Despite its relatively low prevalence, schizophrenia ranks among the most impairing and debilitating psychological conditions in people. It is a severe long-term mental illness characterized by relapsing episodes of delusions, hallucinations, and the progressive loss of contact with reality. Although this psychological disorder severely impairs the patient’s quality of life, its management poses a major challenge due to the association with multiple co-occurring illnesses, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Schizophrenia presents various symptoms, including disorganized and confused speech, and concentration problems. However, psychosis would be the most difficult clinical manifestation due to its adverse effect on the ability to discern what is real from the imagined (Trudeau et al., 2018). This is a severe disruption and impairment of thoughts and perceptions, which significantly erodes the patient’s independence and ability to function effectively. This symptom would affect how a person processes information and the progressive loss of touch with reality would be the most challenging symptom.
The support extended by the family and society can make a huge difference in the treatment and recovery processes. If one had the disorder, the first thing to do for the loved ones and the community would be not to stigmatize the ill person and the disorder itself. This would be critical and would enable them to give support in finding the right treatment, coping with the symptoms, monitoring the medication, and building supportive networks for sharing experiences and reducing feelings of isolation.
Antipsychotic medications are the most effective for the treatment of schizophrenia. This intervention would help manage the signs and symptoms of the disorder and regulate brain functioning to control perception, mood, emotions, and thinking. However, psychosocial and psychological support needs to be considered as well, such as individual therapy to enhance the restoration of normalcy in the thought patterns, the identification of early warning signs of relapse, and coping with stress.
Reference
Trudeau, K., Burtner, J., Villapiano, A., Jones, M., Butler, S. & Joshi, K. (2018). The burden of schizophrenia or psychosis-related symptoms in adults undergoing substance abuse evaluation. Journal of Nervous & Mental Disease, 206(7), 528–536.