienced psychological trauma such as stress, divorce, job loss, financial loss, etc. are also more likely to develop schizophrenia.

Teenagers who use psychoactive substances like Ganja, Hashish, Opioids, etc. run a higher chance of contracting this illness.

Symptoms To Look For

Delusions (False Suspicions) :

  • Patients often have unshakeable, irrational beliefs. They may believe that people are talking negatively about them, plotting against them, or staring and laughing at them.
  • They might suspect that someone is trying to poison their food or that they are at risk of being trapped, killed, or arrested by the police.
  • Some patients have delusions about their spouse's fidelity, believing they are being cheated on and constantly trying to catch their partner in an affair.

Hallucinations :

  • Patients may see, hear, or feel things that aren't there. They often report hearing voices, which could be from people, spirits, God, ghosts, or animals. These voices might give them commands, sometimes to harm themselves or others.
  • Patients might talk back to these voices, alarming their families who may seek spiritual healing.
  • Visual hallucinations can include seeing faces, ghosts, or other figures that others cannot see.

Negative Symptoms :

  • Individuals may become emotionally detached from loved ones and show little interest in life.
  • Patients often appear aloof, sit alone, and avoid conversations. They may stop attending school or work and maintain a social distance.

Disorganized Behavior :

  • Patients may exhibit abnormal and erratic behaviors, such as extreme anger, agitation, vandalism, or aggression.
  • They might refuse treatment, believing they are perfectly healthy.
  • Some patients may fall into a state of complete inactivity, staying in one position for hours, neglecting personal hygiene, and exhibiting inappropriate emotional reactions like crying or laughing without reason.

Treatment of Schizophrenia

Early diagnosis and intervention are the key.

Most people with schizophrenia are not conscious that they need to be in therapy.
Because of this, it is usually left to friends or family to get help and take the sufferer to a mental health facility.
Positive outcomes for patients with schizophrenia depend heavily on identification and treatment.
Complete recovery from schizophrenia is more difficult if treatment is not received for several years.

The most common medications used in the treatment of schizophrenia are antipsychotics. By altering the brain’s dopaminergic neurotransmitter, they reduce symptoms.

Medication is usually enough to keep schizophrenia under control. Nonetheless, in certain circumstances, hospitalization and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are necessary to treat medical symptoms.

How to Manage Schizophrenia ?

Regular follow-up and following doctor’s advice

The most common medications used in the treatment of schizophrenia are antipsychotics. By altering the brain’s dopaminergic neurotransmitter, they reduce symptoms.

But it increases the risk of recurrence, which is common in people with schizophrenia. Thus, it is imperative to follow up with your doctor on a frequent basis and to take medicine for the whole recommended duration when treating schizophrenia.

The involvement of family members

In the NURON clinic the therapist helps family members understand how to care for the person with schizophrenia. This implies that the family can make sure that their members adhere to the prescribed course of action and take their medications on schedule. When the patient’s symptoms recur, the family should know when to take them back to the hospital.​

What you should not do?

Don’t waste time on spiritual healing or spirit exorcism.

Avoiding directives or commands such as “You’ll follow my instructions” or “You’re acting like a child.”

Over emotion toward the patient or succumbing to their requests could make their symptoms worse.

If you think the patient is not listening, don’t strike them or yell at them. Indirect measures like confining or restraining violent patients can be an ingenious way to handle them.

How We Can Help!

Taking the first step towards mental health wellness is crucial. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and start your journey to better mental health. We are here to help you every step of the way.

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What Our Patients Say about us

Here's what our satisfied patients have to say about Samvedana Minds LLP and our experts. We are dedicated to seeing our patients smile. For privacy reasons, names have been changed.

"Dr. Pradip in Rajkot is an excellent psychiatrist. His compassionate and professional care, along with a well-maintained clinic, make for a highly positive experience. Highly recommended!"

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"My wife was suffering from depression for few months back . Someone recommended dr pradip. Sir has good counseling skill and gave minimum medicine. Now she is better and out of depression."

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"Dr. Dalsaniya Saheb tackled my erectile dysfunction and low sexual desire with a holistic approach, focusing on therapy rather than just medication. His blend of therapy and couple counseling was incredibly effective. I strongly suggest his services!"

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"Good hospital with great staff and outstanding care and also He is good at counseling, gives only necessary medicine, and listens well. Highly recommended and Yes Definitely worth considering!"

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"Dr. Pradip sir is really nice and caring. He listens well and genuinely cares about his patients. I definitely recommend him!"

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is psychiatrist, and what do they do ?

  • When should you consult a psychiatrist?

    If any negative mood state, anxiety, insomnia, appetite change, emotional disturbance, substance dependence, or any other symptom affecting thought, mood, or sleep persists for more than two weeks, you should consult a psychiatrist. Conversely, any symptoms causing acute distress should not be ignored and should be discussed with your doctor.

  • Are psychiatric medicines addictive ?

    It's a myth that psychiatrists prescribe medicines to make patients sleep throughout the day and that these medicines will cause dependence that patients can never overcome. Barring a few exceptions, most psychiatric medications are non-sedative. Irregular treatments, self-modulation of doses, and irregular lifestyles can hamper your treatment. Psychiatric medications taken under the supervision of a psychiatrist are not addictive.

  • Is lifelong medication necessary once I initiate treatment?

    Treatment duration is influenced by various factors, including your diagnosis, the seriousness of your condition, how long you've experienced symptoms, any other medical conditions you have, and how consistently you adhere to treatment plans. It's important not to stigmatize psychiatric illnesses and to actively seek the help you need.

  • Is it wise to seek professional advice from a psychiatrist regarding sexual concerns?

    Seeking help from a psychiatrist for sex-related issues is important because over 75% of such problems stem from psychological stress, performance anxiety, or fear of failure. Only a qualified psychiatrist can provide proper treatment, unlike unqualified practitioners or self-proclaimed experts. It's crucial to opt for scientific solutions rather than falling prey to quacks, fake hakims, or babas.

  • What treatments options do psychiatrist offers ?

  • Why choose Dr. Pradip Dalsaniya as psychiatrist?

    Dr. Pradip Dalsaniya stands out as one of the youngest consultant psychiatrists in Rajkot, holding an M.D. degree in psychiatry. With over a decade of experience across various regions of Gujarat, he has effectively addressed numerous chronic and challenging psychiatric cases. Dr. Dalsaniya is renowned for his exceptional counseling abilities, humility, enthusiasm, and attentive listening skills.

  • Is gaming or using smartphone too much, an issue?

    Social media, online games, gambling, texting – a smartphone has put up on our fingers too many options to explore. Commonly screen time should not be more than 1 hour/Day.

    Our use of smartphone is an addictive behaviour & in generations to come this will be for sure a bigger addicted to this than any substance.

  • Is marriage in a person with mental illness possible?

    There are more than 300 psychiatric diagnosis. As per the severity, available treatment and good rehabilitation of patient they can lead a normal life. Most of the psychiatric illness have no issues in marriage. But if you are suffering from any such illness or your chosen partner is found to be suffering, contact your nearby psychiatrist to understand the viability.