How to identify and treat schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia refers to the most intractable diseases.

In most cases, it is possible to achieve a long-term remission of mental disorder, but it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of manifestation of its symptoms.

An important role in the treatment of this pathology is played by the timeliness of treatment and the individual characteristics of the patient’s psyche.

How to treat schizophrenia? Used to eliminate mental disorders. complex methods, including psychotherapeutic procedures and medicines of certain groups.

What is this disease and who can have it?

Schizophrenia is a kind of mental disorder, which is accompanied by a serious disintegration of the process of perception and thinking.

Violations are fundamental and alter emotional responses.

A distinctive feature of the disease is pronounced clinical polymorphism. The progression of the pathological condition is accompanied by the occurrence of delusions, hallucinations, inadequate affects and a serious violation of the patient’s social adaptation.

Symptoms of schizophrenia can occur at any age. The disease is equally affected by men and women.

Diagnostics - techniques

How is the diagnosis made? In the first stage of diagnosing schizophrenia the doctor collects anamnesis and conducts a conversation with the patient (if possible with his relatives).

Suspicion of this mental disorder can occur if a person has several signs defined by ICD-10 (catatonia, hallucinations, impaired thinking, the presence of delusions or delusional perception of reality).

Additionally applied DSM-V symptom classification. A distinctive feature of this diagnostic method is the need to preserve signs of schizophrenia for at least six months.

Other ways to diagnose schizophrenia:

Luscher Test (the technique is used with the help of color cards, which the patient must place in a certain order, the test helps to determine the emotional state of a person).
Methods of unfinished sentences (the patient must finish the sentences voiced to him, thanks to this type of testing, it is possible to determine the degree of self-esteem and the attitude of the patient to the world around)
Carpenter Scale (the scale is a list of certain signs of schizophrenia, the procedure allows to assess the mental status of a person).
Test liri (a person needs to evaluate a lot of judgments and choose the ones that he can apply to himself, the procedure is a good method for determining the patient’s attitude to himself).
MMPI test (the patient must give short answers to 500 questions, tasks are divided into several blocks, the procedure is a multidisciplinary study of the personality).
TAT Test (during the procedure, the patient is offered pictures of situations with different emotional colors, as a result of testing, the person’s experiences and nuances of his thoughts are revealed).
PANSS test (the specialist conducts a conversation with the patient, asking questions on a specific topic, the state of the person is determined by a seven-point scale).

In addition, the patient undergoes a virological examination, a scan of the cerebral vessels and a series of laboratory tests. EEG, MRI, night sleep monitoring and neurophysiological research may be included in the diagnostic complex.

Such procedures are necessary to exclude other pathologies with similar symptoms, as well as to assess the general health of the patient.

At the discretion of the physician, the stage of diagnosing schizophrenia may be supplemented by consultation with specialized experts and other survey methods.

How to distinguish schizophrenia from neurosis, depression and psychosis in this video:

How to determine the eye movement?

For the definition of schizophrenia, a special visual test.

Scientists have found that it is difficult for people with mental disabilities to focus their gaze on a stationary or slow moving object. With this test, the probability of schizophrenia is detected with an accuracy of 99%.

If before the eyes of a schizophrenic to slowly move an object, then at first his gaze will lag behind, and at the time of his stopping sharply focused. Keeping the focus on a fixed target will be almost impossible.

Differential research

Diagnosis of schizophrenia is hampered by a number of similarities of this pathology with numerous neurosis obsessive and other mental disorders. Exclusion of diseases with similar symptoms is mandatory when examining a patient.

Schizophrenia has significant features in treatment, the degree of progression and the potential threat to a person.

Therapy of this pathology is carried out according to a specific scheme and differs from the measures used to eliminate other diseases related to mental disorders.

Differential diagnosis of schizophrenia is carried out in relation to the following pathologies:

psychosis (the treatment regimen differs radically and the complexity of the course of the disease, the symptoms are in many ways similar to schizophrenia);
alcoholic psychosis (a kind of psychosis, the pathological condition is provoked by excessive use of alcohol or narcotic substances);
psychopathy (pathological conditions of this category are accompanied by impaired thinking and apathy, the overall clinical picture resembles schizophrenia);
bipolar disorder (this pathology may be the precursor of schizophrenia, its timely detection can reduce the risk of progression of mental disorder).

EEG and MRI

EEG and MRI in the diagnosis of schizophrenia are not assigned to confirm the diagnosis, but to identify possible brain pathologieswhich can provoke symptoms that resemble this mental disorder.

Such procedures, for example, help identify tumors or malfunction of certain departments.

The brain in schizophrenia has a specific ability of self-healing, therefore MRI and EEG do not provide an opportunity to confirm this diagnosis.

What is schizophrenia and how to treat it? Psychotherapist comments:

What will happen if not treated?

Schizophrenia is among the mental disorders that imply compulsory therapy. If treatment is delayed, the risk of developing irreversible processes in the brain will increase significantly.

Experts note that the most favorable prognosis is possible if the therapy is carried out within two years after the first symptoms of schizophrenia appear.

The consequences of this disease can cause impossibility of social interaction patient and a serious violation of his psycho-emotional state.

How to fight on your own?

Cure schizophrenia on your own without consulting a specialist is impossible. In the early stages of the development of a mental disorder (with the appearance of alarming symptoms), you can use some of the recommendations that will greatly improve the state of mind and prevent the progression of the disease.

If home treatment does not lead to noticeable results, then a visit to a specialist cannot be postponed in any way.

Recommendations:

Eliminate the abuse of bad habits (alcohol and other harmful substances can exacerbate the exacerbation of mental disorder).
Do not be isolated socially (in schizophrenia, there is a desire for solitude, but in no case should one refuse to communicate with friends and relatives).
Negative thoughts, fears, and obsessive ideas must be fought. (there are special methods of correction of psycho-emotional state, when they are used, the method of distracting from a negative object, mastering the techniques of respiratory gymnastics and relaxation is used).
Negative experience and unpleasant memories should be perceived as a past life stage, which will not recur (otherwise there will be a negative effect on the psyche).
Need to improve health (proper nutrition, sports, taking vitamin complexes, etc.).

Where is the disease treated in Russia?

In Russia, the treatment of schizophrenia deals with many clinicslocated in different cities.

Additionally opened private offices of psychotherapists.

When choosing a doctor or clinic, you must carefully study reputation medical institution and the experience of a specialist.

Schizophrenia is a complex disease involving skilled therapy. Errors in treatment can cause a deterioration in the patient’s health.

Clinic examples:

St. Petersburg Research Psychoneurological Institute. V.M. Spondylitis;
Clinic Doctor SUN (St. Petersburg);
Clinic Transformation (Moscow);
Clinic of rehabilitation therapy "Brain Clinic" (Moscow).

Which doctors to contact?

Who treats? If you suspect symptoms of schizophrenia need to contact a psychotherapist. Only a doctor of this specialization can provide expert help and prescribe treatment.

Psychologists cannot deal with schizophrenia. You can contact a psychiatrist to diagnose a mental disorder.

Each of these specializations has its own specifics. Some doctors have the right to practice only, others - science. For the treatment of schizophrenia need to find a psychotherapist with enough experience cure such ailment.

Treatment and rehabilitation

How to overcome the disease? Therapy of schizophrenia is carried out in three stages.

Cupping treatment It aims to eliminate the symptoms and episodes of psychosis.

Stabilizing stage It is a complex methodology aimed at consolidating the previously obtained result.

Anti-Recurrent Supportive Therapy used to prevent recurrence of the disease and maintain the effect of therapeutic measures. At each stage, special methods are used to normalize the patient's psychoemotional state.

Therapy for schizophrenia involves the following techniques:

Titles drugs, drugs and pills (agents from the category of tranquilizers - Phenazepam, Diazepam, Bromazepam, drugs with minimal risk of side effects include Lamotrigine, nootropes - Maclobemide, Amitriptyline, psychogogic drugs - Mesocarb).
Psychotherapy (in the treatment of schizophrenia, cognitive-behavioral, family, individual and group psychotherapy are used, timely use of these techniques allows the patient to increase his chances of social adaptation).
Communication treatment (in most cases, this technique is used in remission, the correct implementation of the technique allows the patient to develop self-control skills and increase his social adaptation).
New modern treatment methods (new areas of schizophrenia treatment have been developed in the field of drug therapy and psychotherapeutic methods, drugs with maximal effectiveness and minimal adverse symptoms are created - Risperidone, Olanzapine, Sertindol, the method of treatment of the disease without the use of neuroleptics is gaining popularity).
Hypnosis treatment for schizophrenia (during the hypnosis procedure, the doctor works with the patient's subconscious, in the treatment of schizophrenia, the technique is among the auxiliary methods of therapy).
Treatment of schizophrenia with cytokines (drugs in this category do not affect the brain or psyche, but the work of the immune system, the therapy course lasts an average of three months, intramuscular drugs are injected - anti-TNF-alpha and anti-IFN-gamma).
Antidepressants for schizophrenia (this category of drugs reduces the feeling of anxiety and normalizes the psycho-emotional state of the patient, Pirlindol or Amitriptyline are prescribed for schizophrenia).

Is it possible to treat schizophrenia without medication? Psychiatrist responds:

Diet and nutrition

A schizophrenic diet implies one limitation. From the diet should be products containing gluten and gluten are excluded.

These substances are involved in the processing of hormones and can worsen the patient's condition with their regular presence in the menu.

In the preparation of the diet the principles of healthy eating should be taken as a basis, eliminating harmful ingredients and increasing the amount of vitamins. Eat products that are in the category of prohibitions can be a maximum of twice a week (in the minimum amount).

Are excluded from the diet or consumed in minimal amounts The following products:

sweet soda;
alcohol products;
wheat, semolina, oatmeal and barley grits;
chocolate and cocoa;
milk and dairy products;
sausages;
products from rye and wheat flour;
lamb, pork, beef.

Remission

Remission in schizophrenia can last for years. Key role in this case, the general state of mind of the patient plays, as well as the timeliness of the diagnosis and treatment.

If the recommendations of specialists are carried out rigorously, then the chances of long-term remissions increase to a great extent. In medical practice, there are cases where attacks have been absent for five years or more.

About remission in schizophrenia in this video:

How to get rid of the disease forever?

Is schizophrenia treated in adults and in children? It is impossible to completely cure schizophrenia, but can achieve stable remission. Due to correct and timely treatment, the prognosis improves to a great extent.

According to medical statistics, it is best to correct schizophrenia, seen in children and adolescents. However, women are more likely to have long remissions than men.

This is due primarily to the fact that the symptoms of the disease in the fair sex appear with less intensity.

How to live with such a problem?

Quality of life in schizophrenia directly depends on the attitude of the person to their health.

Do not get hung up on the problem. It is better to think over the options for getting out of difficult situations in advance.

Patients must regularly examined by a doctor. An unscheduled specialist must be visited if the symptoms of the disease become more intense.

People diagnosed with schizophrenia should perform the following recommendations:

it is necessary to notice the onset of symptoms of schizophrenia and take measures to relieve it;
do not abuse bad habits and excessive use of coffee;
it is necessary to make a list in advance of the situations that provoke the exacerbation of the disease (and think over in advance how to solve the problem at the time of its occurrence)
the regimen prescribed by the doctor must be strictly followed (taking certain medications, procedures, etc.);
the development of relaxation techniques has a beneficial effect on the psyche (relaxation, yoga, breathing exercises, etc.);
situations that provoke attacks, it is desirable to try to exclude.

Is schizophrenia treatable? Find out from the video:

How to help the patient?

An important role is played by the attitude of relatives and close friends to a person diagnosed with schizophrenia. Do not dwell on the problem and discuss it regularly with the patient.

It is necessary to distract him as much as possible from thoughts about his illness and help him adapt to society.

Correct behavior tactics of relatives can speed up the treatment process and increase the probability of persistent and long-term remissions.

Tips for communicating with a personDiagnosed with:

do not make fun of or criticize the patient;
it is necessary to provide a favorable atmosphere with the exception of stressful situations;
You can try to engage the patient in new activities (drawing, embroidery, etc.);
care must be taken that the patient spends enough time outdoors and eats properly;
in communication it is necessary to forget about the diagnosis (it is necessary to consult with the patient, to involve him in the solution of everyday issues in order to exclude a decrease in his self-esteem).

How to make a diagnosis?

Making a diagnosis of schizophrenia regulated by law. This procedure is carried out in several stages.

If within a year the patient has a tendency to recovery, he can cancel the prescribed drugs.

The corresponding mark is made in the outpatient map and is confirmed by references. Further, if within five years there are no relapses of the disease, then the diagnosis can be withdrawn.

Theoretically, this procedure is possible, but in practice it is extremely difficult to implement.

AT commissions участвует несколько врачей-психотерапевтов, которые будут тщательно изучать историю болезни.

Особенности снятия диагноза шизофрения:

Снятым с учета считается пациент, карта которого направлена в архив (понятия «учет» в Российской федерации не используется).
Для подтверждения снятия диагноза необходимо отсутствие рецидивов заболевания минимум в течение пяти лет (при условии, что пациент снят с динамического наблюдения).

Шизофрения в значительной степени нарушает работоспособность головного мозга, процесс мышления и восприятия действительности. Если диагностика подтверждает данное заболевание, то лечение надо проводить незамедлительно. В противном случае добиться стойкой ремиссии будет крайне затруднительно.

Как избежать шизофрении? О профилактике болезни в этом видео: