Schizophrenia

When schizophrenia strikes, Adventist Health is here to provide comprehensive treatment options for every individual suffering from this debilitating disease.

Schizophrenia is a serious and challenging medical illness that affects more than 2 million adults in the U.S. It often interferes with a person's ability to think clearly, distinguish reality from fantasy, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. Although it is often feared and misunderstood, schizophrenia is a treatable mental condition.

The first signs of schizophrenia typically emerge during the teenage years or early 20s, often later for females. Most people with schizophrenia deal with the illness chronically throughout their lives and are often stigmatized by lack of public understanding about the disease. It is not caused by bad parenting or personal weakness. People with schizophrenia do not have a split personality and are generally not dangerous or violent toward others while they are receiving treatment.

Symptoms of schizophrenia include:

• Delusions
• Hallucinations (hearing, feeling, seeing, smelling or tasting things that aren't present)
• Disorganized speech
• Grossly disorganized behavior
• Non-expressiveness
• Inability to speak or a refusal to speak
• Paranoia
• Immobility

When several of the symptoms of schizophrenia occur at the same time, last longer than two weeks and interfere with normal function, social activities or relationships with others, professional treatment is needed.

If you feel the above situation describes you, call (818) 409-8347 to speak to one of our trained mental health professionals.