• News & Events
    • Events
    • In the Media
    • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services
    • Behavioral Health Services
    • Advocacy
    • Helpful Tips
  • Jobs
  • Volunteers
    • Internship
  • Support Us
  • Aging Services
    • Center at Journey’s Way
      • Health & Wellness
      • Learning & Personal Growth
      • Caring Support
      • Social Connections
      • Ways to Volunteer
      • For Members
      • Journey’s Way Newsletters
      • Journey’s Way Calendars
    • Geriatric Counseling
    • Housing Services
      • Housing Counseling
      • Housing Options
  • IDD Services
    • Residential Programs
      • Community Homes
      • Life Sharing Opportunities
    • Employment Support
  • Behavioral Health
    • Greenridge Counseling Center
      • Adult Outpatient
      • Children Outpatient
      • Evaluation and Therapy
    • Residential Services
    • Blended Case Management
  • About
    • About Interact
      • Our Mission
      • Our Leadership
      • Senior Staff
  • Contact
    • Contact
      Aging Services
    • Contact
      Behavioral Health
    • Contact
      IDD Services

Interact with Us: What is Schizophrenia?

June 18, 2018 by Jim Smith in Advocacy, Behavioral Health Services, Helpful Tips
Interact with Us: What is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness characterized by patterns of thinking, behaving, and feeling that results in difficulty achieving previous levels of functioning in important aspects of an individual’s life (e.g. work, interpersonal relationships, academics, self-care, etc.). The development of schizophrenia is impacted by the environment (e.g. medical illness, substance use) an individual’s genetics, and physiology with symptom onset generally occurring between 20 and 30 years of age for males and females.

Signs and Symptoms
When hearing the disorder “schizophrenia” certain stereotypes may come to mind, but the truth is that symptoms of schizophrenia can vary. There are three major symptom categories: positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. It is important to note that a person experiencing the following symptoms may or may not be aware of them because they certainly feel real to them (e.g. a person that is hearing or seeing things that aren’t there may or may not know what is truly happening in their environment). This can pose challenges when addressing concerns with loved ones and is a primary reason that talking to someone about their symptoms or attending treatment should be done in a gentle and non-critical way. It can be helpful to acknowledge that everyone can see things in their own way, and remembering that this is an illness.

Positive Symptoms
* Hallucinations, which are sensory experiences (e.g. hearing, seeing, smelling) that other people are not experiencing. E.g. Hearing familiar or unfamiliar voices, smelling intense scents, etc.
* Delusions, which are strong beliefs that a person continues to endorse despite new ideas or facts. Due to the strength of these beliefs, it can generate a lot of emotion when these beliefs are brought into question. Additionally, these beliefs can make it difficult to concentrate, leading to confusion.
* Unusual thought patterns
* Conversations can be difficult to follow
* Use of made up words
* Psychomotor agitation

Negative Symptoms
* Flat voice
* Restricted or few facial expressions
* Reduced speaking
* Difficulty sustaining relationships or participating in activities
* Generally appearing disconnected

Cognitive Symptoms
* Difficulty with memory, concentration, and/or decision making
* Challenges with organizing and expressing thoughts
* Reduced ability to complete tasks
* Lack of insight about the presence of illness, or anosognosia

Treatment
Treatments for schizophrenia continues to improve over time. Currently, research supports a combination of medication and psychotherapy as best practice, as neither is found to be as effective alone; furthermore, psychosocial interventions, or programs that help support an individual adjust to life in recovery are recommended (e.g. case management services, family involvement in treatment). Through these interventions, individuals receive: education on schizophrenia and its treatment, assistance in learning problem solving and coping skills, emotional support, with the goal of preventing relapse, and improving problematic thinking and daily functioning. A leading form of therapy in treating schizophrenia is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) which helps to identify relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to achieve the goals stated above. The course of treatment for this condition is individualized and can depend on symptom severity and duration, among other factors.

If you feel that you or someone you know is struggling with schizophrenia, there is help available. There are many resources available to assist in the process of support and problem-solving for you and your loved one, including professional counseling. Call (215) 487-1330 or email us at Greenridge@intercommunityaction.org for more information about our counseling services, which include one-on-one therapy with a trained clinician.

Author: Erin Hopkins Stern, M.A.

References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Chien, W. T., & Yip, A. K. (2013). Current approaches to treatments for schizophrenia spectrum disorders, part I: An overview and medical treatments. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 9
National Alliance on Mental Illness (n.d.) Schizophrenia. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Schizophrenia
National Institute of Mental Health (2016). What is schizophrenia. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/index.shtml
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (2018). Schizophrenia. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/treatment/mental-health-disorders/schizophrenia

Tweet
Share
Pin it
Previous StoryPRODUCE VOUCHERS AVAILABLE JUNE 25TH Next StoryJourney’s Way hosts AARP Smart Driver Course

Categories

  • Advocacy
  • Aging Services
  • Behavioral Health Services
  • Events
  • Helpful Tips
  • In the Media
  • Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services
  • Jobs
  • Journey's Way Events
  • Journey's Way Newsletters
  • Success Stories
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • May 2025
  • April 2025
  • March 2025
  • February 2025
  • January 2025
  • December 2024
  • August 2024
  • June 2024
  • March 2024
  • July 2023
  • February 2023
  • October 2022
  • August 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • February 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • April 2015
  • February 2015

Mission

Interact helps people live fulfilling lives by providing resources for aging, behavioral health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Vision

Everyone deserves a fulfilling life.

Connect with Interact

Connect with Journey's Way

Contact Us

Email info@intercommunityaction.org or use the contact information or online forms.

No Surprises Act | Privacy Policies

© 2025 Intercommunity Action, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.

Web Design by Vance Bell, Pixel Engine