Schizophrenia is a severe and disabling medical disorder that can cause delusions and hallucinations. Persons who suffer from this condition often find it very difficult to have a coherent conversation because of mental distractions. New medical approaches to the treatment of this serious condition are focusing on eliminating distractions in a person’s mind that prevent him or her from thinking clearly.
Many persons with schizophrenia find it difficult to stay on topic, because their minds frequently jump from issue to issue. Researchers currently working on treatments for schizophrenia have focused less on eliminating delusions, and more on helping patients think clearly. One of the techniques being implemented is the use of pharmaceutical drugs that improve memory and enhance brain performance. A number of pharmaceutical companies are currently dedicating resources to developing these medications, but success has been slow. Therefore, some clinicians have begun using exercise and fish oil pills that are believed to be good for the brain.
In other clinics, doctors are recommending special computer games that are designed to train schizophrenics to simply tune out distractions in their mind, and focus on performing simple instructions. These doctors believe that antipsychotic drugs can only do so much to help deal with the distractions in the person’s mind. They do not believe that video games will completely replace antipsychotic drugs, but they do believe that helping these patients tune out such distractions can help provide them a better quality of life.
If you suffer from schizophrenia, you may be eligible for disability benefits under the Social Security program, but it’s important to have a dedicated lawyer working on your behalf.