A comorbid disorder is one that occurs at the same time as another disorder, or right after another disorder has occurred. Unfortunately, comorbid disorders tend to make each other worse than they would be if they occurred on their own. Physical ailments can be comorbid, but this blog will focus on comorbid mental illnesses. Mental […]
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Schizophrenia can be a lifelong battle, but recovery is possible in many cases. The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) estimates that about half of those with schizophrenia can recover with the correct treatment. While there is no cure for schizophrenia, living with the disease is certainly possible. A patient is said to be in […]
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Schizophrenia and psychosis have many similarities, but they also have many differences. Schizophrenia and psychosis are not the same, though some people use the two terms interchangeably. The biggest difference between schizophrenia and psychosis is that psychosis is a symptom or a group of symptoms (syndrome) while schizophrenia is a disorder. Patients who have schizophrenia […]
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The average life expectancy worldwide is about 70 years old. Unfortunately, the life expectancy of those who have schizophrenia is cut short by anywhere from 10 to 20 years. But why does this mental condition shorten someone’s life expectancy? The answer lies not so much in schizophrenia itself but in its association with unhealthy lifestyle […]
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The symptoms of schizophrenia are wide-ranging and can vary from person to person, but they can be categorized into three types: positive, negative, and cognitive. These symptoms typically begin to appear between ages 16 and 30. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia are actions or occurrences that are “added” to a person’s behavior when they begin to […]
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Even with the best medical and mental health care, and the best of intentions and efforts, schizophrenic relapses still happen. Relapses can occur when you least expect them to, even after you have made significant progress in your recovery. It’s important to remember that if you relapse, it isn’t your fault. You live with a […]
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Schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are two separate mental disorders that share some similar and overlapping qualities. Schizophrenia has been found to co-occur in about 25 percent of those who have OCD. One characteristic of both of the diseases is an imbalance in levels of serotonin, a chemical in charge of the messaging within the […]
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The relationship between schizophrenia and drug abuse is a complicated one. Those with schizophrenia often exhibit unusual behaviors like talking to imaginary figures, disorganized and scattered speech and lacking in personal hygiene. Some of these behaviors are shared with those who abuse drugs, which can lead people to believe that those with schizophrenia are actually […]
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Before mental illness was truly understood, all mental disorders were referred to as “insanity” and treated as such. This term is now considered offensive to those battling mental illness, and it is understood that the blanket of “insanity” does not define the varying levels and types of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, […]
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Just because you exhibit one or two symptoms of schizophrenia does not necessarily mean that you are schizophrenic. Many of the symptoms of schizophrenia overlap with symptoms of other mood disorders and physical ailments, and it’s important that these health problems are differentiated among so that the patient can have the best chance at recovery. […]
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The goal is to facilitate early identification of those experiencing extreme states in order to decrease the duration for untreated symptoms and reduce disruption to the young person’s psychosocial development through a collaborative, recovery oriented intervention.