Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. It can severely disrupt a person’s daily life by causing symptoms such as delusions, hallucinations, and disordered thinking. People who have schizophrenia often experience false perceptions of reality, impacting their ability to understand what is real and what is not, which can leave them feeling isolated and distressed.
If you are experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia, Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan, can provide quality treatment to help you learn how to manage those symptoms and find long-term healing.
Common Causes of & Risk Factors for Schizophrenia
The typical age of onset of schizophrenia is 16-30. Symptoms of the disorder can appear slowly over time, and people can experience gradual changes in mood, thought patterns, and behavior prior to the first episode of psychosis.
Research indicates that genetics, brain structure and function, and environmental factors may play a role in a person’s likelihood of developing schizophrenia.
Genetics: Schizophrenia can run in families, and there is a 10% increase in a person’s risk for having the disorder if they have a first-degree relative who has schizophrenia. Experts believe that there are several genes associated with an increased risk for developing schizophrenia, yet no one gene has been identified as causing the onset of the disorder by itself.
Brain structure and function: Research suggests that imbalances in brain chemistry can prevent the brain from communicating effectively, and studies have shown that there are small differences in the brain structure and central nervous system of people who have schizophrenia.
Environmental factors: Researchers believe that there are certain environmental factors, like malnutrition in the womb and exposure to certain viruses and toxins, that can cause a person to have an increased risk for developing schizophrenia.
Signs & Symptoms of Schizophrenia
It is important for people who are experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia to seek an evaluation from a qualified professional.
Symptoms of schizophrenia are divided into three categories, including positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and cognitive symptoms.
Positive symptoms: These symptoms can cause a person to misinterpret reality. Examples of positive symptoms include:
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Disorganized thoughts
- Jumbled speech
- Irregular motor behavior
Negative symptoms: These symptoms may cause disruption in emotion and behavior. Some examples of negative symptoms are:
- Disinterest in daily activities
- Loss of motivation
- Neglecting personal hygiene
- Not being able to express emotion
- Actively avoiding social interaction
Cognitive symptoms: These symptoms interfere with a person’s ability to think clearly. Examples of cognitive symptoms include:
- Being unable to make sense of information
- Having a poor memory
- Experiencing difficulty focusing
Effects of Schizophrenia
When left untreated, schizophrenia can have severe effects on a person’s life, causing them to suffer from behavioral, emotional, and physical challenges.
Common effects of schizophrenia include:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Difficulty maintaining a job
- Financial struggles
- Legal concerns
- Substance use and addiction
- Homelessness
- Self-harm behaviors
- Suicidal ideation
- Isolation from others
- Neglect of health
- Family conflict
- Paranoia
At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan, we can help you learn ways to manage schizophrenia symptoms and minimize the impact the effects may have on your life.
Schizophrenia Statistics
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), schizophrenia affects an estimated 1.5 million people annually and is noted as being one of the most debilitating mental illnesses.
In a 2022 article, the World Health Organization (WHO) states that nearly half of people who are receiving treatment in a mental health hospital have schizophrenia, and only slightly more than 30% of people who are in a state of psychosis get specialized care for their needs.
At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital, we maintain high standards for the treatment our team provides. We strive to guide our patients using our expertise, giving them the resources they need to start healing.
Therapies Used in Schizophrenia Treatment at Our Michigan Hospital
At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, we believe that it is important for patients to receive individualized treatment plans that are customized based on their needs and treatment goals. No two people have the exact same experience with schizophrenia, and we strive to provide patients with comprehensive care so that they can truly benefit from treatment.
Before a person begins treatment, they receive an assessment from our team. This assessment is meant to give our staff information about the person’s background, treatment history, and current and past symptoms, as well as any other factors that could impact their treatment process. Using the results of that assessment, our team creates a treatment plan that is customized specifically to address their needs.
While schizophrenia treatment plans vary based on the individual, examples of the services someone can receive at our hospital include:
- Medication management services: Not all patients receive medication; however, it is not uncommon for people who are struggling with schizophrenia to need medication included as part of their overall treatment. For those patients who do take medication, they can meet daily with one of our nurses for medication management services.
- Group therapy: Group therapy is one of the main methods of care we use at our schizophrenia treatment center. Group therapy sessions are led by experienced social workers and take place daily. We offer a number of different types of groups, including skills development groups, process groups, and psychoeducation groups. While in the group sessions, patients may discuss topics such as coping skills, healthy boundaries, self-esteem, and trauma.
- Individual therapy: Individual therapy sessions are offered on an as-needed basis at our schizophrenia treatment center. Patients who have individual therapy included in their treatment plans meet with a social worker in a confidential setting where they can discuss any specific struggles they are having, process their experiences, and keep track of the progress they are making in treatment.
- Family therapy: There are times when family therapy can be beneficial to a person’s overall therapeutic process. Family therapy is offered weekly for children and adolescents, and it is provided on an as-needed or as-requested basis for adults.
- Experiential therapy: At our schizophrenia treatment center, we offer experiential therapies for adolescents and adults. These therapies are offered daily and can include music therapy, art therapy, and recreational therapy. By participating in experiential therapies, patients have an opportunity to express themselves outside of traditional talk therapy, which can be beneficial to their healing process.
- Basic medical care: Basic medical care is available when needed.
Your continued success is important to us, and we will begin planning your aftercare at the start of treatment. We can provide a list of community resources and make recommendations for continuing care, which may include follow-up services and support groups.
Our Dedicated Treatment Team
Working with a compassionate and dedicated team of professionals is essential to being successful in schizophrenia treatment. At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital in West Bloomfield, our patients benefit from working with a team of caring individuals who truly want to help them heal.
The highly skilled professionals who provide care at our schizophrenia treatment center include:
- Social workers
- Psychiatrists
- Psychiatric nurse practitioners
- Family medicine physicians
- Mental health technicians
- Music therapists
- Recreational therapists
- Art therapists
- Dietitians
Our team strives to provide patients with a treatment experience that makes them feel respected, heard, and cared for. We aim to help them not only heal, but to be confident in their ability to manage their symptoms long after they leave our hospital.
Choosing the Right Schizophrenia Treatment Center
Selecting the right schizophrenia treatment center is a crucial step in achieving lasting healing. At Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital, located in West Bloomfield, Michigan, we can provide you with a proper diagnosis and develop an individualized treatment plan that can meet your personal needs.
We believe that for a fully comprehensive treatment experience, patients must have access to a variety of therapeutic interventions and treatment modalities. Some of the modalities we incorporate into our patients’ treatment plans are dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and motivational interviewing.
Our warm, welcoming environment is an ideal place to start on your path to healing. With the support of our staff and ease of our admissions process, you can be on your way to a productive, satisfying life.
If you have any questions about schizophrenia treatment, the comprehensive services we offer, or how to begin the admissions process, please contact us today. Our intake specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help you begin your healing journey.
This content was written on behalf of and reviewed by the clinical staff at Henry Ford Behavioral Health Hospital.