Schizophrenia Treatment San Diego
Schizophrenia is a lifelong mental health disorder that impacts how an individual interprets what is real. This condition can cause delusional experiences, hallucinations, and compromised thinking. Treatment for schizophrenia is available, with a range of care options to help individuals with this mental health issue manage symptoms and live more balanced lives.
We offer schizophrenia treatment through our acute inpatient psychiatric hospital care and with outpatient services. Both inpatient and outpatient schizophrenia treatment are available at our La Mesa location, and outpatient treatment is offered in San Diego and El Cajon.
How Schizophrenia Is Diagnosed
Diagnosing schizophrenia correctly can be difficult. The wide variety of schizophrenia symptoms and subtypes contributes to the challenge of accurate diagnosis. Also, schizophrenia has similarities to other mental health disorders, which can lead to difficulties in correctly diagnosing this condition.
Monitoring for schizophrenia symptoms can be used to diagnose the disorder. Schizophrenia symptoms are categorized into three areas: cognitive, negative, and positive. Most patients will need to be monitored closely over an extended period to help ensure proper diagnosis and course of treatment.
For those with schizophrenia, the first five years of psychosis is considered a high-risk time. The earlier schizophrenia is diagnosed, the better the chances are for a successful, long-term recovery.
Schizophrenia Symptoms
The first symptoms of schizophrenia usually appear in late adolescence or early adulthood.
Cognitive Symptoms
People with schizophrenia often have lapses in memory, wild mood swings, and poor judgment. They also may suffer from anosognosia, which is an inability to recognize their own symptoms.
Positive Symptoms
These are abnormal behaviors and thought patterns such as delusional beliefs, auditory or visual hallucinations, and unpredictable or agitated body movements.
Negative Symptoms
Often mistaken for clinical depression, these symptoms indicate a diminished ability to think or act as expected. Examples include lethargy, speechlessness, or a lack of emotional expression.
Schizophrenia Treatment
Schizophrenia treatment often includes medication, psychotherapy, and group sessions. At API, we take a personalized and evidence-backed approach to treating schizophrenia. Medication, psychotherapy, and group sessions are each treatment modalities we employ. Both inpatient hospitalization services and outpatient care are offered.
Medication
Antipsychotic medications are used to reduce hallucinations and delusions, as well as to help patients regulate their emotions. Pinpointing the exact medication that will alleviate symptoms effectively without causing major side effects can be difficult as treatment begins. Our healthcare team provides medication management and observation to help identify how medication can be used to benefit individuals.
Psychotherapy
After the most severe symptoms of schizophrenia have been controlled with medication, our treatment approach incorporates one-on-one counseling sessions with a psychotherapist. This is to help individuals identify unhealthy thoughts and behaviors and develop strategies to overcome them. Therapy can also be a way to assist individuals in learning how to recognize warning signs of psychotic episodes and how to cope with the daily challenges of living with schizophrenia.
Group Sessions
We offer group sessions focused on symptom management, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) skills. Our team also offers group sessions to support life skills, self-advocacy, communication, and the building of social support in the community. We also offer groups on ways to build motivation, barriers to mental health recovery, and building insight into protective factors.
On occasion, a weekly relapse prevention group focused on harm reduction strategies is held for those struggling with substance abuse/use.
Examples of group session topics presented by API include:
- Anger management
- Building your coping toolkit
- Coping with anxiety
- Combatting negative thoughts (CBT skills training)
- Emotion regulation (DBT skills training)
- Embracing new activities
- Expanding social connections
- Managing signs and symptoms of depression
- Mental health awareness
- Sharing coping success
- Symptom management
Acute Inpatient Treatment
Because the symptoms of schizophrenia can significantly impede day-to-day functioning, acute inpatient treatment is often recommended. Acute inpatient treatment allows patients to receive intensive care under close medical and psychiatric supervision meant to ensure their safety and prioritize their health.
Our acute inpatient schizophrenia treatment is provided at our psychiatric hospital in La Mesa.
Outpatient Treatment
We offer outpatient treatment for those whose schizophrenia symptoms can be appropriately treated without the intensity of acute inpatient hospitalization. These outpatient services are provided in San Diego, La Mesa, and El Cajon.
Treatment for Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorders, and Psychosis
Alvarado Parkway Institute (API) uses an integrative treatment model, blending different levels of support to help those with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and psychosis. Those receiving treatment are around others with psychotic symptoms of varying degrees, whether diagnosed with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or psychosis.
Schizoaffective disorders involve schizophrenic and mood disorder symptoms. For example, an individual with schizoaffective disorder may experience delusions and depression. Psychosis is a condition that disrupts recognition of what is real and what is not. Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder.
Schizophrenia Q and A
What is the difference between schizophrenia and psychosis?
Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder characterized by various symptoms, including psychosis. Psychosis is a disconnect from reality and a symptom of multiple mental health disorders.
Is schizophrenia the same as manic depression?
No, though schizophrenia and manic depression display similar symptoms. Schizophrenia affects an individual’s perception of reality. Manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder, involves “high” periods known as mania and periods of major depression.
What should I do if I have schizophrenia symptoms, such as seeing and hearing things that others do not?
If you experience symptoms of schizophrenia, reach out for support. Resources are available for evidence-based care, and treatment can make significant differences in day-to-day living.
What should I do if someone I know is struggling with schizophrenia?
Call 9-1-1 or local emergency services if someone is displaying aggressive or potentially harmful behavior.
It may be helpful to speak calmly and give validation to an individual struggling with schizophrenia. You may also want to offer help and recommend seeking out professional treatment.
Resources for Schizophrenia from API
API has a team of reputable, experienced professionals with resources for treating schizophrenia in La Mesa, El Cajon, and San Diego. Our approach is to provide personalized treatment, drawing on medication, psychotherapy, and education as options to help individuals manage schizophrenia and live with increased independence.
If you or a loved one could benefit from schizophrenia treatment, please call our team at (619) 333-7050.
