What is schizophrenia?
You may think that you are suffering psychotic symptoms.
But how do you know if you are suffering from a psychotic disorder or paranoid schizophrenia?
For this, a proper clinical assessment of your symptoms in our psychosis clinic, a part of Chennai minds out patient services will reveal if you are suffering from schizophrenia.
CHENNAI MINDS- PSYCHOSIS CLINIC
What are the positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia?
Positive symptoms –
Positive symptoms of someone suffering from schizophrenia includes a break in reality i.e. lack of insight or understanding into their illness. They will also suffer psychotic symptoms including delusions (which as firmly held false beliefs which are not in keeping with the person’s cultural background). People with paranoid schizophrenia may also suffer symptoms of paranoid delusions where they may be suspicious of people or events and this will be excessive, fixed, unshakable and out of keeping with cultural beliefs. They also suffer hallucinations (particularly hearing voices). They can have thought interference and feel they may be controlled by external forces.
Negative symptoms-
When the symptoms include reduced speech, getting isolated and reduction of motivation, these are known as negative symptoms.
In the past, positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia were known as Type 1 and Type 2 schizophrenia.
1 in a 100 people suffer from schizophrenia.
What are the early warning symptoms?
Changes in sleep and mood, getting more isolated from people, not motivated to go to work and getting more confused or suspicious are all early warning signs which must not be taken lightly and requires assessment.
What are the related psychotic disorders?
What are the causes of schizophrenia?
Causes include genetic factors, stress, use of drugs, trauma, etc. Alteration of neurochemicals in the brain also contributes to development of schizophrenia. These neurochemicals in the brain are corrected with antipsychotic medications.
Does one required to take medications for schizophrenia?
One invariably has to take antipsychotic medications on a long-term basis in schizophrenia. This forms the basis of the first and foremost management and treatment plan.
What do we do in Chennai Minds?
In Chennai minds, we offer a comprehensive Clinical assessment of your psychotic symptoms in our psychosis clinic which operates as part of our outpatient services. This includes assessment clinically, by asking questions about your symptoms, using scales and questionnaires if required and ordering blood tests, ECG and scans if needed.
You can be successful in overcoming psychotic symptoms if you follow the instructions well and take the anti-psychotic medications prescribed.
Our comprehensive mental health and well-being package operates on a 4-pronged approach to treatment of mental illness by optimizing diet and fitness, helping psychological factors, stabilizing social factors and administering medications.
To book an appointment contact Chennai minds.
