5 Facts About Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects about 24 million people worldwide. In fact, the National Institutes of Mental Health lists schizophrenia as one of the leading causes of disability globally.

With locations in Glendale and Phoenix, Arizona, The Marcann Group offers the most current therapies for schizophrenia treatment in patients at our Glendale and Phoenix, Arizona, locations. In this post, our team offers five positive things about schizophrenia to help you feel more positive about your illness and its treatment.

1. Schizophrenia can be successfully treated

There was a time when schizophrenia meant lifelong hospitalization without any hope for a meaningful or independent life. Fortunately, those days have passed, and today, we have safe and effective medications designed specifically to treat both the underlying disorder and its symptoms, like:

• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Abnormal behaviors
• Difficulty with speech and expression

Like other mental illnesses, schizophrenia requires ongoing and lifelong care to manage your symptoms and improve your overall wellness and well-being.

Also, contrary to a popular misconception, schizophrenia does not mean you have multiple personalities. Rather, the illness causes a separation or “split” between the real world and your perception of it. 

2. Early treatment is important

As with any chronic illness, schizophrenia responds best to early treatment to help reduce symptoms and prevent behaviors from becoming “ingrained.” It can also reduce your risk of complications, like risky behaviors, that could have a significant impact on your life. 

Ideally, you should seek treatment as soon after diagnosis as possible, but it’s also essential to note that it’s never too late to seek treatment. Therapies can still have significant benefits, even when initiated months or years after diagnosis.

3. Treatment helps your overall wellness

In addition to medication, our team offers psychotherapy — “talk” therapy — to help you identify negative emotions and responses associated with your illness. Then, we work with you to replace those negative thoughts with positive responses that help you feel better about yourself.

Over time, therapy can help you learn how to counteract negative feelings that can lead to risky or unhealthy behaviors. By managing your treatment proactively, you can experience improvements in your physical health, too.

4. Advances in treatment mean you have more options

History has not always been kind to people with schizophrenia (or other mental health challenges). A misunderstanding of the causes and effects of the illness influenced research and treatment options for decades.

Today, though, that’s changed. Significant strides in research have resulted in a more robust understanding of schizophrenia, and that’s led to vast improvements in treatments. Our practice offers patient-centered treatment featuring therapies that are most effective for your unique needs and lifestyle, so you can enjoy optimal results of your treatment.

5. We can help your loved ones too

You may be the one diagnosed with schizophrenia, but your loved ones are struggling, too. Like any other illness, it’s difficult for others to really appreciate what you’re going through, and that can make it hard for them to know how to support you.

Our team is skilled in providing help to people who have a loved one with schizophrenia. Not only can we provide them with a deeper understanding of the illness, but we can also help them learn healthy ways to provide support. Therapy sessions and support groups provide loved ones with the tools they need to tap into their inner compassion and strength, so they — and you — can enjoy happier relationships.

Learn more about schizophrenia therapies that work

Schizophrenia requires a lifelong commitment to treatment, but with ongoing care and management, you can enjoy a happier and healthier life. 

To learn more about the therapies we offer for our patients with schizophrenia, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at The Marcann Group today.