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.

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Best Hair Loss Treatment: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting One

Losing hair is such a terrible thing to happen to anyone. Hair is an important part of your body, and losing it can hurt your self-esteem. It is, after all, your crowning glory. Your hair contributes to your overall look. You often use your hair to express your individuality through style, color, and length. Best Hair Loss Treatment: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting One What can you do when your hair starts thinning? A hair loss treatment might be the answer. However, before getting one, ask yourself these questions first: 1. Do you really need the treatment? Like plastic surgery, hair loss treatment is an elective procedure. It’s not like a medical emergency that is urgent. You get a hair loss treatment because you wanted to and not because your life is at risk if you don’t push through with it. Thinning hair is something a lot of people will experience when they grow older. It happens due to a lot of reasons, such as medications, illnesses, styling habits, and genetics. The most common cause is androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness). It’s a condition where the hair follicles on your scalp can no longer produce hair. If your hair is starting to thin and you’re bothered by it, seek professional consultation. Most healthcare service clinics such as Vera Clinic offer free consultations so you know your options. 2. Why do you want to get a hair loss treatment? Well, obviously, because you want to have a head full of hair again. But, what’s the real reason why you absolutely need to have a hair loss treatment? Is hair loss disrupting your normal day-to-day activities? Is the thinning of your hair causing you to lose confidence in yourself? Will the loss of your hair cause your whole world to change or is it all in your imagination? Will a hair loss treatment help you function normally again? Take a deep breath and try to think things through. Sometimes, negative feelings could just be clouding you, or maybe you miss styling your hair. If you think that you have a good reason to undergo the treatment, then by all means proceed with it. 3. Can you afford it? Hair loss treatments can be affordable or expensive. It will depend on the kind of treatment you get and where you will get it. There are temporary treatments and permanent ones. There are over-the-counter drugs that are used for topical applications to slow down the thinning of hair or promote hair growth. Permanent treatments such as hair transplants are expensive; these are surgical procedures done in cosmetics clinics. Health insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures, including hair loss treatments. So, if you’re seeking to treat your problem, your funds have to come from your bank account. Consider your other expenses, too. Remember that your emergency funds are not for hair loss treatments. 4. Are you physically and mentally ready to receive a hair loss treatment? Consider your health whether you plan to use over-the-counter drugs, topical solutions, or transplants. Research the ingredients of the medicines, creams, or ointments. See if you are allergic to any of them. Additionally, you may not be eligible for a hair transplant if you have certain health conditions. You cannot undergo surgery if you have: Diabetes Hypertension Heart problems Skin or scalp disorders Psychological conditions Mental readiness is also crucial when getting a hair transplant. It doesn’t matter if your body is able; if your mind is not ready, you feel scared, or you’re unprepared for the outcome, don’t do it. Hair transplants can cause scars on your scalp, so you need to be able to live with it. Also, not everyone can have a hair transplant. Only those with thinning hair are eligible for the procedure. If you’re already completely bald, then maybe you can opt for topical solutions or drugs to regrow your hair. 5. Do you have the time for recovery? Hair transplants, like any other cosmetic surgeries, require some recovery time. It’s important to have the time for rest to lessen the risk of complications after getting the surgery. Your recovery period can affect your other daily activities, such as work and family time. It’s also another reason to consider whether you have the money for a significant procedure. Since you will require time off of work, then it means you won’t have a salary unless you have a passive source of income. If your hair starts thinning and you’re worried about being completely bald, there are many hair loss treatment options for you. Take the above things into consideration before getting one. Hair loss treatment should not be a decision to make out of the blue, you should always take time and consider all of your options stated Sydney PRP hair treatment clinic. Read Also: Proven Ways To Grow Hair Faster And Stronger 6 Proven Ways To Deal With Hair Loss For Women

How To Sleep Better If You Suffer From Digestive Problems

Sleep is important to your general health. Without it, numerous aspects of your physical and mental well-being can suffer sharp declines. Moreover, sleep must be approached with precision, with acute amounts needed for a healthy night’s rest. Of course, everyone suffers the odd disruption in their life, but these fleeting instances must never become a prolonged pattern. When you have digestive problems, the threat of constant disturbances to your sleep becomes more prominent. A careful balancing act is required to mitigate the issue and eventually resolve it entirely if possible. How should you proceed in these circumstances? After the jump, you will find some tips that, if followed, should help you sleep better if you suffer from digestive problems. 5 Ways to Go Through to Sleep Better If You Suffer From Severe Digestive Problems 1. Research Gut Problems and Solutions Know that what goes on in your gut can affect what goes on in your mind. If the latter is overactive, sleep will be harder to secure. Dr. Michael Ruscio suggests that cognitive health and a healthy gut are linked. He has a personalized approach to practical, science-based advice on bettering this situation. There are also expert insights around the role of probiotics and how they can help your body find harmony too. Read the positive testimonials about how his wisdom has helped others with their bodies. Take your strategies seriously and start by being informed by experts in well-being matters. Engage with different resources and pool responses. What has worked for others? Which methods have been scientifically tried and tested? The specialist recommendations are often effective, but they can also give you enormous comfort and confidence in improving your sleep, digestion, and, ultimately, your overall health. 2. Schedule Your Eating Not every digestive problem causing disrupted sleep is elaborate and scientific. All meals should be consumed 3 hours before bedtime. Refrain from snacking too late as well. Sleep is supposed to be your body’s time for rest. By eating so close to that period, you make your digestive system do overtime in terms of work. Things like heartburn, bowel movements, acid reflux and indigestion can occur. That extra snack or late meal might seem more enjoyable and convenient for you, but you are ultimately doing yourself a disservice. Of course, not all problems in your gut are of your own making. Moreover, eating at scheduled times is common knowledge. Still, digestive problems within a sleep schedule can be disorientating once experienced. Frustration can override reason. Therefore, it’s worth remembering some of the more basic reasons behind any digestive discomfort you could be experiencing when you should be sleeping. Sometimes, the answers and solutions are the simplest ones. 3. Optimize Your Sleep Position You are not without hope if you have eaten at an inadvisable time. While there is no overwhelming medical evidence for sleeping on one side vs another regarding digestion, some positions may help more than others. The stomach is located on the left side of your body. Consequently, if you were to sleep on your left side, the rules of gravity might be able to help the food in your system pass through you more efficiently. Sleeping on the left side can also counter the effects of heartburn. Take these measures with a pinch of salt, and do not assume you have the makings of a sure-fire plan. You can likely expect varying results, but there is enough anecdotal evidence online to make this sleeping position at least worth trying. If you sleep on your front, you risk compressing your organs and unnecessarily restricting the digestion process. Avoid doing so if possible. 4. Consume the Right Things While you should not eat so close to bedtime, you can still consume things in preparation within the permitted timeframes. It is worth reviewing what these consumables can be. If you want a meal that will help you relax, make sure it contains salmon, onions, or cucumbers. For snacks, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and almonds can also nudge you a little nearer to a better night’s sleep. Do more research on what foods can help you unwind and find peace when it is time to bed down. The main broadsheets publish new suggestions all the time. Drinking a glass of water with your meal can help digestion. If you drink water just before bed, you may hydrate yourself, but you also increase the chances of needing the bathroom at night. Make sure your drinking serves your digestion and sleep schedule, rather than using it to replace one problem with another. 5. Prepare for Disruptions (Where Necessary) Some chronic digestion issues can be so severe that nighttime disruptions are inevitable. Rather than resigning yourself to the situation, these instances should be mitigated as much as possible. Try not to panic in these situations. Doing so will lead to greater feelings of stress and destabilize your sleep pattern even more. Engage with all the things that put you at ease, whether those things be supplements or room adjustments that create a more soothing ambiance for sleeping in. Settle down after a disturbance as soon as possible, and be committed to doing so. Read Also: Surprisingly Unknown Effects of Sleep Loss The Relationship between Temperature & Sleep How to sleep better when you have cancer Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Your Skin & Good Sleeping Habits

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An Overview of Schizophrenia

Prevalence of schizophrenia

Risk factors