Schizophrenia is a serious and challenging medical illness that affects over 2 million American adults, which is about 1% of the population age 18 and older. Although it is often feared and misunderstood, schizophrenia is a treatable medical condition.
Schizophrenia often interferes with a person’s ability to think clearly, to distinguish reality from fantasy, to manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. The first signs of schizophrenia typically emerge in the teenage years or early twenties. The World Health Organization has identified schizophrenia as one of the ten most debilitating diseases world wide.
Drug use can mimic the symptoms of schizophrenia and may also trigger vulnerability in individuals at risk.
While there is no cure for schizophrenia, it is a treatable and manageable disease. However, people sometimes stop treatment because of medication side effects, the lack of insight into the disease, disorganized thinking, because they feel the medication is not working, or because they feel better and feel the medication is no longer needed.
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People with schizophrenia who stop taking prescribed medication are at risk of relapse into an acute psychotic episode. It is important to realize that the needs of a person with schizophrenia may change over time. Treatment interventions include medication, support and counseling.
Research shows that people with schizophrenia who attend structured psychosocial rehabilitation programs and continue with their medical treatment manage their illness the best.
At Pasadena Villa® and TLLC, we offer a comprehensive approach to the treatment of schizophrenia, which includes a full medial and psychiatric work-up, psychopharmacology and medication management, education, support and a variety of individualized psychotherapies.
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