Positive symptoms

Called positive symptoms as they are highly exaggerated ideas and perceptions experienced by a person diagnosed with schizophrenia and include:²

• Delusional behaviour
• Hallucinations
• Disorganised thinking and speech
• Extremely disorganised or abnormal motor behaviour that may present itself in numerous ways and may include behavioural abnormalities such as childlike silliness or unpredictable agitation.
• Resistance to instructions
• Inappropriate or bizarre posture
• Complete lack of response
• Useless or excessive movement patterns

Negative symptoms

Called negative symptoms because the person diagnosed lacks normal, mental functions such as:²

• Neglect of personal hygiene
• Lack of emotion
• Lack of expression
• Loss of interest in daily activities

Treating schizophrenia the right way

The symptoms of schizophrenia vary from person to person, which is why it’s so important to seek help from a healthcare professional. Some treatment options recommended by healthcare professionals may include:³

Daily medication³

Depending on the severity of symptoms, a healthcare professional will recommend daily, oral medication, which will be an effective symptom management solution. The disadvantages include,

• The person may be reluctant to take daily medication, which could result in their symptoms becoming more aggressive.
• They may quit the medication once their symptoms lessen, believing they no longer require treatment. This may cause symptoms to reappear with a higher frequency.

Monthly injectables

These are administered by a healthcare professional and are effective in managing symptoms of schizophrenia for longer periods. The advantages of injectables include:

• Healthcare professionals track the progress of treatment and symptom management.
• By managing symptoms for up to 30 days, it reduces the possibility of a person resisting treatment and relapsing to symptoms that may result in self-harm.

Talk therapy

Therapy sessions work hand-in-hand with medication, and gives the psychologist an opportunity to accurately assess symptoms. Should the symptoms become more aggressive, the supporting psychiatrist may recommend a higher dosage of medication. Other benefits include,⁴

• A psychologist addresses the symptoms with a person, educating them how to manage delusional thoughts and hallucinations.
• Medical professionals report a higher recovery rate with effective symptom management.

Schizophrenia treatment options have come a long way thanks to research and development from pharmaceutical companies. Each treatment option works differently, for different people, which is why a support system and complementary therapy is necessary. To truly help someone living with schizophrenia, caregivers should have a good understanding of the disorder and how to better impact positive change in the lives of their loved ones living with schizophrenia.⁵

References:

• http://www.sadag.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1442:schizophrenia-facts-andstatistics&

catid=38&Itemid=181

• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/schizophrenia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354443 - Last accessed

30/09/2020

• https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/39/5/962/1926273 - Last accessed 30/09/2020
• https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/news/20151020/talk-therapyschizophrenia#:~:

text=This%20study%20found%20that%20schizophrenia,the%20standard%20drug%2Dcentered%20

care. – Last accessed 28/10/2020

• https://theconversation.com/how-meditation-can-help-sufferers-of-schizophrenia-98231 - Last accessed 9/10/2020