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Schizophrenia Symptoms
Symptoms of schizophrenia may include:
Hallucinations -- hearing or seeing imaginary things
Delusions -- wildly false beliefs
Paranoia -- the fear others are plotting against you
Some symptoms, such as lack of enjoyment in everyday
life and withdrawal from social activities, may mimic
depression.
Diagnosing Schizophrenia
There are no lab tests to detect schizophrenia, so a
diagnosis is usually based on history and symptoms. Tests
may be ordered to rule out other medical causes of
symptoms. In teenagers, a combination of family history
and certain behaviors can help predict the onset of
schizophrenia. These behaviors include withdrawing from
social groups and expressing unusual suspicions.
Psychosocial Therapies
Counseling can help people cope with their problem
behaviors and thoughts, and improve how they relate to
others. In cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), people
learn to test the reality of their thoughts and better
manage symptoms. Other forms of therapy aim to
improve self-care, communication, and relationship
skills. These strategies are not meant to replace
medication, but can help people already stable on
medication manage everyday challenges.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation may include job training, money
management counseling, and guidance in using public
transportation or shopping for groceries. The goal is to
help people with schizophrenia stay employed and
maintain as much independence as possible. Rehab
programs are particularly effective when combined with
psychotherapy.
Relapse Prevention
People with schizophrenia sometimes quit their
medications because of side effects or a poor
understanding of their illness. This raises the risk of
serious symptoms returning and triggering a full
psychotic episode. Regular psychosocial therapy can help
people stay on medication and avoid a relapse or the
need for hospitalization.