An Overview of Schizophrenia

Published on: 14 March 2016 Last Updated on: 12 July 2021

Schizophrenia remains one of the most misunderstood mental health disorders in the U.S. Many people assume that schizophrenia refers to a complete inability to accept life. However, schizophrenia actually describes a severe, chronic brain disorder characterized by abnormal thought processes and rationale. Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia are similar to other mental health conditions, which makes accurate diagnoses difficult for mental rehabilitation experts.

Prevalence of schizophrenia

Schizophrenia affects between 0.5 percent and 1 percent of individuals around the globe. The first episode tends to occur at age 21 for men and age 27 for women, explains the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). About 33 percent of those with schizophrenia attempt suicide and 10 percent will succeed. In a Canadian study, schizophrenia diagnoses resulted in a total cost of $6.85 billion for the U.S. and Canada.

Risk factors

Across mental health facilities, mental health professionals have yet to determine an exact cause of schizophrenia. However, a family history of schizophrenia, exposure to toxins while in utero, increased immune system response, older age of a person’s father, and exposure to psychotropic substances during adolescence have been thought to be the primary risk factors for developing schizophrenia (Mayo Clinic).

Signs and symptoms

The signs and symptoms vary from person to person. According to the Mayo Clinic, most signs and symptoms reveal abnormal brain functioning and include the following:

1. Hallucinations :

Hallucinations may involve any of the five senses; however, hearing voices is the most common hallucination

2. Delusions:

Delusions are similar to hallucinations. Delusions occur when a person has a false belief about a given event or situation. For example, a person may believe he or she has a role in global politics when it is not true

3. Thought disorders:

Thought disorders are unusual, counter-productive ways of thinking

4. Movement disorders:

Movement disorders are characterized by repetitive, involuntary movements, which are most commonly noticed in the face. Alternatively, someone with schizophrenia may become catatonic, which means he or she does not move at all

5. Disruptive emotions and behaviors:

Emotional states in schizophrenic individuals may mirror the ups and downs of other mental health disorders, such as bipolar disorder.

6. Poor cognitive functioning:

Someone with schizophrenia may be incapable of understanding information and making decisions on the basis of the information. Furthermore, working memory and difficulty concentrating are common aspects of poor cognitive functioning

Treatment Options

Depending on the severity of the episode, treatment for schizophrenia may occur in inpatient mental health facilities. However, outpatient treatment is a vital aspect of treatment after discharge.

1. Antipsychotic medications:

Antipsychotic and atypical antipsychotic medications focus on eradicating the symptoms of schizophrenia. Some of these medications may cause serious side effects

2. Psychosocial treatment:

Psychosocial treatment involves teaching a person to readapt to life through physical, speech, and occupational therapy

3. Integrated Treatment :

If a person with schizophrenia has a co-occurring mental health disorder, the treatment must include address all other disorders

Although schizophrenia can present some of the most difficult symptoms in mental health therapies, the disorder can be effectively managed. However, understanding the symptoms and treatment options of schizophrenia plays a significant role in preventing the disorder from developing further.

Abdul Aziz Mondol

Abdul Aziz Mondol is a professional blogger who is having a colossal interest in writing blogs and other jones of calligraphies. In terms of his professional commitments, he loves to share content related to business, finance, technology, and the gaming niche.

View all posts

6 Steps for Choosing the Best Workout Gear

It’s difficult to choose the right workout gear. There are so many factors to consider, and the list of available gear is endless! Here are six steps you can take to make sure you’re choosing the right workout gear no matter what you’re going after. Here are the 6 Steps for Choosing the Best Workout Gear: 1. Choose the right materials When it comes to workout gear, choosing the correct materials is one of the most important steps. The materials that your workout gear is made of can determine how comfortable you are when you work out, how sweaty you get, and more. Firstly, avoid cotton workout clothes. Cotton doesn’t ‘wick away’ sweat like some other materials, and instead becomes wet quickly and doesn’t dry. This can lead to skin irritations and general discomfort, among other issues. Instead, choose materials like polyester, spandex, or polypropylene. These materials ‘wick’ sweat away instead of leaving it on you. 2. Consider the weather Consider the time of year and the climate while you’re exercising. Choose warmer clothing if you’re going to be exercising outside during the fall or winter. Adding a well-fitting hoodie to your workout gear during these colder months is a great way to stay warm while you’re sweating it out. Of course, during the summer you should try to avoid wearing heavier clothing or clothing that won’t wick sweat away easily. Exercising outside doesn’t need to be uncomfortable. 3. Choose the well-fitting gear The fit of your workout gear is more important than you might think, whether you’re exercising on a machine or not. Choosing exercise clothes that fit you well and sit close to your body is important. You won’t get caught in machines, and materials that wick away sweat will have an easier time getting it away from your body. That doesn’t mean you need to wear tight clothing. You should always choose clothing that is comfortable and somewhat loose. Yoga pants, workout shorts with liner, leggings, and other fitted clothes are great as well! Just make sure that you don’t wear clothing with loose legs or arms while working with exercise equipment, as it’s easy for the fabric to get stuck and you might get injured. 4. Be stylish Even when you’re working out, your gear is an expression of your personality. Make sure that you choose the gear that you like. Choose something stylish and fun! Whether you’re looking at patterned workout pants or a hoodie with a unique style for those cold-weather workouts. Represent your favorite sports team or your favorite charity with logos, stickers, and branded workout gear (as long as it fits your other requirements!). Style doesn’t stop when you enter the gym! 5. Supportive shoes are key Shoes are an important piece of your workout gear, so you have to get them right! You should choose shoes that are supportive all the way around, whether that means supporting your foot’s arches or keeping your ankles straight and secure. Choose shoes that are breathable and comfortable on your feet. Adequate cushioning throughout the shoe is recommended, as it can help absorb the shock from certain high-motion workouts. Again, choose shoes that fit your style but asl o offer the most support, cushion, and comfort. 6. Accessorize! There’s more to workout gear than just clothing and shoes. From your gym bag to your water bottle and more, there are a million ways to express yourself with your workout gear. If you like to listen to music while you work out, make sure to choose sweat-resistant or waterproof headphones that won’t fall out of your ears with lots of motion. Your water bottle can be just about anything you want it to be, but don’t discount this step while choosing your workout gear. It’s important to stay hydrated, and a reusable water bottle is a great way to do that. When it comes to choosing any accessories, consider that you’ll be moving, sweating, and more while using them. Represent your personality and have fun with your style! Conclusion Workout gear is difficult to shop for because there are so many options. From your accessories to your clothes, shoes, and more, it’s important to do research and investigate how you’ll use the gear, what it’s made of, and more. Don’t forget to have fun with your looks and style! Read Also: The Essentials of Nutrition and Training and The Most Suitable Sports Swimwear Boxing Workouts That Go Beyond Fitness What Are Virtual Reality Workouts And How Will They Affect Exercise? 5 Rowing Machine Workout Tips Every Fitness Person should know

Is Surgical Treatment the Best Option to Treat Essential Tremor?

Going through life with a problematic condition such as essential tremor can be vastly different depending on the individual. For example, essential tremor is more commonly seen in individuals forty and older, but there are situations of those who suffer from the condition at a young age. That said, the symptoms of essential tremor tend to get more severe with age, which means that the method of treating a young individual might be different from the treatment of an elderly sufferer. There is also an issue in the fact that essential tremor often is not taken as seriously as conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. It can often result in those who suffer from the condition to feel embarrassed, opting to hide and ignore it instead of seeking treatment. Is Surgical Treatment the Best Option to Treat Essential Tremor? When the symptoms get worse It can be extremely disheartening when the symptoms start to get worse, as it can be as debilitating as any other severe tremor. It can make basic tasks challenging, and it can prevent people from performing their work or their hobbies. It might be so severe that certain individuals can no longer dress or eat by themselves. It is no wonder why some people would prefer searching for treatment - especially if the prescribed medications do not deal with their symptoms. How relaxation may help It is common knowledge that anxiety and agitation can make the symptoms of essential tremor much worse. Unfortunately, it results in a cycle where the individual is stressed about by their tremors, which results in the symptoms getting worse. That said, understanding that anxiety is a common means that you can work toward keeping yourself calm and relaxed to help your symptoms. Treatment options For those who are having trouble with medications prescribed for essential tremor, surgical treatment might be an option for relieving tremor. There are new treatment options such as focused ultrasound, for those who have not responded well to medication. Consulting with a physician is important for understanding the options for treating essential tremor. The final verdict: While it might be somewhat vague, the final verdict will depend on the individual. Each individual, together with their physician, should evaluate the treatment for their individual situation. For those who have tried medications and relaxation but have found little relief, perhaps surgery could be considered. Read Also: Use These Tips To Save Money When You Move Your Business To The Cloud Best Hair Loss Treatment: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting One

Temporary Health Insurance and Who It Suits

Temporary health insurance or short-term insurance, as the name implies, can provide temporary medical coverage. It is an expensive option that can protect against unforeseen accidents or sickness when you are in between health insurance plans or outside the enrollment periods. Temporary health insurance plans are available all year round and provide next-day coverage. Keep scrolling to learn about temporary health insurance: everything you need to know. What Is Temporary Health Insurance? Temporary health insurance caters to preventive care, emergency care, doctor visits, and urgent medical care. Some plans may also cover prescription drugs. The medical coverage of a temporary health insurance plan is limited. For example, it doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions. But, temporary health insurance is solving more issues that are related to emergency conditions. Like you have to hire an ambulance or need immediate emergency treatments. What Does Short-Term Health Insurance Cover? This plan isn’t comprehensive and doesn’t cater to the Affordable Care Act’s ten essential benefits, including prescription drugs, pediatric services, Lab services, hospitalization, mental health, and addiction services. Moreover, short-term health insurance doesn’t cater to ACA essential benefits such as maternity care. Nonetheless, some temporary health insurance plans may cover some of the above services. Also, like in a comprehensive plan, you can pay copayment, coinsurance, or deductible to get the benefits. Before buying the plan, carefully check the plan’s benefits and limitations. Then, you will be able to know what is covered and what isn’t. Temporary medical plans usually have to be approved by medical underwriters. Henceforth, be ready for a series of your medical history questions. Who Is Best Suited For Temporary Medical Insurance? How to get temporary health insurance? For selecting the best temporary medical insurance, you have to match up some of the qualities. Then your medical insurance selections will become much more accurate and secure. Here are some of the facts you have to check before selecting the best temporary health insurance. People are transitioning to jobs. If you are changing your employer, you certainly need medical coverage before your next boss’s health benefits kick in. Students or dependents. If you hit 26 years of age, you are no longer covered by your parent’s or guardian’s insurance plan. Thus, a short-term health insurance plan will be ideal as you transition to a comprehensive plan. Older people are waiting for Medicare enrollment. After retiring, you may depend on short-term health insurance before Medicare kicks in. New individuals in the USA can rely on temporary health insurance before their new employer coverage starts. Temporary health insurance can also be ideal for people in these circumstances. What’s The Cost of Short-Term Health Insurance? The premiums vary depending on various factors such as age, location, and gender. Deductible, coinsurance, copay, out-of-pocket costs, and total policy coverage amounts affect the premium cost. Check out the cost comparison pivohealth.com. Temporary health insurance: Everything you need to know, plan carefully and know how much it will cost you. How much is temporary health insurance? Temporary health insurance has different plans and pricing structures. You have to compare the prices and the services for selecting the best short-term health insurance. What To Consider Before Buying A Temporary Health Insurance Plan Want to buy temporary health insurance? Then you have to match up some of your requirements. Read through the essential facts which you must consider before buying a temporary health insurance plan. Here are three things that you need to consider for buying an insurance plan. Coverage period. Find a plan that fits your needs. If you are out of comprehensive cover for a long, consider wider coverage. Exclusions in your plan. Approval and renewal. Ask if the plan has a non-refundable fee or if the approval is guaranteed. Though some plans can be renewed, it isn’t always the case. Advantages Of Short-term Health Insurance Plan The short-term temporary health insurance covers multiple types of plans, for example, post-hospitalizations and ambulance facilities. Some of the plans are also covering checkups and policies. Here are three types of advantages to getting short-term health insurance plans. It can cater to your medical care needs when you need it. It can be canceled whenever you feel like it with no penalties. You can choose an annual plan if you need it. Conclusion: Before selecting the temporary health insurance plan, always go through the plan’s all features and services. Then select the best one. Every company offers different types of plans, and every plan has various features. Always read through all the documents and then sign the papers. So what is your planning? Are you thinking of getting health insurance? Let us know through the comment sections. Read Also Small Business Guide to Private Health Insurance Exchanges How To Know If Your Health Insurance Covers Visits To The Chiropractor What Are The Most Important Insights Which the People Should Know About Coronavirus Health Insurance?

An Overview of Schizophrenia

Prevalence of schizophrenia

Risk factors