Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 5: Making the Right Diagnosis
• Method 2 of 5: Choosing a Medication
• Method 3 of 5: Seeking Support
• Method 4 of 5: Ensuring a Healthy Life
• Method 5 of 5: Psychotherapeutic treatment of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic disorder of the brain, characterized by the presence and absence of certain symptoms. In schizophrenia, symptoms such as cognitive impairment (mental impairment) and hallucinations can occur. Also, with schizophrenia, there may be no external manifestation of any emotions. The most effective way to minimize the symptoms of schizophrenia is to use a combination of medication and psychotherapy, and to provide the patient with additional moral support.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Check with your healthcare professional before using any medication.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Making the Right Diagnosis

1. 1 Seek professional medical attention. Correct diagnosis of schizophrenia is very important in treating its symptomatic manifestations. Schizophrenia is difficult to diagnose because it combines a range of symptoms that may relate to other mental illnesses and disorders. Psychiatrists are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia. Depending on where you live, the severity of your symptoms, and your financial situation, you can choose where you want to make an appointment. If you live at the place of permanent registration, you can contact a district psychiatrist who is receiving an appointment at a neuropsychiatric dispensary or clinic. Consultation with a psychiatrist is free of charge and is carried out on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note that you will need to bring your passport and your medical record to make an appointment. If you do not have the ability or desire to see a local psychiatrist, you can make an appointment with a public or private clinic where there is a psychiatrist among the specialists.
   • The average age at development of schizophrenia in men is late adolescence and the age of 20–25 years. In women, this disease develops somewhat later - at the age of 25–35 years. Schizophrenia is rarely diagnosed in children under 12 and in adults over 40.
   • Diagnosing schizophrenia in adolescents is difficult. This is because symptoms of the disease include behaviors that often occur during adolescence: avoiding friends, diminishing interest in school, trouble sleeping, and irritability.
   • Schizophrenia is associated with a genetic predisposition. If you have relatives suffering from schizophrenia, the likelihood of such a diagnosis will be higher for you than for ordinary people.
   • People of African and Spanish descent are more likely to be misdiagnosed. Try to find a psychiatrist who is knowledgeable about how schizophrenia can develop in different peoples so that you can be prescribed the best possible treatment.
2. 2 Study the symptoms of schizophrenia. A diagnosis of schizophrenia does not require all possible symptoms to be diagnosed. It is enough to be present for a certain period of time for at least two of them. These symptoms should have a noticeable negative effect on the patient's capacity to function and not have any other possible explanation (for example, be the result of taking drugs).
   • The most common symptom associated with schizophrenia is hallucinations. Hallucinations can be auditory or visual. These symptoms are often associated with psychotic episodes.
   • Speech impairment is a symptom of cognitive impairment. The person may find it difficult to understand something, may not be able to maintain the topic of the conversation, or respond to the other person with confusing and illogical phrases. He can use made-up words or speak entirely in made-up language.
   • Behavior disorders reflect the temporary loss of cognitive ability due to schizophrenia. The person may have difficulty completing certain tasks or have an obsessive urge to complete a certain task in a different way from what is usually assumed.
   • Numbness can also be a symptom of schizophrenia. In this case, a person is able to sit silently for hours without moving. He may not react at all to the environment.
   • The disappearance of symptoms of normal human behavior associated with schizophrenia is often confused with depression. These include a lack of emotionality, loss of enjoyment from daily activities, and decreased sociability.
   • Often, people with schizophrenia are not bothered by these symptoms at all, and they refuse to be treated.
3. 3 Understand that you yourself are not able to objectively assess your own symptoms. One of the most problematic characteristics of schizophrenia is the difficulty in identifying delusional ideas. Your thoughts, ideas and reflections may seem completely normal to you, but be delusional to those around you. This is often a source of strained relationships between the person with schizophrenia and his family and community.
   • Almost half of people with schizophrenia have difficulty recognizing the fact of delusional thinking disorder. Psychotherapy helps to overcome this problem.
   • The ability to seek help in case of problems, anxiety and other symptoms is key to ensuring yourself a normal life with a diagnosis such as schizophrenia.

Method 2 of 5: Choosing a Medication

1. 1 Ask your doctor to prescribe you an antipsychotic medication. Antipsychotics have been used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia since the mid-1950s. Older drugs, sometimes called typical antipsychotics or first-generation antipsychotics, work by blocking a specific subtype of dopamine receptors in the pituitary gland. Newer, or atypical, antipsychotics block not only dopamine receptors, but serotonin receptors as well. Keep in mind that antipsychotics are drugs that are only sold with a doctor's prescription.Make sure that you have written prescriptions that comply with the new rules that came into force in the Russian Federation from September 2017. You will need a prescription on Form 107-1 / y, which must include your last name, first name, patronymic and age, the Latin name of the drug, the dosage and the length of time you must take this drug. Also, the prescription must contain the surname, name and patronymic of the doctor and the seal of the medical institution and the personal seal of the doctor.
   • First-generation antipsychotics include drugs such as chlorpromazine ("Aminazine"), haloperidol, trifluoperazine ("Triftazin"), perphenazine ("Eperazine"), and fluphenazine ("Moditen depot").
   • Second-generation antipsychotics are clozapine (Azaleprin, Clozasten), risperidone (Rispolept, Rileptid, Risset, Risperidone, Torendo), olanzapine (Zalasta, Zyprexa, Egolanza "," Olanzapine "), quetiapine (" Quentiax "," Seroquel "," Ketilept "," Quetiapine "), paliperidone (" Xeplion "," Trevikta "," Invega ") and ziprasidone (" Zeldox ").
2. 2 Watch out for possible unwanted side effects. Antipsychotics often have significant side effects. Many of the side effects go away on their own after a few days. Side effects may include blurred vision, drowsiness, photosensitivity, skin rashes, and weight gain. Many women experience menstrual irregularities.
   • It may take some time to find the best medicine for you. The doctor may try different doses of the drug or a different combination of drugs. There are no two people who react in the same way to the same drugs.
   • Clozapine (drugs "Azaleprin", "Clozasten") can lead to agranulocytosis, or a decrease in the level of leukocytes. If your doctor prescribes this medication, you will need to have a blood test every one to two weeks.
   • Weight gain from antipsychotics can lead to diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
   • Long-term use of first-generation antipsychotics can lead to tardive dyskinesia (TD). TD causes involuntary muscle spasms (often in the mouth).
   • Other side effects of antipsychotics include stiffness, tremors, muscle cramps, and anxiety. If you experience these side effects, consult your doctor.
3. 3 Remember, the medication only fights the symptoms of schizophrenia. While it is important to take medications to combat the symptoms of schizophrenia, they do not cure schizophrenia by themselves. Drugs are only a means to relieve symptoms. Psychosocial interventions (including individual and family psychotherapy, social skills training, vocational rehabilitation and employment assistance) also help to better manage the patient's condition.
   • Be proactive and constantly look for more information about therapies that can work together with medication to minimize symptomatic illness.
4. 4 Be patient. You may need to take medications for days, weeks, or even longer before they are truly effective. While many notice good results after six weeks of taking the medication, some may not see positive trends for several months.
   • If you do not feel better after six weeks of taking the medication, talk to your doctor. You may be better off with a higher or lower dosage of the drug, or a completely different drug.
   • Never stop taking antipsychotic drugs abruptly. If you decide to stop taking them, do so under the supervision of your doctor.

Method 3 of 5: Seeking Support

1. 1 Talk honestly with your healthcare provider. Having a strong support system is one of the main factors in the successful treatment of schizophrenia.A good support team can include a psychiatrist, psychotherapist, family members, friends, and peers with the same diagnosis.
   • Talk to close friends and family about your symptoms. They may be able to help you find the mental health care system that will allow you to get the treatment you need.
   • It is often difficult for people with schizophrenia to maintain stable relationships when living with others. If the presence of family members helps you during times of stress, try to allow them to look after you only until the symptoms are relieved.
   • In some cases, a patient with schizophrenia requires treatment in a hospital setting. Among other things, group psychotherapy can be used for patients. Discuss all your options with your healthcare provider.
2. 2 Keep in touch with your psychiatrist at all times. Maintaining good, open contact with your treating psychiatrist will help you get the best possible treatment. Describing your symptoms honestly and in detail with your doctor will help you get the correct dosage of your medications (nothing more, nothing less).
   • You can also always seek the advice of another psychiatrist if your doctor is unable to meet your needs. However, never stop your current medication unless you have backup options to change your psychiatrist.
   • Ask your doctor any questions you have about treatment, drug side effects, persistent symptoms, or other concerns.
   • Your personal involvement also plays an important role in obtaining the most effective treatment for the symptoms of schizophrenia. Healing works best when you work as a team with the medics.
3. 3 Join a support group. The stigma of a diagnosis of schizophrenia can be even more uncomfortable than the symptoms of the disease itself. In a support group of peers with the same condition, you will have the opportunity to share experiences. It has already been proven that attending such support groups is one of the most effective ways to minimize the difficulties of living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and other mental disorders.
   • You can usually find information about support groups directly through mental health facilities. Usually such groups are created on the basis of neuropsychiatric dispensaries, and a psychiatrist or psychotherapist takes part in the work of the group. Also, try searching the web for local support groups yourself.
   • There are also similar online groups. Sometimes these groups even have conference calls. Choose the support group option that suits you best.

Method 4 of 5: Ensuring a Healthy Life

1. 1 Provide yourself with a healthy diet. Studies have shown that people with schizophrenia are more prone to unhealthy diets than those without schizophrenia. Lack of exercise and smoking are also common among people with schizophrenia. Studies have shown that a diet low in saturated fat and sugar but high in polyunsaturated fatty acids can help relieve symptoms of the disease.
   • Brain neurotrophic factor is a protein associated with nutrition and is active in areas of the brain involved in learning, memory, and higher thinking. Despite the fact that clear research data on it has not yet been obtained, it is hypothesized that a diet rich in fat and sugar will worsen the symptoms of schizophrenia.
   • An unhealthy diet can lead to secondary health problems, including cancer, diabetes, and obesity.
   • Eat more probiotics. Probiotics contain beneficial bacteria that improve bowel function.Many people who deliberately seek medical attention for schizophrenia are advised to switch to a balanced diet with probiotics. Sauerkraut and Japanese misosiru soup are good sources of probiotics. Probiotics are sometimes added to foods and sold as dietary supplements.
   • Avoid casein foods. A small number of people with schizophrenia show negative reactions to casein in dairy products.
2. 2 Stop smoking. Cigarette smoking is more common among people with schizophrenia than in the average population. According to one study, more than 75% of people with a confirmed diagnosis of schizophrenia smoke cigarettes.
   • Nicotine can lead to a temporary improvement in mental activity, possibly for this reason many people with schizophrenia decide to smoke. However, there is no long-term benefit from smoking. Therefore, the short-term benefits of smoking cannot outweigh the long-term negative effects of this bad habit.
   • In many cases, sick people began smoking even before the onset of psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. Research does not provide a clear answer to the question of whether cigarette smoke may be responsible for an increased susceptibility to schizophrenia, or whether the higher percentage of smokers among people with schizophrenia is simply a side effect of antipsychotic treatment.
3. 3 Try a gluten-free diet. Gluten is the generic name for the proteins found in most cereals. Many people with schizophrenia are sensitive to gluten. They may have a concomitant disease such as celiac disease (celiac disease), which is the cause of a negative reaction to gluten.
   • Celiac disease occurs in people with schizophrenia three times more often than the average population. In general, people with gluten sensitivities are more prone to mental problems. This is thought to be due to a hypothetical link between gluten intake and mental health.
   • However, mainstream science has yet to come to a conclusion about the benefits of a gluten-free diet.
4. 4 Try a ketogenic diet. A ketogenic diet is high in fat and low in carbohydrates, yet contains adequate amounts of protein. This diet was originally used in the treatment of seizures, but later it was adapted for a variety of other psychiatric disorders. With a ketogenic diet, the body starts burning fats rather than sugars, thereby avoiding excess insulin production.
   • There is little evidence at this time that such a diet can help relieve symptoms of schizophrenia, but some people may wish to resort to it if their symptoms do not respond to other treatments.
   • The ketogenic diet is also known as the Atkins diet and the paleo diet.
5. 5 Include more sources of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Studies have shown that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help fight the symptoms of schizophrenia. The beneficial effects of omega-3 acids are enhanced when antioxidants are also present in the diet. Antioxidants may also play a role in the development of symptoms of schizophrenia.
   • Fish oil capsules are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Eating cold-water fish like tuna or cod can also increase omega-3 levels. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids include hazelnuts and other nuts, avocados, and flaxseed.
   • Take 2-4 grams of omega-3 fatty acids daily.
   • It is also believed that foods rich in antioxidants, including vitamins E and C, as well as melatonin, can also help to minimize the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Method 5 of 5: Psychotherapeutic treatment of schizophrenia

1. 1 Try cognitive behavioral therapy. Individualized cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective means of correcting maladaptive behaviors and beliefs.Although this therapy has little or no direct effect on the symptoms of schizophrenia, it helps many patients adhere to their chosen treatment and has a positive effect on their overall quality of life. Group therapy can also be effective.
   • For best results, CBT sessions should be given once a week for 12-15 weeks. These treatments are repeated as needed.
   • In some countries (such as the UK), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most common treatment for schizophrenia (other than antipsychotic medication). In other countries, this treatment, on the other hand, may be difficult to obtain.
2. 2 Use psychoeducational therapy. This type of therapy is mainly aimed at better understanding your own symptoms of the disease and their effect on your life. Studies have shown that studying the symptoms of schizophrenia can help a person better understand how they affect him and be better at controlling them.
   • Characteristic features of schizophrenia include lack of discernment, impulsivity, and inability to plan. Learning the knowledge you need about your diagnosis will help you learn how to make better decisions in situations that negatively affect your life.
   • Learning is a gradual process with long-term goals. This type of therapy should be an ongoing basis for communication with your psychiatrist. In addition, it can be easily combined with other therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy.
3. 3 Consider using electroconvulsive therapy. Research suggests that electroconvulsive therapy has some beneficial effects in schizophrenic patients. Often, this treatment is prescribed for people with chronic depression. This type of therapy is more common in the EU, but so far there is little evidence that this therapy is effective in treating schizophrenia. However, there have been isolated cases when people with persistent symptoms that do not respond to other types of treatment have received a positive effect from electroconvulsive therapy.
   • Electroconvulsive therapy procedures are usually performed three times a week. The patient may need to carry out from several sessions (three or four) to 12-15 procedures. Modern methods of electroconvulsive therapy are painless, unlike those that were practiced at the dawn of this technique.
   • The main negative side effects of electroconvulsive therapy include possible memory loss. But memory problems usually go away a couple of months after the last procedure.
4. 4 Use transcranial magnetic stimulation to manage symptoms. It is an experimental treatment that has already shown some promising results in a number of studies. However, data on this type of treatment is still limited. Transcranial magnetic stimulation can be purposefully used to treat auditory hallucinations.
   • The technique is most promising in the treatment of severe persistent auditory hallucinations in which people hear "voices."
   • Treatment consists of 16 minutes of daily transcranial magnetic stimulation sessions for four days.