Schizophrenia

An estimated 3.7 million Americans have schizophrenia, a chronic brain disorder that requires lifelong care. Helix Neuropsychiatric Center offers complete schizophrenia care for adolescents and adults, including psychiatric assessments and personalized treatment plans. Double board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist Gil Hoftman, MD, PhD, takes a patient-focused approach to stabilize your moods and reduce your risk factors for delusions and hallucinations. Dr. Hoftman also provides educational resources to help you and your loved ones understand a schizophrenia diagnosis. Call the El Segundo, California, office to schedule an evaluation for schizophrenia symptoms for yourself or your child, or book a consultation online today.

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a chronic brain disorder that alters how you feel, think, and act. Those who have schizophrenia can lose touch with reality and face challenges caring for themselves and keeping up with their responsibilities.

The root cause of schizophrenia isn’t well understood, but a person’s brain circuitry, genetic background, and environment contribute to its development. Research also suggests that people with schizophrenia have changes in their central nervous system and brain structure that are visible with neuroimaging studies.

Helix Neuropsychiatric Center specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia in adults and children.

Dr. Hoftman provides advanced psychiatric evaluations, medical exams, and other diagnostic services to assess your mental health. He customizes a care plan using the latest therapeutic strategies to stabilize your moods and improve your long-term brain health.

What are the symptoms of schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia has three symptom domains: those that include delusions and hallucinations and are typically the most prominent, those that affect motivation, emotion, and interest, and those that impact thinking processes.

Delusions

Delusions are beliefs people have that aren’t true or real. For instance, you may believe you’re being followed or watched or that a catastrophic event is about to take place, even though there’s no evidence or proof.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations describe hearing or seeing things that other people don’t. While hallucinations can involve any of the five senses, most people hear voices.

In addition to delusions and hallucinations, people who have schizophrenia may also experience:

• Disorganized thinking and speech
• Unusual agitation
• Poor hygiene skills
• Lack of interest in activities
• Withdrawal from loved ones
• Difficulties sleeping
• Lack of motivation

Some who have unmanaged schizophrenia may also self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, which can intensify their symptoms and increase risk factors for self-harm and suicide.

Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Helix Neuropsychiatric Center if you or your child experience schizophrenia symptoms. You can also schedule a psychosis risk assessment for a teen who experiences unusual changes in their moods or behaviors.

How is schizophrenia treated?

Schizophrenia is a lifelong condition that requires consistent treatment to keep symptoms well-controlled. Helix Neuropsychiatric Center offers personalized care plans for adults and adolescents who have schizophrenia and those at increased risk for psychotic episodes.

Dr. Hoftman can prescribe antipsychotic medications that work on the serotonin and dopamine receptors of the brain to stabilize moods and thought processes.

Helix Neuropsychiatric Center also offers psychotherapy services for individuals and families to help everyone cope with the challenges of schizophrenia. Call the office to schedule a diagnostic evaluation, or book a consultation online today.