Schizophrenias are very serious mental disorders. For sufferers, it makes it practically impossible to have a normal quality of life. Keeping a job, sustaining personal relationships, and coping with stress all contribute to abject misery for them and their loved ones. Help is absolutely vital. But, the first problem is to diagnose the schizophrenia for what it is, so the best treatment plan can be set in motion. For example, one form of the mental health disorder is catatonic schizophrenia.
For people who live with someone who has schizophrenia, it is like walking on egg shells. No matter how lightly you walk, you know those shells are going to break. It is only a matter of time. The same can be said of this disease, you know change is coming. You just do not know when it will occur.
Please Define
For people with catatonic schizophrenia, the pendulum swings as far as it can go, both ways. According to the Mayo clinic, “catatonic schizophrenia includes extremes of behavior. At one extreme of catatonic schizophrenia, you’re unable to speak, move or respond. At the other, you have overexcited or hyperactive motion and you may involuntarily imitate sounds or movements of others”.
How you can Help
Catatonic schizophrenia can be a scary mental illness, to say the least. It is extremely important that you attempt to talk to your loved one. You cannot force someone to get help, but maybe he/she receptive to frank conversation and seek help. However, if you find someone in the catatonic state, call an ambulance. At this point, medical help is necessary.
While this state of schizophrenia can last a few hours, it may also take weeks to return to the hyperactive stage. It will make it difficult, if not impossible to care for your loved one. Hospitalization may be necessary, so you will have to find out the involuntary commitment laws for the particular state in which you live.
Are you Sure?
As mentioned before, catatonic schizophrenia is a mental disorder of extremes. One moment your loved one may seem to bounce of the walls. By the time you turn around he/she is unable to move or speak. If moved, the person may stay in that same position for hours. He/she may behave very strangely and do things that do not make any sense. In fact, it may seem like you are hanging out with a parrot, as everything that is said will be mimicked.
According to the Mayo Clinic, these other symptoms of catatonic schizophrenia may also become apparent:
- Having beliefs not based on reality (delusions)
- Seeing or hearing things that don’t exist (hallucinations), especially voices
- Incoherent speech
- Neglect of personal hygiene
- Lack of emotions
- Emotions inappropriate to the situation
- Angry outbursts
- Trouble functioning at school or work
- Social isolation
- Clumsy, uncoordinated movements
Although you may not be able to tell for sure, if your loved one has this particular mental disorder, a health care professional can find the answers and recommend a treatment program.
Catatonic Schizophrenia Treatment Options
Once your loved one has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, the treatment is similar to the options given to patients of most of the types of schizophrenia. However, it will not progress without challenges. Unfortunately, it will require lifelong care. So, when the individual seems better, he/she may think a cure has been affected, and further treatment may appear futile.
But, to be totally affective, leading to a more normal quality of life, the following treatments will all be considered as part of the overall therapy program:
- Medications
- Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
- Hospitalization
- Psychotherapy
- Vocational skills training
Your loved one will likely need some combination of the 5 treatments. However, it will depend on the severity of his/her symptoms.
Coping with Catatonic Schizophrenia
Most importantly, it is necessary to take medication as prescribed. However, before taking any other medicine, be sure to check and make sure it will not interact adversely and cause a setback. Avoid the activities that might be setting off the catatonic episodes. Stay away from alcohol, and do what you can to recognize the warning signs of impending changes.
It will also be helpful to learn all you can about the mental disorder. Joining a support group can be extremely helpful for everyone involved. Learn healthy ways to relieve stress and channel all of the energy that precedes the catatonic state. Being organized and regimented in your activities can also be very helpful.
In short, catatonic schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that will require lifelong care. With a combination of treatment options, it can be possible to lead a more normal and happily productive life. But, it is very important to continue treatment, even when it seems like a cure has been discovered. Learning to live with catatonic schizophrenia is possible.