Preferred Columbus, OH, Treatment Center for Schizophrenia, Treating Symptoms & Side Effects

What Is Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that impacts an individual’s ability to remain grounded in reality. The disorder involves episodes of hallucinations in which a person may hear or see things that aren’t truly there. In addition, individuals who suffer from schizophrenia may adhere to delusions or delusional (false) beliefs. This harrowing experience can prevent an individual from attending to the responsibilities of daily living and leading an otherwise independent life. Though symptoms of schizophrenia are severe, they can be managed with proper treatment. The specialized programming at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health can set you, your patient, or your loved one on the path to recovery from schizophrenia.

What Are the Clinical Criteria for a Diagnosis of Schizophrenia?

The DSM-5 thoroughly explores the various criteria necessary for a schizophrenia diagnosis. While reviewing this information can help you to better understand the condition, one of the most important things to note is that a significant interruption in functioning must occur over time in order for schizophrenia to be present. The various psychotic symptoms that accompany this disorder must be pervasive, continuously affecting the individual at varying intervals. A mental health professional can provide a clinical assessment to make an appropriate diagnosis.

Why Do People Suffer from Schizophrenia?

Scientists continue to seek to understand the causes of schizophrenia. While no singular factor has been identified that indicates that a person will definitely suffer from this disorder, there are some key risks that may make you more susceptible, including the following:

• Having a history of schizophrenia within your family
• Being male
• Having certain chemical or structural abnormalities in the brain
• Enduring certain complicationsduring your birth or while your mother is pregnant with you
• Experiencing prenatal malnutrition
• Being exposed to certain viruses
• Growing up in an urban environment

Schizophrenia Statistics

The following statistics about schizophrenia were collected by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and the Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SRDAA):

• Experts estimate that within the United States, schizophrenia affects 0.25% to 0.64% of the population.
• Globally, the prevalence of schizophrenia is estimated to be 1.1% of the population.
• About 50% of people who have schizophrenia also develop one or more additional mental or behavioral health disorders.
• About 75% of people who have schizophrenia begin to experience symptoms of the disorder when they are between the ages of 16 and 25.
• About 4.9% of people who have schizophrenia die by suicide.
• Experts estimate that about 50% of people who have schizophrenia have never received professional care for this disorder.

Who Is Impacted by Schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a life-altering condition that impacts not only the individual who has been diagnosed, but also their friends, family members, and peers. You and your loved one can access support to heal your relationship by engaging in family-focused services at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health. We aim not only to help the individual recover, but to improve their ties to their support network back home as well.

Schizophrenia Signs & Symptoms

Schizophrenia can cause a person to develop a variety of physical, behavioral, and mental symptoms. The experience may vary from person to person, but in general, the following are among the more common signs and symptoms of schizophrenia:

Behavioral symptoms:

• Speaking in a disorganized or incoherent manner
• Speaking with a flat or monotone voice
• Speaking about topics that appear to have no apparent connection to reality
• Failing to properly interpret common social cues
• Behaving in a disorganized manner
• Catatonia
• Neglecting or failing to tend to personal hygiene and other forms of self-care
• Pulling away from family, friends, or peers
• No longer participating in hobbies or other activities that were previously significant
• Behaving with uncharacteristic or unexplainable aggression

Physical symptoms:

• Motor skill deficiencies
• Flat, expressionlessfacial expressions

Mental symptoms:

• Dramatic, unpredictable mood swings
• Slowed cognitive processing
• Diminished ability to concentrate or focus
• Poor memory
• Feeling detached from your own body
• Feeling detached from your environment or the world around you
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Anxiety and paranoia

Long-Term and Short-Term Effects of Schizophrenia

Without proper care, a person who is living with schizophrenia may find it difficult, if not impossible, to fully engage in a healthy and satisfying lifestyle. The following are common possible long-term and short-term effects of schizophrenia:

• Strained or ruined family relationships
• Problems forming and maintaining friendships and other interpersonal relationships
• Difficulties achieving to expectation in school or at work
• Academic failure
• Job loss
• Unemployment
• Inability to achieve financial independence
• Medical problems related to poor decision-making, substandard self-care, and dangerous or reckless behaviors
• Legal problems related to impaired decision-making and dangerous or reckless behaviors, including arrest and incarceration
• Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental health disorders
• Substance abuse and addiction
• Social withdrawal
• Pervasive sense of hopelessness
• Homelessness
• Self-harm
• Suicidalthoughts or actions

Please note that the onset, development, and severity of both the short-term effects of schizophrenia and the long-term effects of schizophrenia can vary widely from person to person. Also, the short-term effects of schizophrenia can cause considerable harm and should not be viewed as fleeting or not worthy of treatment. Anyone who is experiencing any effects of schizophrenia should seek professional treatment.

Please note that when you receive effective care at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, your risk for the negative effects listed above can be greatly reduced. With professional help, individuals who are struggling with schizophrenia can get control of their symptoms and improve the quality of their lives.

Co-Occurring Disorders

Many people who struggle with schizophrenia also develop other mental health disorders. In clinical terms, experiencing multiple mental health challenges at the same time means that you are suffering from co-occurring disorders. If you’ve been struggling with schizophrenia, you may also have an increased risk for developing the following co-occurring disorders:

• Schizotypal personality disorder
• Paranoid personality disorder
• Anxiety disorders
• Substance use disorders (this is the clinical term for addiction)

The cause-effect relationship between schizophrenia and the co-occurring disorders listed above can vary from person to person. In some cases, suffering from untreated schizophrenia can cause you to experience signs and symptoms of a co-occurring disorder. In other cases, you may experience one of the disorders listed above first, and that may lead to your struggles with schizophrenia.

When you receive comprehensive care at our treatment center in Columbus, Ohio, you can learn about the underlying causes of schizophrenia and co-occurring disorders. While you’re in treatment with us, you will also develop effective strategies for managing the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia and any co-occurring disorders that have been impacting your life.

The Importance of Treatment for Schizophrenia

Left untreated, the hallucinations, delusions, and other severely distressing symptoms of schizophrenia can make it impossible for an affected person to live an independent life. Like other forms of mental illness, this disorder is a progressive disease, meaning that it will worsen over time without the proper support. Schizophrenia can impede your ability to work, attend school, maintain relationships, or tend to the basic tasks of daily living. In its most acute forms, this disorder can be life-threatening, but fortunately, there is hope. By seeking treatment at a quality schizophrenia treatment center such as Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, individuals can receive the support they need to enter recovery.

Inpatient Treatment for Schizophrenia

In instances of severe mental illness such as schizophrenia, inpatient treatment is necessary for healing to begin. By having 24/7 support and supervision in a safe environment, individuals can stabilize over the course of five to seven days. Once a person’s acute symptoms are under control, they can gain the physical strength and mental clarity needed to begin accessing other services. These services may include individual, group, family, and experiential counseling, as well as medication management and physical activities.

How to Get Help for Schizophrenia

If someone you care about is suffering from schizophrenia, you are likely very worried, but you may not know how to help. While you alone cannot heal your loved one, you can play a critical role in their recovery. As you think about ways to assist your loved one during this difficult time, please consider the following:

• Research the signs, symptoms, and effects of schizophrenia. By gaining a greater understanding of the disorder, you’ll be better equipped to support your loved one.
• Research treatment options in your loved one’s area that offer specialized programming for schizophrenia. Contact these centers, ask questions, and find out about their admissions process.
• Share your findings with your loved one, but be prepared to enlist the help of others in encouraging your loved one to enter treatment. Due to the severity of schizophrenia symptoms, individuals may be especially reluctant or unwilling to enter care.
• Despite what might be a frustrating or even frightening reaction from your loved one, be sure to maintain a calm and supportive tone throughout your interactions. Make safety a priority, and ask for help if you need support.

Remember that although schizophrenia is a treatable condition, it takes considerable time to help an individual stabilize and get their symptoms under control. There is no cure for schizophrenia, but with the right support, your loved one can live a rich and balanced life.

What to Expect During Schizophrenia Treatment

The decision to enter treatment, or to encourage a loved one to enter treatment, is an incredibly important one. But without prior experience with inpatient care, you likely have many questions about what happens during schizophrenia treatment at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health. When you decide to confront the reality of needing professional help, you are making an incredibly brave choice, and it is entirely normal to have some fears or misgivings about the process.

While each person who heals at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health will have a unique experience based on their individual needs, each patient will move through the necessary components of effective care, including:

• The admissions process – Our streamlined admissions process allows us to connect patients to the services they need without unnecessary delay. We gather some initial information and then begin the assessment process to ensure that we can meet the patient’s needs.
• The assessment – A thorough assessment process is used to identify each of the patient’s presenting concerns (physical, mental, and emotional). We use the information gathered from this assessment to begin crafting a personal plan of care that reflects the patient’s unique strengths and challenges.
• High-level view of treatment – During treatment for schizophrenia at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, our staff of compassionate professionals assists our patients in setting and monitoring goals, engaging with effective treatment modalities, and planning for next steps on the road to recovery. Throughout this experience, patients are encouraged to play an active role in their healing and are treated with dignity and respect.
• Discharge planning – Residential care is just one step in the lifelong journey to recovery. At Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, we assist each patient in creating a plan for continued success after they leave our center.

For more information about schizophrenia treatment planning at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, contact us today.

Types of Therapy in Schizophrenia Treatment

We believe that comprehensive, customized schizophrenia treatment puts people in the best position to achieve true and lasting healing. Depending upon several individual factors, your personalized schizophrenia treatment plan may include the following elements:

• Medical care – Our staff includes certified nurse practitioners who can provide general medical services below the crisis level. If your struggles with schizophrenia are accompanied by certain medical issues, we may be able to provide the care that you need. Please contact us directly for detailed information about our ability to meet your medical needs within our schizophrenia treatment program.
• Medication management – Certain prescription medications can alleviate or help you manage symptoms of schizophrenia. If our psychiatrist determines that you can benefit from prescription medication, you can receive medication management services during your time in our schizophrenia treatment center. Patients who receive medication management services have daily meetings with a psychiatrist and receive additional support from advanced practice nurses.
• Individual therapy – One-on-one sessions with an experienced therapist can be optimal opportunities for you to process treatment-related successes and setbacks, address issues you may be hesitant to bring up in a group setting, and receive focused feedback from a member of your treatment team. Individual therapy sessions can be scheduled as needed throughout your time in our inpatient schizophrenia treatment program.
• Group therapy – Groups are valuable components of schizophrenia treatment at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health. We offer both process groups and educational groups. Examples of group topics include life skills, coping skills, communication, medications and diagnoses, emotional regulation, and handling traumatic life events. Groups are a safe and supportive forum in which you can share your thoughts, learn from the experiences of others, and practice healthy communication skills, all under the guidance of an experienced professional.
• Family therapy – Family members and close friends can be sources of vital support during and after your time in treatment for schizophrenia. Family therapy sessions can help you and your loved ones process the impact of schizophrenia, learn about schizophrenia treatment, and develop stronger bonds with one another. Family therapy sessions for you and your loved ones can be scheduled on an as-needed basis while you’re healing from schizophrenia at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health.
• Experiential therapy – Experiential therapy is a category that includes a number of dynamic therapeutic activities. Experiential therapy includes multiple techniques through which you can interact with your environment, collaborate with others, and engage with your thoughts or feelings. As a complement to more traditional forms of talk therapy, experiential therapy can provide you with a new perspective from which to view the world, as well as new ways to process your experiences and express yourself.

We also offer detailed discharge planning services for each person who completes our inpatient schizophrenia treatment program. Discharge planning and continuing care for schizophrenia are addressed in greater detail in the “What Happens After Schizophrenia Treatment” section below.

The Cost of Treatment for Schizophrenia

At Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, we want to help eliminate financial barriers to accessing quality care whenever possible. Therefore, we are pleased to accept all major insurance providers, and we can help you or a loved one understand the details of your coverage prior to beginning treatment for schizophrenia at our behavioral health hospital. We want to make sure you are able to use your health insurance to the greatest benefit, and we are always happy to verify your coverage on your behalf.

What Happens After I Complete Treatment for Schizophrenia?

From the moment a patient begins receiving schizophrenia treatment at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, our treatment team will be making a comprehensive plan for their eventual discharge. Treatment is a critical component of the recovery journey, but it is far from the last step. When preparing to leave Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, our patients will have a plan that outlines recommended next steps, referrals, and suggestions for continued success in recovery from schizophrenia.

Learn About Continuing Care for Schizophrenia

At Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, our inpatient care program is designed to help our patients achieve stabilization from acute symptoms of schizophrenia. From there, patients can transition to other levels of support, including the following:

• Partial hospitalization program (PHP) – Treatment at the PHP level typically consists of full days of treatment Mondays through Fridays. PHP does not include a residential component, so participants return home or to alternative residences in the evenings and on weekends.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP) – IOP includes fewer treatment hours than PHP, typically three or four hours per day. Participants usually have the flexibility to take part in therapy two, three, or four days per week, depending upon their needs.
• Traditional outpatient services – This could include outpatient therapy like individual, group, and family sessions, as well as psychiatric services.
• Support groups – There are many different support groups offered throughout the Columbus, Ohio, area for those who are struggling with schizophrenia and other forms of mental illness.

How to Maintain Your Mental Health After Completing Treatment for Schizophrenia

Throughout a patient’s time at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, they will be encouraged to take ownership of their healing. But after a person discharges from our hospital, it will become even more critical for them to be the driving force behind their own wellness and recovery, paying close attention to the following:

• Physical health – The mind and body are connected, so in order for you to maintain strong mental health, you’ll need to be mindful of your physical health as well. Make sure to follow a healthy diet, engage in physical activity that you enjoy, and get plenty of restorative sleep.
• Personal support – You’ll need to build a network of individuals who will support your efforts to sustain your recovery after treatment. This can include friends, family members, and other loved ones.
• Professional help – If you struggle with a disorder like schizophrenia, you may require ongoing counseling and psychiatric care to assist you in maintaining stability and balance.

Who Do We Treat?

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health in Columbus, Ohio, provides comprehensive inpatient schizophrenia treatment for adults age 18 and above.

Our inpatient programming is designed for adults whose struggles with schizophrenia have had a significant impact on their ability to function in a healthy and productive manner. Inpatient care for schizophrenia at Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is a short-term experience, with the goal of helping you achieve the level of stability that will enable you to return home or transition to a step-down level of care.

All admissions decisions for our inpatient schizophrenia treatment program are made on a case-by-case basis following a thorough review of each potential patient’s needs and treatment history. If at any point prior to admission we determine that Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is not the best place for you, we’ll work with you and your family to make the most appropriate referral.

Where Are We Located?

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is an 80-bed inpatient schizophrenia treatment center in Columbus, Ohio. We’re located on Hilton Corporate Drive on the east side of Columbus, not far from where Interstate 70 connects with Interstate 270.

Our convenient location in central Ohio means we’re easily accessible from Pickerington, Dublin, Grove City, Westerville, and a host of additional communities in and around the Columbus-Marion-Zanesville metropolitan area.

Our schizophrenia treatment center is a safe and supportive environment for patients. It is also a welcoming place for friends, family members, and other visitors. Features include comfortable patient rooms, superior clinical areas, and inviting spaces in which to relax and reflect.

Our Affiliations & Accreditations

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is committed to playing a leading role in the effort to establish and maintain the highest standards in the treatment of schizophrenia and other mental health disorders.

We’re proud to be accredited by or affiliated with other agencies and organizations that are also working to ensure that individuals and families in need have access to accurate information and quality care:

• The Joint Commission – The Joint Commission is a not-for-profit organization that provides independent accreditation and certification services for healthcare providers throughout the United States. As stated on The Joint Commission’s website, the organization’s mission is to “continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value.”
• Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) – This agency oversees statewide efforts to prevent and treat mental illness and chemical dependency, and to support those who are in recovery. OhioMHAS is also responsible for certifying, licensing, and regulating mental health service providers throughout the state of Ohio.
• Ohio State Medical Association (OSMA) – Founded as the Ohio State Medical Society in 1846, OSMA promotes physician leadership and education, advocates for medical liability reform and other political issues, and provides guidance to professionals and organizations throughout the state.

The Importance of Selecting a Local Schizophrenia Treatment Center Near Columbus

Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is dedicated to ensuring that the residents of the Columbus, Ohio, area have access to the treatment they need to heal from schizophrenia. We’ve built strong relationships with other providers in the area, and as such have created a strong referral network to ensure seamless transitions into other forms of care. Our staff works diligently to provide the members of our community – patients and loved ones alike – with access to the finest schizophrenia treatment available.

Why Choose Mount Carmel Behavioral Health for Help with Schizophrenia?

When it comes to treating schizophrenia, you need a treatment center that delivers the latest in cutting-edge care in an atmosphere of dignity and compassion. If you are in the Columbus, Ohio, area, that center is Mount Carmel Behavioral Health. Schizophrenia is a challenging disorder that requires comprehensive, individualized care in order for lasting healing to occur. At Mount Carmel Behavioral Health, we view each patient as a unique individual who is worthy of our heartfelt support. Our experienced, compassionate staff members work to provide the most positive outcome possible for each adult in our behavioral health hospital’s care. With our support, you or your loved one can stabilize and work toward managing symptoms of schizophrenia.

To learn more about how Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is uniquely prepared to help you or a loved one achieve true and lasting healing from schizophrenia, please feel free to contact us at your convenience. A friendly and knowledgeable member of our team is available to speak with you 24/7. We look forward to answering all your questions and helping you determine if Mount Carmel Behavioral Health is the perfect place for you or your loved one.