AMMAN – How is schizophrenia treated, can it be coped with, what is this disease, what are its symptoms, causes and treatment?

What is schizophrenia?

The Senior Consultant in Psychiatry, the Middle East Representative at the World Psychiatric Association, Dr. Walid Sarhan, shows that schizophrenia is considered a psychotic disease, based on a full description of the manifestations of the disease, behavioral and intellectual disorders, cognitive and willpower disorders, in addition to delusions and hallucinations.

He added in remarks to Al Jazeera Net that the disease is a mental disorder that affects 1% of humans, and spreads in all communities at a rate of two to four cases per 10 thousand of the population annually.

Dr. Sarhan confirms that schizophrenia occurs in males as well as females, but it can occur in men earlier than in women. In men, it occurs between the ages of 15 and 25, and in women it is between the ages of 25 and 35, but it can occur at any age from childhood to old age.

What causes schizophrenia?

Dr. Sarhan explains that the causes of this disease are due to a number of factors, some of which create susceptibility to it, others that help to develop it and lead to some changes in the brain, such as genetic factors.

Schizophrenia is more common if the patient has a first-degree relative, and for identical twins, there is a 40% to 65% chance that one of them will develop schizophrenia if his twin develops.

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

According to Dr. Sarhan, the symptoms of schizophrenia vary from individual to individual, and even in the same patient at different times, and there is a variation in the speed of occurrence of the disease, and the way in which it appears.

These symptoms include:

  • Auditory, visual, olfactory and physical hallucinations, in which the patient imagines that he heard sounds, saw objects or smelled certain smells.
  • Delusions such as the illusion of grandeur or oppression and control, and others.
  • Disorders in thinking, speech and behavior.

How can schizophrenia be diagnosed?

Dr. Sarhan considers that the diagnosis of schizophrenia depends on knowing the patient's medical history accurately, while excluding some mood disorders and psychotic diseases that may result from certain hallucinogenic, stimulant and narcotic substances in general.

The doctor warns of the need for attention and caution in diagnosing schizophrenia, especially in childhood and old age, and in some cases that are accompanied by unfamiliar symptoms, or at the onset of psychosis or relapse after many years, or if symptoms and manifestations change.

How do we deal with a schizophrenia patient?

Dr. Muhammad Abu Solih, a specialist in psychiatry and addiction treatment, advises those who deal with schizophrenia patients to stay away from charged and sharp discussions with them, such as discussing some of the illusions that the patient thinks, which are originally erroneous, but he is fully and fully convinced of them and does not accept discussion.

Abu Solih confirms – in statements to Al Jazeera Net – that it is important to deal normally with the person concerned and not to notify him that he is sick, and encourage him to adhere to the treatment and medicines prescribed to him.

Are schizophrenia medications addictive?

Dr. Abu Solih stresses that schizophrenia medications are not addictive, and says that the antipsychotics with which patients are treated and mood stabilizers do not harm as long as they are used under the supervision of a doctor and in a correct manner.

He stressed the need to adhere to the doctor's instructions, and not to stop treatment before the end of the specified period.

Is it possible to live with schizophrenia?

Dr. Abu Solih believes that schizophrenia is historically classified as a chronic disease that cannot be cured, but can be dealt with and lived with, such as diabetes, pressure and others.

Schizophrenia patients can be divided into 3 sections, as mentioned by Abu Solih:

  • Patients who are treated for and cured of the disease require a short treatment period of 9 months to one year.
  • Patients who improve very much and return to their normal lives, but need to take medication continuously.
  • Patients whose condition is more difficult, and medication is not enough to control all their symptoms, and who need permanent social support along with medication.

What are the most important methods of treating the disease?

Dr. Abu Solih stresses that the most important ways to treat schizophrenia are antipsychotic drugs, in addition to warming and social integration of the patient in his surroundings, and encouraging him to engage in it.

He added that there are some severe cases that do not respond to the drug, and may resort to the use of so-called electric shocks, often after trying several types of drugs without result.

How long is schizophrenia treated?

Dr. Abu Solih explains that the drugs used in this field need 6 to 8 weeks to show their effect, so it should be expected that there will be no response before this period, which is the initial period of treatment of the disease.