Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a rare disorder that’s often misunderstood. If you’re seeking help for symptoms like social isolation, disordered thoughts, and other difficulties associated with schizophrenia, Ekop Graham, NP, PMHNP-BC, FNP, and her expert mental health team at Dynmed Primary Care & Wellness in Riverdale, Maryland, can support you and offer solutions to help. They provide personalized treatment to get you started toward mental wellness. To get in touch with the team, call the office or reach out online today.

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is often misrepresented in the media, but, simply put, it’s a chronic psychiatric disorder that disrupts your emotions, thoughts, and behavior. It usually doesn’t manifest until early adulthood.

One of schizophrenia’s greatest challenges is that it can impair your ability to organize your thoughts rationally, impacting your work, relationships, and overall well-being.

What are the common symptoms of schizophrenia?

The symptoms of schizophrenia can vary, both in severity and duration, but typically include:

Delusions

Delusions are strong incorrect beliefs, especially those that resist reason or contradictory evidence. You might feel you’re being persecuted, that you have special powers or abilities, or that you’re being controlled by external forces.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations are false sensory perceptions, most commonly auditory hallucinations, where you hear voices.

Disorganized thinking

Schizophrenia can disrupt your thought processes, which leads to trouble concentrating and disorganized and incoherent speech.

Disorganized or abnormal motor behavior

This might take the form of unpredictable movements, agitation, or becoming immobile and unresponsive for a while.

Cognitive impairments

You may notice problems with your memory, attention, and ability to solve problems.

Impaired functioning

Because of how these symptoms impact your life, schizophrenia can create difficulties in maintaining your relationships and a healthy routine. It can also make it harder to pursue education or fulfill employment.

The longer you have to go without help, the more you may notice reduced motivation and emotional expression. You may start to withdraw socially or struggle to maintain hygiene and self-care. If you relate to one or more of these symptoms, reach out to Dynmed Primary Care & Wellness as soon as possible.

How can my schizophrenia be treated?

The team performs a comprehensive evaluation before making a comprehensive treatment plan. Your care plan may include:

• Therapy, particularly cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Antipsychotic medication
• Social and professional support

It’s especially important to be open to receiving help from others as you look toward the future. Support groups can provide a place for you to share your experiences, listen to others who know what you’re going through, and receive helpful advice.

If you have schizophrenia, you don’t have to walk this road alone. The Dynmed Primary Care & Wellness team is ready to help you, so reach out to them by phone or online today.