What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a major psychiatric disorder in which patients have difficulties understanding what’s reality and what’s fantasy.

For example, you might experience delusions, believing that a government agency or secret organization is hunting you. Hallucinations also affect people with schizophrenia, so you might believe there are people around you and talk to them as though they’re real — which to you, they are.

These delusions and hallucinations cause disordered thoughts and behaviors that make it extremely difficult to function in everyday life. People with schizophrenia struggle to study or work and may be unable to take care of themselves properly. The extreme mental anguish schizophrenia causes often gives rise to thoughts of suicide.

However, with the right treatment from Pure Psychiatry of Michigan, you can overcome these problems and take control of your thoughts.

How is schizophrenia diagnosed?

To diagnose schizophrenia, your provider at Pure Psychiatry of Michigan carries out an evaluation. They need to check for problems like substance abuse or medication side effects that can cause similar symptoms, so they might take some blood for testing.

They also do a psychiatric assessment, spending time talking to you about your feelings and thoughts. You might need to complete a psychiatric questionnaire as well.

How is schizophrenia treated?

Schizophrenia treatment is lifelong because there’s currently no cure for this condition. Medications are typically a vital part of schizophrenia treatment. Antipsychotic drugs act to eliminate your delusions and hallucinations and help you to stay calm.

It may take some time to find the medication or combination of medicines that work best and the most effective dose. Schizophrenia drugs can sometimes cause severe side effects too, which means some patients are reluctant to take their medications.

Pure Psychiatry of Michigan can help by prescribing the medicines that are most likely to achieve good results without causing serious side effects. Their talk therapies are also highly beneficial to patients with schizophrenia.

In addition, your provider can give you information about other support services for people with schizophrenia, such as:

• Stress management

• Social skills training

• Family therapy

• Daily living support

• Vocational rehabilitation

• Supported employment

• Crisis management

With expert care, medication, and support, you can live a long, fulfilling life with schizophrenia. Call Pure Psychiatry of Michigan to schedule a consultation or book an appointment online today.