Schizophrenia

People with schizophrenia need lifelong treatment to help keep their symptoms under control and often prevent debilitating complications. At Precise Research Centers in Flowood, Mississippi, Joseph Kwentus, MD, patients enter clinical trials for what may become the newest, most effective treatments for schizophrenia. Call today to learn how you or a loved one can enroll as a volunteer or fill out the online form on this website.

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects your behavior, thoughts, and feelings. People with schizophrenia often have a distorted view of reality, causing distress for themselves, their families, and friends. 

Untreated schizophrenia can make it hard for you to participate in everyday activities. With effective treatment, however, someone with schizophrenia can often achieve independence, participate in meaningful work and schooling, and enjoy personal relationships. 

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Not everyone experiences schizophrenia the same way. Usually, symptoms fall into three categories:

Psychotic symptoms

These may include hallucinations and delusions. Schizophrenia can also cause thought disorders, which means a way of thinking that’s illogical or unusual. They may seem disoriented and jump from topic to topic for no reason. 

Schizophrenia can also cause movement disorders in which you make certain movements over and over. 

Negative symptoms

These include a loss of motivation, withdrawal from social life, and difficulty functioning normally.

Someone with schizophrenia may have trouble sticking with simple activities like grocery shopping. They may talk in a monotone voice and have limited facial expressions. Often, they have low energy and avoid social interactions. 

Cognitive symptoms

Schizophrenia can show up as attention and concentration problems. You may have trouble learning new things, remembering appointments, or following a conversation. 

Who is at risk of developing schizophrenia?

Certain genes may increase the risk of schizophrenia, but it’s not caused by one gene. The condition sometimes runs in families. 

Environment and life experiences can also play a role in the development of schizophrenia. Living in poverty, being exposed to viruses, or having nutritional deficiencies are possible contributors to the development of the condition.

People with schizophrenia also have differences in the size of certain brain areas and the connections between specific brain areas. 

None of these factors guarantees that you’ll develop schizophrenia, however. 

What are the treatment options for schizophrenia?

Dr. Kwentus and his team often head up clinical trials for new medications to help control symptoms of schizophrenia. These include antipsychotic medications that help make symptoms less severe. 

When combined with other treatments, like cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral skills training, family education, and supported employment, someone with schizophrenia can live a normal life. 

To find out about clinical trials now enrolling for schizophrenia, call Precise Research Centers or fill out the online form.