Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that is characterized by delusions and hallucinations. It usually occurs in early adulthood or adolescence, mostly between 16 and 30 years. It is estimated that schizophrenia affects 1% of the country’s population. Diagnosing schizophrenia is done only after ruling other mental illnesses. The progression of the disease is so slow that people may not notice the symptoms for many years.

1. Symptoms of schizophrenia

A good number of people affected by schizophrenia rely on others for taking care of them. Some of them present clear symptoms, while others may seem fine until they start truly thinking. Symptoms of schizophrenia are classified as positive, negative, cognitive, and emotional symptoms.

Major symptoms of schizophrenia are as follows:

• Delusions

The patient displays false beliefs in many forms. They may think they have extraordinary symptoms.

• Hallucinations

People keep hearing voices and experience other hallucinations.

• Thought disorder

It may be difficult to understand people with schizophrenia as they may jump from one subject to another without any logic.

• Social withdrawal

People affected with schizophrenia are always under the impression that others are going to harm them.

2. Treatment for schizophrenia

Treatment for schizophrenia is focused on the relief of symptoms. The treatment is usually a combination of medication, psychological counseling, and self-help resources. Schizophrenia natural treatments aim at alleviating the symptoms. Although there are various treatments available for schizophrenia, there are no natural or pharmaceutical cures for it.

Some of the natural schizophrenia treatments are as follows:

• Omega-3 fatty acids with high EPA

Some research suggests that consumption of high amounts of fish oil with EPA shows significant reduction of schizophrenia symptoms. The recommended dosage of EPA is 2g to 4g per day.

• Antioxidants

It has been found that taking vitamins E and C with omega-3 fatty acids shows an overall benefit among people with schizophrenia. Essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are known to be most effective in managing symptoms of schizophrenia.

• Personal therapy

One of the most effective natural treatments for schizophrenia includes personal or behavioral therapy. Personal therapy is known to very effectively cure symptoms of schizophrenia. One of the research shows that personal therapy was much more effective than familial support. Newer therapies like Functional Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are effective in helping people with schizophrenia.

• Dietary changes

Schizophrenia natural treatment includes dietary changes to reduce sugar and fat intake. Nutrition plays an important role in improving mental health. If the brain gets the nutrients it requires, cognition and other mental processing needs are better fulfilled. Foods rich in sugar and fat are to be avoided by people affected with schizophrenia.

• Animal-assisted therapy

Animal-assisted therapy has proved to be useful in promoting socialization and rehabilitation among schizophrenia patients.

Other natural schizophrenia treatments include music therapy and alternative therapies.