At Crownview Psychiatric Institute, we are committed to helping adults whose lives have been disrupted by acute symptoms of complex mental health concerns such as schizophrenia.

Our center is a safe and supportive place for clients who have had difficulty finding their place in society, as well as those who have not responded well to previous treatment experiences.

A client’s personalized care at Crownview may include medication, therapy, adjunct services, educational opportunities, and wraparound support.

In addition to learning how to manage the symptoms of schizophrenia, our clients also develop important life, work, communication, and socialization skills. Every step of the way, they are guided and supported by a team of dedicated professionals who truly care about them as unique and valuable individuals.

What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental health disorder that negatively affects how a person perceives their environment and interacts with others. According to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), schizophrenia can cause the following five types of symptoms.

  1. Delusions
  2. Hallucinations
  3. Disorganized speech
  4. Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior
  5. Negative symptoms

To be accurately diagnosed with schizophrenia, a person must have symptoms from at least two of the categories above. At least one of the categories must be delusions, hallucinations, or disorganized speech.

The DSM-5 also notes that a person must exhibit these symptoms “for a significant portion of time” over a period of at least 30 days. The symptoms must also be severe enough to impair the person’s ability to function in one or more areas of their life.

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

As noted in the previous section, schizophrenia is characterized by five types of symptoms. Here are examples of how a person who has each of these symptom types might feel or act:

Delusions

Delusions are fervent, rigid beliefs that have no basis in reality. One example of a delusion is believing that you are being monitored or controlled by government agencies or some other external force. Another example is being convinced that you have certain magical powers or that someone famous (who you have never met) is in love with you.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations occur when a person senses or perceives something that does not exist. The most common types of hallucinations are auditory (hearing voices or other sounds) and visual (seeing people, objects, or light patterns). People who have hallucinations will believe that what they are seeing and hearing are real.

Disorganized speech

Disorganized speech can include incoherent speaking patterns, jumping from topic to topic with no logical progression, and repeating words over and over again. A person with disorganized speech might respond to a question by talking at length about a completely unrelated topic. They may also use words that have no meaning to anyone but them.

Grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior

This can include dressing in an extremely odd manner, moving one’s body in strange ways, standing in an unusual position, and remaining motionless for an extended period. Sadly, people who demonstrate disorganized behavior are often mocked, ridiculed, and ostracized because of these symptoms.

Negative symptoms

This category is characterized by a lack of action and motivation. People who have negative symptoms might speak in a flat, monotone voice and demonstrate little to no facial expressiveness. They might also have no interest in associating with other people, forming relationships, or even leaving their house.

Potential Effects of Untreated Schizophrenia

The symptoms of schizophrenia can be sources of considerable distress. If a person doesn’t get proper professional care, they may experience several negative effects, such as the following:

  • Having few or no friends
  • Being harassed, bullied, conned, or otherwise victimized
  • Being unable to find and keep a job
  • Developing co-occurring mental health conditions
  • Abusing substances
  • Developing medical problems due to impulsive behaviors or insufficient self-care
  • Becoming dependent on others for basic necessities of life
  • Withdrawing from family and friends to the point of isolation

Schizophrenia doesn’t only impact the quality of a person’s life. It can also limit its length:

Treatment for Schizophrenia at CPI

At Crownview Psychiatric Institute, adults who have schizophrenia receive personalized treatment to address the psychological and social impact that these disorders can have. Care at our center typically involves medication, therapy, adjunct services, education, and wraparound support.

Medication

Antipsychotic medications are often a valuable component of treatment for schizophrenia. Each CPI client meets with a psychiatrist on a regular basis. This professional can prescribe medication, monitor the client’s progress, and make any adjustments as needed.

Therapy

Our team is experienced with a wide range of evidence-based therapies. Depending on the full scope of a client’s needs, including any co-occurring concerns, they may participate in several types of therapy, including the following:

  • Individual therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
  • Acceptance & commitment therapy (ACT)

Adjunct Services

When appropriate, we can supplement a client’s therapy with a variety of adjunct services. This may include GeneSight testing, psychological testing, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) therapy, Spravato treatment, and several other options.

Education

The educational component of treatment at Crownview Psychiatric Institute focuses on the development and improvement of fundamental life and work skills.

  • During life skills sessions, clients receive focused guidance to improve their capabilities in areas such as personal hygiene, housekeeping, diet and nutrition, time management, and household finances.
  • Work skills sessions are designed to help clients find and keep a job. Activities include exploring job options, employment workshops, mock interviews, and personal coaching.

Wraparound Support

Every CPI client works with an experienced case manager. This professional’s responsibilities include coordinating the client’s care, communicating with their family members, and helping them with needs such as applying for benefits and accessing community-based support services.

Community & Connection

The symptoms of schizophrenia can cause people to become withdrawn and isolated. By the time new clients arrive at our center, many of them have abandoned hope of ever finding a place where they truly fit in.

At Crownview Psychiatric Institute, they find a place where they are welcomed and accepted.

With our guidance, clients improve their ability to function within the context of a supportive community. They develop better communication and socialization skills. They also learn how to form healthy friendships and share support with others who are receiving care here.

We understand that every person who is entrusted to our care has unique needs, goals, and capabilities. We also realize that many of our clients have had similar experiences and are working toward common objectives. This dynamic combination of personalized treatment and shared development is one of the many features that make our center such as special place.

Learn More Today

To learn more about our programming for adults who have schizophrenia, please contact us at your convenience. A member of our team will be happy to provide you with the answers you need, so that you can make the most informed decision for your loved one.