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Schizophrenia: Medical Treatment Options

The primary treatment for schizophrenia is antipsychotic medication. It can help individuals to manage their symptoms but it is not a cure. The older antipsychotic medications, called “first generation” were effective for positive symptoms and had serious side effects. Some side effects such as tardive dyskinesia can be irreversible. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome is a rare Read More...

Schizophrenia: Approach Considerations

Individuals with schizophrenia may sleep excessively or use alcohol or other substances to diminish the voices. Command hallucinations are the most serious and can be dangerous. The voices may command an individual to harm themselves or others. The person may feel that they must obey. It is helpful to ask someone who experiences auditory hallucinations Read More...

Schizophrenia: Symptoms and Diagnosis

There is currently no diagnostic test for schizophrenia. The age of onset is usually between the late teens and early thirties. Diagnosis is based on an individual’s history and presenting symptoms. Positive, negative and cognitive symptoms are identified. Positive symptoms are delusions and hallucinations. Sometimes people confuse these two symptoms. A delusion is a belief Read More...

Schizophrenia Case Scenario

The police were called to a busy intersection of the city because a man was standing in traffic, shouting and stopping cars. He was a white male, in his early twenties with an unkempt appearance. When the police questioned him he stated that he was an undercover FBI agent. He said that his job was Read More...