The burden of society, family and office responsibilities can make anyone a mental patient. At the same time, in today's modern era, mental illness is seen by associating with insanity, whereas it is not so. Literally, along with physical problems, treatment of mental problem is also necessary. In some cases, the mental disorder takes a severe form, which in medical form is called schizophrenia.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), schizophrenia is a brain-related disorder afflicting approximately 21 million people worldwide. Despite this, about 50% of the people suffering from schizophrenia do not get the right treatment. [Trusted Source 1]
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects the thinking ability of the people. During this time the person starts living an imaginary world. People can hear voices that are not really there. Schizophrenia may also cause problems in talking to the person. [Trusted Source 2]
It affects the whole life of the person with schizophrenia. A person suffering from schizophrenia starts having problems in taking care of all his/her own life such as studies, jobs and family responsibilities etc. [Trusted Source 3]
Types of Schizophrenia
There are five types of schizophrenia [Trusted Source 4] -
- Catatonic schizophrenia
- Disorganized schizophrenia
- Paranoid schizophrenia
- Undifferentiated schizophrenia
- Residual schizophrenia
Stages of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia can be divided into four stages; including [Trusted Source 5] -
First Stage: This is called the premorbid state. During this time, there is a lack of ability to understand and think.
Second Stage: This is called the prodrome stage. During this period some psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations begin to be felt, but they aren't serious. [Trusted Source 6]
Third Stage: During this time all the psychotic symptoms are visible. After reaching this stage, the probability of treating schizophrenia remains only 25 percent or less.
Fourth Stage: This is the last stage of schizophrenia. By this stage, the person becomes completely ill. At the same time, it completely loses its ability to think and perform daily tasks properly.
Causes of Schizophrenia
It would be difficult to say that one of the reasons behind schizophrenia works where this cause affects both men and women. In addition, it can negatively affect men sooner than that of women. The major causes of schizophrenia include [Trusted Source 7] -
Genetic:
If you have a family history of schizophrenia, then you are at a higher risk of having this mental condition. There is a 10 percent chance that child may also be a victim.
Biochemical Factors:
Some biochemicals present in the brain, especially the imbalance of a neurotransmitter called dopamine, can cause schizophrenia. This chemical imbalance may also be due to genetic, birth defects or certain types of complications during pregnancy.
Stress:
Stress is believed to be involved in the cause of schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia often have problems concentrating anywhere, causing them to become anxious and irritable. Apart from this, in this situation, not paying attention to family and self, etc. also causes stress.
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
Symptoms of schizophrenia begin to appear in children in some rare conditions. Symptoms can be divided into three parts; including [Trusted Source 8] -
Positive Symptoms:
In this psychological behavior of the person changes, which is not seen in the common person. Due to these symptoms, the person starts getting away from reality. These changes happen in this way -
- Hallucination
- A myth
- Have trouble thinking
- Having trouble doing physical activities
Negative Symptoms:
These symptoms can cause changes in the normal behavior and emotions of the victim, such as -
- Speak less
- Loss of voice
- Lack of feelings in everyday life
- Problems starting at any new work or continuation of the old
Cognitive Symptoms:
In some patients, these symptoms of schizophrenia are mild, but may prove to be dangerous, such as -
- Memory loss
- Have trouble making things
- Having trouble focusing
Risk Factors of Schizophrenia
The risk factors of schizophrenia may include [Trusted Source 7] [Trusted Source 8] -
- Psychosocial factors
- Consumption of alcohol and other drugs
- Contact with some types of viruses
- Birth defect
- Malnutrition at birth
Treatment of Schizophrenia
Before beginning this part of the article, let me once again tell you that schizophrenia treatment is not yet available. Certain drugs, medications and therapies described below can only reduce the symptoms. [Trusted Source 8]
Antipsychotic Treatment:
Antipsychotic means psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and medications to reduce confusion. [Trusted Source 9]
This treatment is given in tablet or syrup form. In some situations, injections of antipsychotic drugs are also administered. Initially, this treatment may have some side effects, but they are cured within a few days.
Psychosocial Treatment:
This is a type of therapy that is started after the patient has received the right medicine. Here let me tell you that not all medicines work for all the patients. Therefore, the doctor or health care provider first check which medicine will work and benefit the patient. In psychosocial treatment, doctors help the patient to concentrate in everyday work such as going to office and studying etc.
Coordinated Specialty Care:
This treatment includes medicines, therapy, seeking family help, studies and meditation therapy etc. The emphasis is on reducing all symptoms and motivating them to reduce everyday.
What to Eat During Schizophrenia?
Some nutritional deficiencies can decrease the rate of cure for schizophrenia. [Trusted Source 10]
In such a situation, all those foods can be consumed, which can meet the deficiency of these nutrients.
- Chicken, eggs, fish, starchy vegetables such as peas, potatoes, green bananas, corn can be consumed for vitamin B6. [Trusted Source 10] [Trusted Source 11]
- Meat, dairy products and cereals can be consumed for vitamin B12. [Trusted Source 10]
- Eggs, dairy products and green vegetables can be consumed for vitamin A. [Trusted Source 10]
- Citrus fruits, red and yellow bell peppers, lemon, tomatoes and broccoli can be consumed for vitamin C. [Trusted Source 12]
- Vegetable oils such as sunflower, soybean, corn oil, peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, spinach and broccoli can be consumed for vitamin E. [Trusted Source 13]
- Fish, egg yolk and milk can be consumed for vitamin D. [Trusted Source 10]
- Along with carrots you can also eat other foods rich in folate (folic acid), such as chicken, eggs, mushrooms, whole grains and beans, etc. [Trusted Source 14]
What to Avoid During Schizophrenia?
A person suffering from schizophrenia is advised to refrain from the following -
- First of all it is necessary to avoid consuming all the substances that can increase the symptoms of schizophrenia, such as alcohol and other drugs. [Trusted Source 7]
- Stress can also be a cause of schizophrenia as we have previously described. In this case, avoiding anxiety can act as a hedge for schizophrenia. [Trusted Source 7]
- People suffering from schizophrenia should also avoid smoking. [Trusted Source 15]
- Schizophrenia patients have problems sleeping, but they need to get enough sleep. In such a situation, avoid consuming all the substances that can cause sleep disturbances, such as drinking tea or coffee at night etc. [Trusted Source 16]
Additional Prevention Tips
The following tips can help prevent schizophrenia -
- Do not consume alcohol, smoking and other drugs.
- Consult the doctor as soon as the initial symptoms of schizophrenia are felt.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Do yoga and exercise, so that your mind remains calm and you stay away from anxiety.
- Like an ordinary doctor, visit a psychologist regularly and get a checkup done.
- Do not ignore your mental health, even if it is mental fatigue and stress.
Final Words
Schizophrenia can be dangerous. Symptoms of schizophrenia such as seeing or hearing things that are not there, are usually not easily believed by people. Many times it is also associated with the revenant and the person suffering from schizophrenia loses their confidence. He often feels that no one trusts him. In such a situation, it is important to keep in mind the family and friends of the victim that they trust him and help him to get the treatment for schizophrenia.
