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Controlling Schizophrenia
Delusions, hallucinations, and severe disturbances in thinking, these are all symptoms of a severe psychotic disorder diagnosed as schizophrenia. This disorder affects a vast number of people, with a frequency rate of one person in every one-hundred (Nadelson 13). There is no miracle cure for this disorder; however, with the proper treatment, it can remain under control. Schizophrenia is characterized by some of the most bizarre symptoms including but not limited to disorganized speech, impaired cognitive abilities, and inappropriate behavior (Wade and Tarvis 641). These symptoms make it very difficult for a person to function in most aspects of daily life. People with schizophrenia do much worse than healthy people in almost every cognitive domain especially verbal learning and recall of words and stories, language and perception (Barlow 421). Many of these cognitive impairments tend to emerge in children before an actual schizophrenic breakdown occurs, and these symptoms last after the patient’s psychotic symptoms subside (Heinrichs 164). Many other symptoms appear months before hallucinations or delusions such as losing the motivation to care for ones self, like failure to bathe, or go to work. Many even tend to become withdrawn into their own private world; this condition is called catatonic stupor (Wade and Tarvis 628). Now that we know many of the symptoms of schizophrenics, you must know that many of these symptoms can be controlled in different ways.
Successful treatment for people with schizophrenia rarely includes complete recovery. However, the quality of life for individuals who suffer from the disorder can be greatly improved. One way is to seek help with psychological treatment plans including therapy for the disorder (Barlow and Durand 445). There are many other ways to help reduce symptoms that include medication, keeping a daily routine, and staying on schedule. If the disorder goes without being treated...