Schizophrenia is a chronic mental illness that causes those who suffer from it to experience reality in a way that others do not. This can lead to a constellation of symptoms including eccentric delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, disorganized speech and thinking, and odd behaviors. Schizophrenia can affect all aspects of an individual’s life causing problems in family relationships, interpersonal relationships, the ability to successfully hold down a job, and the capability to care for oneself.
Schizophrenia is a mysterious illness that’s often described in terms of positive and negative symptoms. Positive symptoms of schizophrenia include hallucinations, disorganized thoughts and speech, psychosis and delusions. These symptoms often respond well to medication.
Negative symptoms of schizophrenia are disturbances in emotional responses and thought processes. These may include lack of speech, anhedonia (inability to feel pleasure), decreased desire for personal relationships and diminished motivation, along with flat affect and emotions. These negative symptoms do not respond as well to medication.
With proper treatment and management, people who have schizophrenia are able to experience a normal life. At Abilene, we’re ready to help those who have schizophrenia get the help they deserve.
Why Consider Inpatient Treatment for Schizophrenia
Research has shown that one of the most effective ways to manage schizophrenia is through an inpatient program such as Abilene Behavioral Health. We offer medication management to get your symptoms under control coupled with therapeutic techniques to allow you to learn the coping skills necessary to live a happy and fulfilled life.
By welcoming you into our warm and friendly environment, we are able to reduce the stressors you face and allow you the proper medication so that your symptoms are stabilized. We’ll make certain to get to know you, your struggles and what has worked for you in the past in effort to help us create a customized treatment plan to meet your needs. We want to treat the whole you, not just your symptoms.
Abilene Behavioral Health is recognized as a behavioral health leader and as such, we’re dedicated to providing you with the understanding and respect you deserve while delivering the highest quality care to you and your loved ones. When you’re staying with us, you’ll always have a supportive shoulder to lean on.
Program Philosophy and Benefits
As a behavioral health leader, Abilene is known for our exemplary staff and nurturing environment and we’re ready to stabilize you and allow you to begin to recover. We know that part of being a behavioral health leader is to apply and integrate the most current types of therapies and treatments to ensure you are always receiving the highest possible care.
We will tirelessly work to ensure that all of your concerns and struggles are addressed and create a comprehensive treatment plan to address the issues you face and allow you to formulate specific, attainable goals to focus upon. We’ll ensure that your aftercare plan allows for your continuing care and treatment as we know schizophrenia is a life-long condition that requires long-term management.
Treatment Approaches for Schizophrenia at Abilene
At Abilene, we know that the best approach for treatment for schizophrenia involves a combination of medications and behavioral therapies to address your symptoms and work toward your goals. You will work side-by-side with your treatment team to determine the route your treatment will take.
Medication management is the foundation for effective treatment of schizophrenia. While some individuals with schizophrenia may feel reluctant to take their medications as prescribed, many of the newer medications have far less serious side effects than their older counterparts. Medication stabilization will likely be the first step in your recovery from schizophrenia, which will allow you to better participate in your recovery.
Antipsychotics are the most commonly prescribed medication to treat schizophrenia. These medications work by changing the levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Typical antipsychotics, the older type of antipsychotic drugs are no longer used as widely as they have substantial side effects. Atypical antipsychotics are the newer type of antipsychotics and are far better at managing the positive symptoms of schizophrenia and induce less side effects. However, in the event that the newer antipsychotic medications do not work, some may find symptom relief from the typical antipsychotics. In addition to medication, Abilene also offers a number of therapeutic approaches to schizophrenia treatment.
Individual therapy or “talk therapy” will help you work toward ways in which schizophrenia has impacted your life. You’ll work with a therapist to set realistic goals, develop your social skills, improve communication, and discuss adherence to your aftercare plan.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may be useful for those struggling with schizophrenia. CBT seeks to challenge negative thought patterns and replace them with more appropriate and constructive ways of viewing the world.
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) focuses primarily upon resolving emotional and behavioral disturbances to allow you to better lead a happy and fulfilled life.
Group therapy can be a very valuable form of therapy for individuals struggling with schizophrenia. In group, you’ll connect with others facing similar problems and relearn the social skills you may be lacking. This will allow you to improve your interpersonal relationships and emerge a healthier individual.
Family therapy is vital for those who have schizophrenia. During family sessions, we will allow your family to address their feelings about living with someone who has schizophrenia. We will work to educate your loved ones about relapses, medication management, and continuation of therapy so that you’ll have the best support during your recovery.
In addition to traditional therapies, we also offer experiential treatments that help you heal your mind, body, and soul. These may include:
- Yoga therapy
- Spiritual counseling
- Recreational programs
- A.A. and N.A.
- Music therapy
Continuing Care – What Happens Next?
When you and your treatment team have decided that you no longer need the structure of our inpatient program, you will collaborate on an aftercare plan to address your continuing recovery. Many people find that a step-down into our Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) or Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) work well for their needs. Others may discharge to home under the care of our outpatient treatment clinic. If you live far away and wish to participate in our IOP or PHP, we do have a lodge available for you to reside in during treatment.
If you or someone you love is struggling with schizophrenia, please contact the licensed professionals at Abilene Behavioral Health for a free, confidential consultation. We can help decide the next steps to take.