Schizophrenia Definition | Schizophrenia Treatments
One of the most severe and misunderstood mental disorders, schizophrenia can be a debilitating condition that manifests in various ways and caused by a number of risk factors, but there are certain formal and natural remedies available to treat the symptoms.
Schizophrenia Treatments
There are a number of formal and natural schizophrenia treatments, including anti-psychotic medicines, individual therapy, family therapy, social skills training, hospitalization, electroconvulsive therapy, ginkgo biloba, St. John’s Wort, vitamin D, Indian gooseberry and dietary changes.
Many people who suffer from negative or cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia struggle to interact with friends, acquaintances, strangers, colleagues and family members. There are some social skills training programs that can ease this process and provide useful techniques for those with severe social symptoms.
St. John’s Wort
One of the most popular natural remedies for depression, fatigue and chronic anxiety is St. John’s Wort. Given how these symptoms are often experienced in schizophrenics, this herbal supplement is trusted by millions of people around the world.
Indian Gooseberry
Legendary in Ayurvedic medicine, indian gooseberry – also known as amla – is able to enhance the function of the brain by detoxifying the body and stimulating positive neurotransmitter formation. This can improve mood, eliminate certain social symptoms, and generally help control schizophrenia in its many forms.
Anti-Psychotic Medication
The most popular clinical approach to treating schizophrenia is the use of anti-psychotic medication, such as Abilify, Clozaril or Risperidone, among more than a dozen others. These drugs are prescribed after consultation with a psychiatrist trained in mental disorders. These medications may be administered in addition to anti-anxiety or anti-depressant drugs. The side effects of anti-psychotic medications can be intense, and are the main reason why people seek alternative remedies for this disorder.
Hospitalization
In serious cases where harm to oneself or others is possible, either through malnutrition, lack of taking medication, or extreme psychotic symptoms, hospitalization may be required for brief or extended periods of time.
Dietary Changes
Some recent research has shown a connection between gluten intolerance and schizophrenia, as well as a lack of whole grains, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant-rich foods. By shifting your diet to one that includes lean meats, vegetables, fruit, whole-grain foods or gluten-free foods, you may be able to successfully control the symptoms of this condition.
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Although this approach has gone out of fashion in many medical circles, electroconvulsive therapy is able to slightly alter brain chemistry and may rapidly eliminate the symptoms of mental disorders, such as schizophrenia. This is done by passing a small electrical current through part of the brain, essentially triggering a small seizure.
Family Therapy
This is a very time-consuming and challenging mental disorder to tackle, but success has been found in family therapy, where every individual in the family has some role in the at-home care, showing the patient that they have the necessary support, without burdening a single individual.
Ginkgo Biloba
This ancient herb has a number of anxiolytic, mood-boosting and hormone-balancing properties that can affect neurotransmitter activity in the brain and mitigate some of the worst symptoms of this mental disorder.
Individual Therapy
Working with a psychotherapist can often help schizophrenic patients identify their triggers and understand the disorder on a more tangible basis. If they know more about their specific case, they are more able to recognize mood-related symptoms, delusions and hallucinations as parts of the disorder, helping them on the road to recovery.
