Hey there!
Welcome to Life Noggin.
Mental health is important.
Just like some of my human friends have conditions that can be more easily seen on the outside,
others have conditions that affect them mentally.
One of these conditions is Schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia is described as a severe and chronic mental disorder that can affect different
parts of a person's life, such as how they think, feel, and make decisions.
Often showing up in their late teens or 20s, individuals with schizophrenia often have
a different interpretation of what they believe to be reality.
Compared to other mental disorders, it is not very common, but it can be a pretty severe
disorder.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the main symptoms of schizophrenia
fall under one of three categories; positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive
symptoms.
Positive symptoms include psychotic behaviors not generally seen in people without schizophrenia,
such as hallucinations, delusions, and agitated body movements.
Negative symptoms disrupt the a person's behaviors and emotions, such as reduced speaking, difficulty
starting activities, and less pleasure in everyday life.
Cognitive symptoms include trouble paying attention and using information to make decisions.
So once it's figured out that someone has schizophrenia, what is treatment like?
Well, since it's a chronic condition that doesn't have a cure, it requires lifelong
treatment.
Common treatments include antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy.
Antipsychotic medications are typically a daily pill or liquid, but can sometimes be
injections given once or twice a month.
Psychotherapy is usually a step taken after a patient is put on an effective medication
regime, and teaches people coping skills to help address whatever challenges they still
face with schizophrenia.
And even better treatments might be on the horizon!
According to a recent press release, scientists have unraveled the molecular structure of
risperidone, an often prescribed antipsychotic, docked in its D2 dopamine receptor.
It's allowed scientists to have the chance at understanding how some antipsychotic drugs
bind to their primary molecular target in the human brain.
Their discovery might just pave the way for a new generation of antipsychotic drugs that
can better treat mental illnesses like schizophrenia, with the hope of more desirable outcomes and
fewer side effects.
Currently, common side effects and risks associated with antipsychotics include things like weight
gain and movement disorders, so reducing or getting rid of the chance for these could
be great for the treatment process.
Going back to our friends at the National Institute of Mental Health, they have some
advice for supporting or caring for someone with schizophrenia.
Help them get treatment and encourage them to stick with it.
Maybe even find some support groups if you can.
Remember that their beliefs and hallucinations can feel very real to them, so do your best
to acknowledge their thoughts and feelings with kindness and respect!
I do love it when you humans help each other.
So have you are anyone you've known been affected by schizophrenia?
If you're comfortable with sharing, let me know in the comments below
If you wanna learn more, check out the video we did on what it's like to have ADHD.
it can be common to have times of inattention, sporadic motor activity, or even times of
impulsivity, but for most people with ADHD these times are far more severe and frequent.
As always my name is Blocko.
This has been Life Noggin.
Don't Forget To Keep On Thinking!
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét