It can be challenging to cope with the effects of mental health conditions. For instance, unmanaged schizophrenia symptoms can feel deeply overwhelming for those struggling with it. What’s more, there is a strong link between schizophrenia and substance use disorder (SUD), as people often turn to substances to self-medicate. Fortunately, safe and effective treatments are available. Neurofeedback, for example, is a therapy that improves a person’s ability to regulate brain function by measuring brain waves and providing a feedback signal. This therapy provides a unique way to treat individuals with schizophrenia and co-occurring conditions. Participating in neurofeedback at Avalon Malibu can provide a way to treat schizophrenia and recover one’s quality of life.
What Is Schizophrenia, and When Is It Best to Treat Schizophrenia?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), schizophrenia can be defined as a mental health disorder that affects how an individual feels, thinks, and behaves. Those facing challenges with this mental illness may be perceived as an individual who has lost touch with reality. This can be distressing for not only the individual with schizophrenia but their family members and friends as well.
Individuals with schizophrenia may experience the onset of their condition anywhere between the ages of 16 and 30. Ideally, a person should begin treatment soon after symptoms first appear. Early treatment may help people better manage this condition, leading to mental stability and a more successful future.
How Does It Feel to Live With Schizophrenia?
Based on the NIMH, as mentioned above on the webpage, the effects of schizophrenia can be different for everyone. However, an individual’s symptoms may align with the three main categories linked with their mental illness. These include psychotic, negative, and cognitive symptoms.
Psychotic symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thoughts. An individual who experiences persistent psychotic symptoms may endure disruptive thought patterns and perceptions. This can make it difficult for them to decipher fantasy from reality.
It is common for those experiencing this condition to have decreased motivation, lose interest in enjoyable activities, find it difficult to express their emotions, and begin to withdraw from social opportunities. Their cognition may be impaired, leading to attention deficits, problems concentrating, and memory loss. Schizophrenia can make it highly difficult for one to function on a day-to-day basis without seeking proper management.
The Link Between Schizophrenia and Substance Use Disorder
Genetic factors play a major role in the probability of developing schizophrenia and co-occurring SUD. As schizophrenia can be disruptive to an individual’s lifestyle, it is common for people to attempt to self-medicate with drugs and alcohol. This method is never advised. Research indicates that substance use can dramatically worsen one’s course of mental health treatment and quality of life. Thus, maintaining abstinent from harmful substances is imperative for staying on track toward healing and mental stability.
Risk factors for schizophrenia are also linked with the following:
- Cannabis use
- Cocaine use
- Nicotine use
- Severe alcohol use
What Is Neurofeedback and How Can It Treat Schizophrenia?
According to Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, neurofeedback is a type of biofeedback that guides people to gain more control of their brain functions. Neurofeedback can be done by measuring an individual’s specific brain waves while providing a beneficial feedback signal. Clients at Avalon Malibu are given positive audio or video feedback that contains both desirable and undesirable brain activities.
Neurofeedback can be an alternative to other treatments for structuring brain dysfunctions or a complementary service to other forms of care. It is a safe and non-invasive procedure that causes improvement in schizophrenia as well as various other mental health conditions. An individual who uses this treatment may become more aware of positive changes in their condition. The practitioner also offers access to their progress status as they strive to achieve optimal performance levels.
Based on the studies discussed in the journal mentioned above, those with schizophrenia benefit from this treatment. In one study, those who had negative symptomatology found significant improvement in their psychometric measures, including social interpersonal behaviors. These findings suggest that neurofeedback is a promising treatment for those experiencing challenges managing their schizophrenia.
The Benefits of Participating in Neurofeedback to Treat Schizophrenia at Avalon Malibu
Prolonged substance abuse can cause an individual’s brain to change over time. This can result in negative brainwave patterns and a damaged reward system. Neurofeedback therapy at Avalon Malibu guides clients to better regulate brain function by experiencing natural rewards. This drug-free therapy is used to help regulate brainwaves and improve one’s ability to function daily. As self-regulation improves, many people experience decreased symptoms and improved memory, attention, and focus. Further benefits can include the following:
- Improved insight
- Better mood regulation
- Improved performance levels
- Enhanced sleep
- Reduced anxiety and depression
- Empowerment from having a self-monitoring tool
Your chances of successful recovery start with Avalon Malibu, an exclusive mental health and substance abuse rehab center located on a large private oceanfront estate in Malibu, California. We understand that there is no short-term cure for a long-term mental health issue. Avalon Malibu’s unique approach to treatment often succeeds where other programs fall short. We understand that schizophrenia can disrupt an individual’s ability to function. However, we also know that the brain is an amazing thing. Its ability to adapt and change by forming new neural connections allows people to transform. We use neurofeedback therapy as a safe and effective way to help clients overcome many conditions. Call us at (844) 857-5992 for more information.
