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Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects the patient’s emotions, thoughts, perceptions, language and his or her interaction with others. Schizophrenia is a very painful disease that steals one’s ability for logical thinking and most of the patients would appreciate problems in their thinking process but fail to understand the exact reason behind it.
Hence, many times these patients become suspicious of those who are trying to help them and they may move to a stage of depression and anxiety.With proper treatment the symptoms of schizophrenia can be addressed and the patient would be able to lead a normal life. However, schizophrenia should be treated as early as possible, as it helps to boost the recovery process and avoids unnecessary complications.
Even though there are medications for schizophrenia, but most of them only reduce the symptoms associated with the disorder and won’t cure the disorder. Moreover, medications may also leads to side effects such as weight gain, drowsiness, sexual dysfunction, lack of energy etc. However, there are some alternative treatments to schizophrenia and these treatments would boost the patient’s recovery.
Apart from medication, patients require individualized therapy. Personal therapy teach patients to challenge delusional beliefs, protect oneself against relapse, ignore voices in head, recognize and respond properly to the arousing stimuli and keep oneself motivated. Personal therapy also helps to set meaningful goals and avoid undue stress.
Glycine is an amino acid that can boost the activity of certain neurotransmitters at NMDA receptors. NMDA receptor is a type of glutamate receptor in brain and any dysfunction of this receptor leads to brain atrophy and disordered synapses.
Even though glycine therapy leads to vomiting and nausea, it is found to be safe and produce good results in association with antipsychotic medication.
Development of free radicals in the brain is considered as a possible cause of schizophrenia development. This is because oxidative stress and schizophrenia have a close correlation, hence experts recommend that an increased intake of antioxidant vitamins produces a positive impact on the control of schizophrenia.
Antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E, alpha lipoic acid and vitamin C are highly beneficial for treating schizophrenia.
Omega 3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats, obtained mainly from cold water fish. There are two types of omega 3 fish oils, EPA and DHA. Among these EPA is found to be beneficial for treating schizophrenia and many patients have reported a 25% reduction in their symptoms after taking EPA rich fish oil supplements.
Electro-Convulsive Therapy is used as a last resort to treat schizophrenia during which an electric current is applied to the brain through the scalp and thereby inducing a seizure. It is conjectured that ECT releases more neurotransmitters or heightens the response of post synaptic receptors towards brain chemicals.
Complete cure of schizophrenia will not happen overnight, as it requires time, support, commitment and the right treatment. Vital factor in the recovery from this disease is the support the patient gets from his/her family and friends. Moreover, the patient should follow a healthy lifestyle that involves regular exercises, plenty of sleep, stress regulation and a well-balanced diet and should desist from alcohol, drugs and smoking.
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