Schizophrenia Treatment, Rehabilitation & Recovery Services

Contrary to popular belief, schizophrenia is not a 'split personality'. However, people with schizophrenia may have perceptions of reality that are extremely different from those shared by others around them. They often suffer the distressing symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hearing voices not heard by others, or believing that other people are reading their minds, controlling their thoughts, or plotting to harm them.

However, with the right schizophrenia treatment (therapy, medication and professional support) many people with the condition can take control of their lives and reduce their symptoms. At The Causeway Retreat our modern approach to schizophrenia treatment uses a range of techniques, from cognitive behavioural therapy, to medications recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Although a serious condition, schizophrenia is relatively common. One in every hundred people will experience it at some stage in their life, often as a relatively short schizophrenic episode (also known as a psychotic episode).

Psychosis is when a person isn't able to distinguish between reality and their own imagination. Even those who have several psychotic episodes tend to live fairly normal lives in between.

However, recurring, or chronic, schizophrenia usually prevents normal functioning and requires long-term treatment. Schizophrenia can be especially difficult for family members who remember how different their loved one was before they became ill.

The first symptoms of schizophrenia often appear as confusing or shocking changes in behaviour, or severe psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions. General schizophrenia symptoms include:

• Hallucinations. These can manifest themselves via any of the five senses, but hearing voices is the most common schizophrenia symptom.
• Delusions. This is when a person believes their own imagination. For example, sufferers may believe that they are a particular historical figure, or that they are being pursued by secret agents.
• Muddled thoughts. Sufferers often complain of feeling that their thoughts are being "removed" or that their thoughts are not actually their own.
• Erratic and irrational behaviour. Friends and family may notice sudden and shocking changes, including non-responsiveness, extreme irritability and unpredictable behaviour.
• Apathy and a lack of emotion. Many people with schizophrenia display so-called "negative symptoms", such as chronic fatigue, an inability to engage emotionally and a reluctance to interact with other people. These type of symptoms of schizophrenia often pre-date a more severe psychotic episode in future.

Schizophrenia causes are as yet unknown, but great strides have been made in recent years towards understanding this troubling illness. It is believed that every individual has a certain vulnerability to schizophrenia, triggered through different levels of stress. Our schizophrenia programme takes a holistic approach to treating the condition and understanding how it affects sufferers and their families.

Treating Schizophrenia at The Causeway Retreat

The General Psychiatry team at The Causeway Retreat are specialists in the treatment of a range of mental health conditions including schizophrenia. We use techniques for schizophrenia treatment in conjunction with a range of therapies, including personalised nutrition and exercise programmes, outdoor activities and acupuncture.

We believe that this complex and serious mental illness is best treated in a relaxed and therapeutic environment. The Causeway Retreat is private, serene and above all discreet. It's the perfect place to begin your schizophrenia rehabilitation or to help a loved one receive treatment from our leading psychiatric experts.

Contact us to find out more about starting your schizophrenia treatment at The Causeway Retreat.