how bad does schizophrenia get?

Question

Are some types of schizophrenia not all that bad?

Answer 1

Horrible: Severe schizophrenia can destroy a person's life--and that of the family too. Some do not respond to any available treatments or have debilitating side effects from them. They can be constantly terrified, hounded by voices and hallucinations and plagued by horrific delusions of horrible things that are going to happen. It frequently is a chronic disorder, so improvements may be transitory.

Answer 2

Beyond psychosis: I agree completely with dr. Elliott that psychotic symptoms such as hallucination and delusions can be severe. Worst thing about schizophrenia is that even when hallucinations and delusions are resolved, lack of motivation and cognitive problems will remain debilitating. Rehabilitation is needed to address these problems even when psychotic symptoms have been controlled with medication.

Answer 3

Schizophrenia : Imagine the worst nightmare you've ever had, and not being able to turn it off. Imagine having little to no access to competent care. The terror of schizophrenia cannot be overstated for those who suffer from it unchecked. How bad can it get? It can result in repeated violence and suicide.

Answer 4

Clinical exam: Schizophrenia is diagnosed by a medical expert, like a psychiatrist, who interviews the individual to identify specific thinking patterns and symptoms. It is not diagnosed until symptoms have been present for many months, because symptoms of psychosis can improve on their own. The primary symptoms to look for are evidence of bizarre delusions or hallucinations.

Answer 5

By a psychiatrist : Schizophrenia is a dramatic illness with devastating consequences. A thorough psychiatric evaluation which involves family history, medical, past and present history as well as drug abuse history is taken in to consideration. Initial work up may include blood tests and a ct scan of the brain to rule out other causes of psychosis. It is hard for untrained eyes to tell mild psychotic episodes.

Answer 6

Medications mainly: Schizophrenia is treated by medications called anti-psychotics. They are prescribed by psychiatrists, who also engage patients in some "talk therapy".

Answer 7

Varies: Depends on many factors--severity & type age social supports etc--in general medicine individual group & family therapy vocational training social skills etc.

Answer 8

No: However it could unmask a latent schizophrenic process. "weed" at times causes euphoria and some feelings of paranoia. Hallucinations are not unusual either. Both are components of schizophrenia. In the 70's IV sedative hypnotics were used if one suspected schizophrenia but it wasn't clear. It would at times unmask schizophrenia symptoms of paranoia & hallucinations. Ethically it isn't done now.

Answer 9

Yes: There is growing evidence that people who start to use marijuana at a young age (under 16) and who use it regularly during those years are at greater risk of developing schizophrenia in their lifetime.

Answer 10

Cause earlier onset: Research results seem to show that marijuana can start a person's schizophrenia sooner than if he did not use mj. A younger person (with a brain, neurotransmitters, and receptors not fully developed), especially with a family history of schizophrenia or psychosis, should know his family history and avoid experimenting with mj or other illegal drugs that might have a similar effect on his brain.

Answer 11

Marijuana: Can cause psychotic symptoms that are indistinguishable from schizophrenia.

Answer 12

No good evidence: Scientific studies do not support its efficacy for schizophrenia.

Answer 13

Yes: The work by carl pfeiffer, md and abraham hoffer, md on pyrrole disorder, zinc deficiency, copper excess and disorders of methylation have in conjunction with pharmacotherapy been very useful in aiding persons with schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder, as well as autism and adhd. One needs to approach treatment from a functional or integrative perspective to realize the full benefits.

Answer 14

Read below: I have never heard of this happening in schizophrenia, but it is extremely common in dissociative disorders. It is very easy to confuse the two. If you have amnesia and a history of childhood trauma, i would seek out a psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in differentiating between the two. Some people have both, and it is the dissociative part that causes the headaches.

how bad does schizophrenia get?

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