What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It may involve a break from reality (psychosis), with symptoms like hallucinations or delusional beliefs. It’s not the same as having a “split personality”; it’s a complex, chronic condition that requires long-term care.
What causes it?
Schizophrenia is thought to develop due to a combination of biological and environmental factors, such as:
- An imbalance in brain chemicals like dopamine and glutamate
- A family history of schizophrenia or related disorders
- Complications during pregnancy or birth
- Drug use, especially during adolescence
- High levels of stress or trauma, particularly in vulnerable individuals
What are the possible symptoms?
Symptoms typically begin in late teens or early adulthood and include:
- Hallucinations: seeing or hearing things that aren’t there
- Delusions: strong beliefs not based in reality
- Disorganised thinking or speech that’s hard to follow
- Reduced motivation, social withdrawal, or flat emotional expression
- Poor concentration, self-care difficulties, and lack of insight into illness
What do we do?
Schizophrenia is managed by Dr. Prabhojit through careful evaluation, medication, and long-term support.
Treatment includes:
A detailed psychiatric
assessment to confirm diagnosis and symptom pattern
01
Antipsychotic medications
chosen and adjusted based on response and side effects
02
Therapy
to improve communication, social skills, and coping strategies
03
Psychoeducation
for the patient and family to support understanding and reduce stigma
04
Long-term monitoring
and support to improve functioning and reduce relapse risk
05