Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain, the cause of which is not known. The exact problem in the brain is only partially understood. In this condition a physical ailment creates a serious mental problem. The treatment is aimed at reducing the symptoms and managing the disease.
A person suffering from schizophrenia thinks that he is a special person, a cut above the rest, and so everyone is trying to do him in. He or she suffers from hallucinations and delusions. His thought process is disorderly and becomes far removed from reality.
Anti-psychotic drugs have been used for quite some time and are the first line of treatment for schizophrenia. The early drugs, like clozapine, were as effective as the newer ones. But their side effects were more severe than the newer drugs like risperidone and olanzapine. There are many more drugs under development. These drugs are very effective in preventing hallucinations and delusions. When the symptoms disappear it is important that the drug is tapered down slowly, to prevent relapse. Later in the treatment of schizophrenia, anti-depressive, anti-anxiety and anti-convulsive medications may be necessary to treat other symptoms, like bipolar mania and the side effects of the primary treatment.
Electro Convulsive Therapy (ECT) is a treatment given by highly trained health professionals. It is given under general anesthesia and muscle relaxants. It does not cause pain or cause the body to convulse. The shock given in the brain causes a seizure in the brain. Though the exact mode of the cure is not known, it is believed that the electrochemical changes that the shock creates help the patient.
Medication for schizophrenia is normally supported by psychotherapy. Proper psychiatric care, family support and group therapy are some of the treatment options that are very effective. Researchers are still working to find the root cause of Schizophrenia. Possible causes include bad genes, as the disease tends to run in families. The National Institute of Mental Health is sponsoring drugs that may able to cure schizophrenia, not just control symptoms.
Related Articles of Interest :
-
Types of Schizophrenia
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain but it causes many mental problems. The root cause of this disease is not known but bad genes seem to be a hot favorite. It affects both the sexes. Though there are some cases of children being affected,...
-
Schizophrenia
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
There are many mental disorders whose root cause is the psyche of the person, particularly traumas from early childhood. But schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder caused by a disabling brain illness. About one percent of Americans are afflicted with this problem at any given...
-
Symptoms of Schizophrenia
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Schizophrenia’s root cause is still not clear. It does have a link with some part of the brain. It is not a psychiatric disorder but a physical one, affecting the mind and the personality of the person affected. The treatment is mostly to alleviate the...
-
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or the Chronic Fatigue Dysfunction Syndrome is characterized by some symptoms that are often confused to be the result of high blood pressure or influenza. The person often feels fatigued for long periods of time, with muscle cramps, severe headache, nausea and...
-
Anxiety Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Two typical lines of treatment are followed to cure anxiety disorders, namely medication and psychotherapy. It is left to the choice of the individual and the doctor as to the course of treatment to be followed. At times, a combination of both methods is used...
-
Ring Worm Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Ringworm is an infectious skin disease spread by fungi called Dermatophytes. It spreads itself by forming ring-like pattern on skin with a circular rash that is inflamed at the edges and clean at the center. Though, ringworm is a curable disease it should never be...
-
Rheumatoid Arthritis Medication
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that has no cure. This inflammatory disease leads to swollen, stiff, and painful joints. It will also reduce movements affecting the person mentally and physically. As such, the only way to cope with the situation is by educating people with...
-
Drug Abuse Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
As treatment of drug abuse should suit the specific needs of the individual concerned, there is no one treatment that can be used in all cases. The choice of treatment also depends on which drug is being abused. Psychological therapies, such as behavior therapy, and...
-
Epilepsy Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
An epileptic has the tendency to suffer from recurring seizures. Treatment methods for the disorder have improved over the years thanks to research. Essentially, anti-epileptic medication and surgery are the most viable and widely deployed treatment methods. However, neither of these methods is curative. Medication...
-
Eczema Treatments
10 August 2010 8:30 PM |
No Comments
Eczema treatment is typically dictated by the severity of the condition and the detection of an underlying trigger. In mild to moderate cases, attention to skin care may help alleviate much of the itching and dryness. Bathing in lukewarm water instead of hot water and...