Schizophrenia is a lifelong psychiatric disorder that can cause disturbing problems like hallucinations. If you or someone close has schizophrenia symptoms, contact Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services in Los Lunas, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The practice’s dedicated mental health team provides expert diagnosis and treatment to people worried about schizophrenia symptoms, including advanced treatments like transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Call Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services today to discuss your concerns or book a schizophrenia evaluation online.
Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric condition that typically starts causing problems in early adulthood. It’s a lifelong, complex medical illness that disrupts your grasp of reality and affects your ability to manage emotions, make decisions, think clearly, or relate to others. Your risk of developing schizophrenia is significantly higher if other close family members have the disorder.
People with schizophrenia sometimes have anosognosia, a lack of insight into their condition. This means they may not understand or believe they’re ill, making treatment considerably more challenging.
Between 1.5 and 2 million people in the United States live with schizophrenia. Women typically develop the condition later, sometimes not until they’re over 30. It’s very uncommon for children or anyone over 40 to start showing signs of schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia symptoms might include:
Delusions and hallucinations are common in people with schizophrenia. Delusions are mistaken beliefs, such as being convinced you’re under surveillance or that people are pretending to help when really they want to harm you. Even when you see evidence that challenges your delusions, you find it impossible to stop believing in them.
Hallucinations may be visual or aural, so you might hear voices talking to you or see people who aren’t there. Hallucinations seem so real when you have schizophrenia that you might find it impossible to believe only you experience them. Or you may think that you are specially singled out if no one else is aware of the people you see and hear.
Schizophrenia is incurable, but with the proper treatment, you can manage your symptoms more effectively and significantly improve your quality of life. The Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services team offers comprehensive care to patients with schizophrenia.
You’re likely to benefit from antipsychotic medication, which helps to stop delusions and hallucinations. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can also be invaluable for people with schizophrenia, helping them understand their condition better and manage their symptoms more successfully.
Call Guadalupe Psychiatric and Mental Health Services today or book an appointment online for expert schizophrenia care provided by experienced, compassionate mental health professionals.