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Many people who develop schizophrenia lead fulfilling lives with the right care, support, and treatment. Holly Giarratano, LCMHC-A, and James Manning, MD, at Hampstead Therapy and Wellness in Hampstead, North Carolina, have extensive experience helping people manage this incurable illness and lead happier, more productive lives. To arrange an in-person or telehealth schizophrenia evaluation, call Hampstead Therapy and Wellness or complete the online booking form today.
Schizophrenia Q & A
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia affects how someone thinks, feels, and acts. It’s often misunderstood, but with the proper care, people can manage schizophrenia successfully and lead meaningful lives.
Schizophrenia symptoms are usually grouped into three main categories. The first is positive symptoms (things that shouldn’t be there), which include:
Hallucinations
Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real, like voices in your head
Delusions
Strong beliefs that aren’t based in reality, like thinking someone is watching or controlling you.
Disorganized thinking or speech
Jumping between topics or talking in ways that are hard to follow.
People with schizophrenia may also exhibit strange or unusual movements.
The next category is negative symptoms — things that are missing or reduced when you have schizophrenia. For example:
- Lack of emotion or expression
- Trouble starting or following through with tasks
- Withdrawing from others or losing interest in social life
- Low energy or motivation
The third schizophrenia symptom category is cognitive issues, such as trouble focusing or paying attention, memory problems, and difficulty organizing thoughts or making decisions.
What causes schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia’s precise cause is unclear, but factors include:
Genetics
If someone in your family (like a parent or sibling) has schizophrenia, your chances of developing it are significantly higher.
Brain chemical imbalances
Schizophrenia has been linked to problems with brain chemicals, especially dopamine, which affects mood, motivation, and thinking.
Stressful life events or trauma
Going through intense stress, such as the death of a loved one, abuse, or a major life change, can trigger symptoms or make them worse, especially in someone who’s already at risk genetically.
Brain structure
Some people with schizophrenia show differences in brain structure, such as smaller brain regions or unusual connections between areas.
The Hampstead Therapy and Wellness team considers all these pieces when building a treatment plan. While schizophrenia doesn’t currently have a cure, it is manageable.
How is schizophrenia treated?
Schizophrenia treatments include:
Medication
Antipsychotic medications reduce or control hallucinations and delusions.
Therapy
Psychotherapy helps people better understand their condition, manage emotions, and improve life skills.
Support services
Case management, group therapy, and family education all play a significant role.
Lifestyle support
Regular sleep, healthy eating, stress management, and social connections are all important.
Hampstead Therapy and Wellness offers compassionate, personalized psychiatric care for people living with schizophrenia. Call the office or request an appointment online today. Telehealth appointments are also available.