Schizophrenia
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia falls under the category of mental illnesses
known as thought disorders. It is an illness that can interfere with a
person's ability to care for themselves, socialize appropriately, and work.
People who have schizophrenia often have a hard time concentrating and
communicating with others. People who suffer from this disease experience
what are known as psychotic symptoms, including delusions, hallucinations,
and disorganized speech.
Common symptoms of Schizophrenia
Who Schizophrenia affects
It is estimated that about one out of one hundred people
get schizophrenia. Usually, the symptoms first appear in the teenage years
or early adulthood. Everyone in the life of a person who has schizophrenia's
is also affected by this potentially devastating mental illness.
What causes schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia's causes are not completely known but genetic
influences are thought to play a primary factor. It also appears that stress
may trigger the onset of this illness in some people who have the genetic
disposition to develop schizophrenia.
Treatment
For several decades there have been medications that
can treat the symptoms of schizophrenia. Medications such as Thorazine
and Haldol have effectively been used to help people who experience psychotic
features. Newer medications such a Clozaril and Zyprexa are controlling
symptoms with even better results in many people and with less of the troublesome
side effects. Another treatment that sometimes coincides with a medication
routine is for a person to receive information and support on an outpatient
basis, such as at a Day Treatment program. Lakeside Alternatives has a
fully developed Day Treatment program which offers psychoeducational and
rehabilitation groups in a supportive setting. Individualized treatment
goals also are addressed in such programs.
Services offered to people with schizophrenia at Lakeside
Alternatives
Lakeside Alternatives offers Medication Clinics, Pharmaceutical,
Day Treatment, Vocational, Case Management, and Emergency Services, as
appropriate, to people with the potentially devastating mental illness
of schizophrenia.
For emergency services or for referral to any of our
services, please call or visit the Access
Center
Accredited by Joint
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)