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1
I am suffering from SCHIZOPHRENIA since last 15 years and I am currently undergoing treatment for the same. Right now my condition is quite stable, but I am looking out for something natural and without side effects. Can I start Homeopathy? And if I start Homeopathic treatment, do I need to discontinue my medicines?
You can start Homeopathic treatment, no matter for how many years you are suffering from Schizophrenia or taking medicines.
Homeopathic medicines start acting on the body immediately on starting the treatment. But since you have been taking other medicines for a long time now, it is not advisable to stop them right away.
On stopping the other medicines, it is possible that the disease returns with a higher intensity. Along with parallel homeopathic treatment, you can gradually taper off doses of your other medicinse under the guidance of your expert homeopathic physician. Eventually, you can discontinue your other medicines.
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2
My husband, 35 years old, was diagnosed with Schizophrenia 6 months back. I really don't know what to do. We have two young children too. How should we deal with him?
Living with a schizophrenic is definitely difficult. Family relations become strained and there is always some degree of tension inside the house. But patience and a good understanding is the only key to deal with a schizophrenic. You can do the following things:
- Watch out for a forthcoming episode of Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia will not occur instantly. There will be subtle changes in behavior, thoughts and emotions that need to be looked out for, so as to keep the situation in hand and avoiding any unpleasant events.
- Communicate in a very effective way. Always be polite and keep conversations to the point.
- Listen patiently, give the required attention and love to the patient.
- Play along with the hallucinations if only practical. It may give him a certain sense of control of the situation. Let him know, that someone understands him.
- Keep contact numbers, addresses of healthcare professionals, and mental health workers very handy for any emergency situations.
- Stay calm.
- Don't try to reason out with the patient about his delusion, he will not understand, but only get frustrated.
- Don't scream and panic. It will only agitate him.
- Do not threaten the patient or beat him.
- Do not leave the patient alone.
Sit with your children and explain in a very easy understandable language that their father is suffering from some disease. Tell them that he is sick and we need to take care of him. Effective communication with your children will be very helpful and they can also play a major role in supporting you in your dealing with your husband.
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3
Is Schizophrenia preventable?
Since the causative factor is unknown, Schizophrenia cannot be entirely prevented from happening. It can happen to anyone at any time. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to prevent relapses.
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4
Is there any particular diet that needs to be followed in Schizophrenia?
There is no particular diet that needs to be followed in cases of Schizophrenia. However it is better to avoid dairy products, sugar and gluten-rich diet like wheat, refined flour, etc.
Fresh vegetables, fruits and salads provide enough vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants which are good for the brain. However, it serves well to make sure that immunity is maintained and even made better, by following a healthy balanced diet.
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5
What happens if the homeopathic treatment is discontinued?
To get the best results and to make sure the disease does not relapse, homeopathic treatment should be undertaken for its required course as advised by your doctor.
However, under any circumstances, where homeopathic treatment may have to be discontinued, do not worry of any unwanted side effects. Of course, relapses are possible, which is true regardless of any medicine. But with Homeopathy, the intensity of these relapses will be very less and infrequent.
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6
How does Homeopathy work in Schizophrenia?
Homeopathy works on the individual in the most natural way. By acting upon all the aspects, which is mind, body and spirit, it restores the life force of the body. Perfectly chosen homeopathic medicines help to reduce delusions and hallucinations. Homeopathy helps to provide a happy, healthy, constructive, productive and an independent life and it also helps in treating the anxiety or depression resulting from the disease. Homeopathy treats holistically in a very subtle, safe way and removes the disease right from its roots.
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7
Aren't there any safer and permanent ways to deal with Schizophrenia?
First of all, one needs to be realistic about Schizophrenia. While it can be treated, chances of relapses are definitely possible.
But since conventional medicines would be required for a very long time, Homeopathy is definitely a much safer and a better option. Homeopathic medicines do not produce any major, troubling side effects or any side effects. It helps to treat the root cause of the disease along with symptoms.
Homeopathy is a system of medicine which treats the disease in the gentlest way and makes sure that immunity of the patient is strengthened. With homeopathic medicines, the intensity, duration and frequency of the symptoms definitely reduce a lot.
We have hundreds of medicines that work in Schizophrenia and its symptoms like delusions and hallucinations. Homeopathic medicines like Belladonna, Anacardium, Stramonium, Hyosyamus, Lachesis etc. are very effective in Schizophrenia.
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8
Will he need to take medicines for the rest of his life?
Along with medical treatment, psycho-social interventions are helpful too. These interventions include:
Illness management: Your son can be taught about basic facts about treatment for Schizophrenia. He may be still in a phase of denial. You can help him to identify his troubles and symptoms and assure him that his family is with him and supporting him throughout his problems. Identifying early signs and learning to take an action to respond and prevent relapses.
Treatment for co-occurring substance abuse: Management of addictions works in a complimentary manner in treatment for Schizophrenia.
Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation programs done by social and vocational training, can help schizophrenics function better in their daily life.
Family education: Family members must learn about coping strategies and problem-solving skills. They should always show the love, care and affection what patient deserves and should make a point to sit with him and listen to what he wants to say.
Cognitive behavioral therapy: This type of psychotherapy focuses on thinking and behavior. The therapist teaches people with Schizophrenia how to check the reality of their thoughts, how to "not listen" to their voices, and how to manage their symptoms in general.
Self-help groups: Self-help groups' members support and comfort each other. People in self-help groups know that others are facing the same problems, and that he/she is not alone.
Conventional line of treatment prescribes only on the basis of symptoms and hence, so long as the symptoms occur, medicines continue.
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9
My 21 year-old son was diagnosed with Schizophrenia a year back. He had succumbed to some obnoxious company while in college, and regularly "did drugs". He is currently on medication. What else can we do about it apart from medicines?
Along with medical treatment, psycho-social interventions are helpful too. These interventions include:
Illness management: Your son can be taught about basic facts about treatment for Schizophrenia. He may be still in a phase of denial. You can help him to identify his troubles and symptoms and assure him that his family is with him and supporting him throughout his problems. Identifying early signs and learning to take an action to respond and prevent relapses.
Treatment for co-occurring substance abuse: Management of addictions works in a complimentary manner in treatment for Schizophrenia.
Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation programs done by social and vocational training, can help schizophrenics function better in their daily life.
Family education: Family members must learn about coping strategies and problem-solving skills. They should always show the love, care and affection what patient deserves and should make a point to sit with him and listen to what he wants to say.
Cognitive behavioral therapy: This type of psychotherapy focuses on thinking and behavior. The therapist teaches people with Schizophrenia how to check the reality of their thoughts, how to "not listen" to their voices, and how to manage their symptoms in general.
Self-help groups: Self-help groups' members support and comfort each other. People in self-help groups know that others are facing the same problems, and that he/she is not alone.
Conventional line of treatment prescribes only on the basis of symptoms and hence, so long as the symptoms occur, medicines continue.
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10
Can Schizophrenia be treated?
Yes, it can be treated symptomatically. But, there is no absolute treatment for Schizophrenia. Symptomatic treatments are undertaken which include medicines to deal with the symptoms of Schizophrenia. These medications include anti-psychotic medicines, mood stabilizers or anti depressants as single medicines or in combinations. The medicines however have many side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, rigidity, persistent muscle spasms, tremors and restlessness, etc. in the long run. There is a risk of developing an addictive disorder from these drugs too.
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11
Are there any possible risk factors that may lead to Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia can happen to anyone. The risk of developing Schizophrenia is around 1 in 100. Since the exact cause of Schizophrenia is not known, certain factors seem to increase the risk of developing or triggering it.
- Family history of Schizophrenia
- Exposure to viruses, toxins or malnutrition while in the womb, particularly in the first and second trimesters.
- Immunity problems, such as from inflammation or autoimmune diseases.
- Child having a father of a very old age is at high risk of developing Schizophrenia.
- Mind-altering drugs during teen years and young adulthood.
- Age Group- Early teens to mid-twenties in men and mid-twenties to early thirties in women.
