Our Services / Schizophrenia

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a life-altering psychiatric disorder that requires lifelong treatment. People with schizophrenia have symptoms such as:

Delusions

Delusions are things you believe to be true, but in reality, they aren’t. Your delusion could make you believe that you're being watched or pursued or that some kind of disaster is about to occur. Most people who have schizophrenia experience delusions.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are experiences where you think you can hear or see something that isn't really there. You might have a conversation with someone that only you can see, or you might hear voices. Hallucinations feel so real that people with schizophrenia have great difficulty accepting that they're not.

Disorganized thinking

Disorganized thinking results in poor communication. You may respond in a way that bears no relation to the questions someone asks you, or in some cases, talk completely incoherently.

Abnormal behavior

Abnormal behaviors might include refusing to follow instructions, adopting strange postures, failing to respond to your surroundings or random movements.

Many people with schizophrenia struggle to function normally. You might neglect your personal hygiene, become socially isolated, and find that nothing gives you pleasure. People with schizophrenia often consider suicide.

These symptoms may come and go, and some are worse than others — everyone's experience is unique. Schizophrenia symptoms usually begin in the early to mid-20s in men and the late 20s in women. It's unlikely that you'll develop schizophrenia as a child or an adult over 45.

What causes schizophrenia?

Studies of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) in people with schizophrenia show differences that indicate this is a brain disease rather than a psychological issue.

Schizophrenia is likely to be related to your genetics, as it's common for people with the disease to have family members with the condition. The chemicals in your brain and your environment could also play a part in the development of schizophrenia.

How is schizophrenia treated?

Schizophrenia requires expert treatment, which the team at CyFair Psychiatry can provide. You might see other professionals, too, such as a social worker or psychiatric nurse, and a case manager who coordinates your care.

Medications are vital in managing schizophrenia successfully. Antipsychotic drugs help to control your symptoms by affecting dopamine, a neurotransmitter in your brain. Your provider may use other medications as well, like antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.

Severely affected people might require electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which the team specializes in performing.  

If you’re experiencing the first signs of schizophrenia or your current treatments aren’t working for you, call CyFair Psychiatry today or book an appointment online.