Schizophrenia is an extremely complex neurological condition characterized by a "split mind," a term derived from ancient Greek, where "schizo" means "split" and "phrenia" refers to "mind." It is not a multiple personality disorder, as is mistakenly believed, but a fragmentation of thought and a break with reality. Affected individuals may experience disorganized thinking and speech, visual and auditory hallucinations, and a variety of other symptoms that differ from one individual to another.
Although schizophrenia does not yet have a cure, existing treatments allow those affected to lead relatively normal lives. Medical research is ongoing to discover new treatment options that can help improve symptoms. In recent years, attention has turned to cannabidiol (CBD), a compound extracted from the cannabis plant, which has been shown to have powerful therapeutic effects without producing psychoactive effects.
CBD and schizophrenia: new hope?
Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder, involving numerous interconnected factors that contribute to the onset of symptoms. For this reason, a single treatment cannot be effective in all cases, and a complex and personalized approach is essential. This includes changes in diet and lifestyle, as well as the combined use of supplements and medications. CBD oil, due to its unique properties, is proving to be a valuable supplement that can be integrated with other treatments to manage the symptoms of schizophrenia, although its exact mechanism of action remains unclear.
What is schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is an umbrella term for a group of chronic brain disorders characterized by delusions, hallucinations, difficulty concentrating, and lack of motivation. The condition affects men and women equally, but symptoms usually appear earlier in men, in their teens or early 20s. In contrast, women tend to develop symptoms later, in their late 20s.
Cases of schizophrenia in children under the age of 12 are extremely rare. Although schizophrenia is not a fatal condition, it is associated with other medical problems that, in the long term, can lead to complications such as heart disease or diabetes.
Symptoms of schizophrenia
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Schizophrenia manifests itself through a variety of symptoms, grouped into two main categories:
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Positive symptoms: These are excessive or distorted manifestations of normal functions, often associated with hyperactivity of dopamine in the brain. These include:
- hallucinations: false sensory experiences, such as hearing nonexistent voices, seeing things that are not there, or unexplained tactile sensations.
- delusions: false and irrational beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary.
- disorganized thinking: difficulty thinking clearly and logically, manifested by incoherent speech, jumping from one topic to another, and difficulty following a conversation.
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Negative symptoms: These are a decrease or absence of normal functions, associated with a dopamine deficiency in the frontal lobe of the brain. These include:
- apathy: lack of motivation and initiative.
- Social withdrawal: avoidance of social interactions and isolation.
- alogia: reduction in the quantity and content of speech.
- anhedonia: the inability to feel pleasure.
- Affective flattening: reduced or absent emotional expression.
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Stages of schizophrenia
Schizophrenia manifests itself in three distinct stages:
- Prodromal phase: This is the initial stage, when symptoms are vague and nonspecific, such as depression, anxiety, social isolation, and learning difficulties. Early detection of these symptoms can significantly reduce the severity and progression of schizophrenia.
- Active phase: Symptoms become more severe and obvious, including delusions, hallucinations, and catatonic behavior. This is the phase in which schizophrenia can be diagnosed with certainty.
- Residual phase: In this stage, acute symptoms may begin to subside, but patients are often left with a lack of motivation, low mood, and difficulty concentrating. Treatment in this phase is still necessary, although it focuses more on managing the mood disorders.
Treatment options for schizophrenia
The most effective treatments for schizophrenia are those that approach the condition holistically. These include medication, lifestyle changes, psychiatric care, and group therapy. With appropriate treatment, most symptoms can be reduced or even eliminated, and acute episodes of schizophrenia become less frequent.
However, most of the antipsychotic medications currently available come with side effects, especially in the long term. Among the most common are an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Treatment for schizophrenia may include:
- Lifestyle management
- Dietary changes
- Addiction treatment
- Antipsychotic medication
- Psychiatric therapy
- Group therapy
