1. Understand the Causes of Schizophrenia
Rather than having a singular primary cause, schizophrenia is best understood as a combination of interacting factors that produce schizophrenic symptoms. Genetically speaking, schizophrenia runs in families. First-degree relatives have a 10-percent chance of passing the disorder on through heredity.
Another cause is brain receptor dysfunction. The Dopamine Hypothesis refers to a biochemical imbalance, wherein high levels of dopamine and/or HVA reside in subcortical regions of schizophrenics' brains, overstimulating the receptors and causing sensory distortions.
Anatomically, many people suffering from schizophrenia have enlarged lateral ventricles, which are presumed to be the result of atrophied frontal lobes. Because these lobes fail to metabolize glucose appropriately, dysfunction occurs that results in sensory distortion.
A final contributor is psychosocial, relating to the schizophrenic's family and environment. Studies have indicated that High-Expressed Emotion (HEE) families tend to contain more tension, criticism, hostility and rejection, and that this type of environmental feedback worsens the schizophrenic?s condition.
2. Recognize the Focus of Treatment
Some diseases have no cure. Sadly, schizophrenia is one of them. Therefore, similar to the way doctors treat incurable physical conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, mental health practitioners strive for symptom management and to improve the patient's quality of life.
For this reason, persons suffering with schizophrenia and families concerned for their schizophrenic loved ones should see the condition realistically, understand that the treatment takes time and focus on improvement rather than complete recovery. Common goals include preventing suicide, avoiding relapse, improving functioning, enhancing self-esteem and comforting the family.
3. Pursue Biological Treatment
The first consideration when treating a person with schizophrenia is whether they present a danger to themselves or to others. Those suffering from paranoid schizophrenia sometimes strike out in self-defense when their delusions or hallucinations cause them to perceive normal situations as threats. Although schizophrenics believe they are defending themselves from real perils, their behaviors could easily injure those around them if left unchecked. If the danger is substantial, physical restraints may be used to subdue the person for observation.
Practitioners generally reduce aggression with tranquilizers, such as haloperidol or chlorpromazine. In addition to benzodiazepines, antipsychotics (such as thioridazine) help to minimize symptoms and return the patient to a state of functionality. Medication may continue long-term to control chronic dysfunction. Just as a diabetic must take insulin to manage a biological disorder, so too must schizophrenics take their medication regularly and in the proper dosage.
4. Utilize Psychosocial Treatment
Psychotic schizophrenics are easily overwhelmed by stimuli, have a generally short attention span and experience difficulty discerning between reality and their delusions. Therefore, consultations with them should be brief and non-confrontational. Several short sessions are preferable to one lengthy session, and practitioners typically accomplish more during these brief exchanges than they would in a longer one.
Reality testing is a crucial form of therapy, wherein the schizophrenic is encouraged to evaluate her beliefs against the factual evidence around her. Other supportive treatments include helping to reduce excessive worrying (paranoia) and helping the schizophrenic sort through her disorganized thoughts.
Caring for the family is just as important as treating the patient. Therefore, practitioners should strive to provide family support and to build an alliance with all members so that they may assist the patient with daily needs.
