Category: Conditions

Unmanaged obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is often debilitating. Its unwanted thoughts and repetitive behaviors can take over your life. These symptoms can also damage your relationships, leaving you isolated from support.

Your intrusive thoughts don’t have to define you. With the right treatment, you can find relief from the symptoms of OCD. You can also learn to manage your response to any symptoms that remain. That way, you can live a rich and meaningful life—even if your thoughts are sometimes challenging. For many people, that journey begins in a rehab program that treats OCD.

Types of Treatment for OCD

Treatment for people with OCD usually includes medication, ((Obsessive-compulsive disorder. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd)) talk therapy, or a combination of the two. And according to research, psychotherapy can be just as effective as medication. Your healthcare team can help you choose which options are best for you. And your treatment plan may change over time, as you get better at managing your symptoms.

Inpatient rehab is a highly effective treatment for patients with OCD. ((Grøtte, T., Hansen, B., Haseth, S., Vogel, P. A., Guzey, I. C., & Solem, S. (2018). Three-week inpatient treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A 6-month follow-up study. Frontiers in Psychology, 9, 620. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00620)) This is especially true for people with co-occurring disorders. In one study, patients showed improvement after just 3 weeks of residential treatment. During your time in rehab, you might try a number of different therapies.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an extremely popular form of behavioral therapy. It is used as a treatment for several mental health conditions, including addiction. And there is a “wide consensus among researchers and clinicians that CBT is an effective treatment for OCD.” ((Pittenger, C., Kelmendi, B., Bloch, M., Krystal, J. H., & Coric, V. (2005). Clinical treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 2(11), 34–43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2993523/))

This treatment can be accurately described as either talk therapy or behavioral therapy. During a CBT session, you’ll sit in a therapist’s office and have a conversation with them. However, that conversation will focus on specific behaviors to help you through recovery. Over time, you’ll learn practical skills for responding to overwhelming thoughts and feelings.

Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP or EX/RP)

This specialized type of CBT is designed to target OCD symptoms. ERP is currently the best-proven behavioral therapy for OCD treatment. ((Pittenger, C., Kelmendi, B., Bloch, M., Krystal, J. H., & Coric, V. (2005). Clinical treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. Psychiatry (Edgmont), 2(11), 34–43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2993523/)) In ERP, like most other exposure therapies, patients are exposed to triggering situations. Your therapist will prevent you from responding with compulsive behavior.

For example, you might feel compelled to wash your hands after touching a certain object. In ERP, you’d start by touching that object. Then, you’d talk to your therapist about your intrusive thoughts. This process lets you work through triggers, instead of giving in to your compulsions. If this sounds too intimidating, you can always start small. Your therapist will help you eventually try it in a safe, supervised setting.

Medication

If a doctor prescribes medication to manage your OCD symptoms, ((Obsessive-compulsive disorder. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd)) you’ll probably start by taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), such as Prozac. SSRIs are some of the most commonly-prescribed drugs for OCD. You may not see improvements right away—it can take up to 8-12 weeks—but these meds can be highly effective.

If you have co-occurring disorders, the right medication can help you heal from more than 1 diagnosis. Research even suggests that SSRIs can help some people with OCD heal from addictions. ((Virtanen, S., Kuja-Halkola, R., Sidorchuk, A., Fernández de la Cruz, L., Rück, C., Lundström, S., Suvisaari, J., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., Mataix-Cols, D., & Latvala, A. (2022). Association of obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive-compulsive symptoms with substance misuse in 2 longitudinal cohorts in sweden. JAMA Network Open, 5(6), e2214779. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14779)) If you’d like to try taking medication for OCD, make sure to share your complete health history with your doctor. They may be able to help you heal from more than 1 diagnosis with a single form of treatment.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS is an alternative, non-invasive treatment for OCD. ((Obsessive-compulsive disorder. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd)) If other treatments haven’t worked for you, this might be an effective solution. During each session, your provider attaches an electromagnetic coil to your head. The coil produces a magnetic field that creates changes in targeted areas of the brain. Your doctor will tailor your treatment plan to meet your needs, but you can expect to attend these sessions for several weeks. It may take a number of treatments to see improvements in your OCD symptoms.

Fighting the Stigma of Mental Illness

OCD is often misunderstood. People who don’t have this condition often use the term casually. This can be invalidating and even stigmatizing. There’s a big difference between liking cleanliness and having OCD.

OCD is a serious diagnosis. ((Sharma, E., & Math, S. B. (2019). Course and outcome of obsessive–compulsive disorder. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 61(Suppl 1), S43–S50. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_521_18)) In fact, it’s 1 of the top 10 causes of disability around the world. Obsessive-compulsive disorder consists of unwanted, uncontrollable, and recurring thoughts called “obsessions.” ((Obsessive-compulsive disorder. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved June 6, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-ocd)) These thoughts are often accompanied by repeated or ritualistic behaviors called “compulsions.” You may experience either 1 or both of these sets of symptoms.

Your symptoms may affect your daily life and give you a constant sense of stress or anxiety. Intrusive thoughts can be disturbing, especially if they include hostile or violent imagery. You may feel some relief when you act out a compulsive behavior. But unfortunately, your anxious feelings will most likely come creeping back soon after.

You may also experience motor tics as a symptom of OCD. These are abrupt, involuntary, repetitive movements. Some people may also experience vocal tics, or repeated sounds. Common motor and vocal tics include, but aren’t limited to, the following:

• Eye blinking and other eye movements
• Facial grimacing
• Shoulder shrugging
• Head or shoulder jerking
• Throat-clearing
• Sniffing
• Grunting sounds

These characteristics of OCD are very different from just liking a clean space. Caring about cleanliness doesn’t mean you have unwanted thoughts and compulsive behaviors. OCD can also make you vulnerable to other mental health issues—including addiction.

The Link Between OCD and Drug Addiction

OCD and drug abuse ((Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Substance Use Disorders. Advisory, Volume 15, Issue 3.)) often appear together. Their exact rate of co-occurrence is unknown, because OCD is so underreported. ((Brock, H., & Hany, M. (2022). Obsessive-compulsive disorder. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553162/)) This may be partly due to the stigma around this condition.

But several studies have estimated the prevalence of addiction among people with OCD. In one, people with OCD ((Virtanen, S., Kuja-Halkola, R., Sidorchuk, A., Fernández de la Cruz, L., Rück, C., Lundström, S., Suvisaari, J., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., Mataix-Cols, D., & Latvala, A. (2022). Association of obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive-compulsive symptoms with substance misuse in 2 longitudinal cohorts in sweden. JAMA Network Open, 5(6), e2214779. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14779)) appeared almost 7 times more likely to have a drug-related disorder. Another study found that almost ⅓ of veterans with OCD also had a history of addiction. ((Ecker, A. H., Stanley, M. A., Smith, T. L., Teng, E. J., Fletcher, T. L., Van Kirk, N., Amspoker, A. B., Walder, A., McIngvale, E., & Lindsay, J. A. (2019). Co-occurrence of obsessive-compulsive disorder and substance use disorders among u. S. Veterans: Prevalence and mental health utilization. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 33(1), 23–32. https://doi.org/10.1891/0889-8391.33.1.23))

Why Are People With OCD Vulnerable to Addiction?

There are several theories that may explain why likelihood of addiction and OCD go hand in hand:

• Doctors often prescribe sedatives to people with OCD, ((Virtanen, S., Kuja-Halkola, R., Sidorchuk, A., Fernández de la Cruz, L., Rück, C., Lundström, S., Suvisaari, J., Larsson, H., Lichtenstein, P., Mataix-Cols, D., & Latvala, A. (2022). Association of obsessive-compulsive disorder and obsessive-compulsive symptoms with substance misuse in 2 longitudinal cohorts in sweden. JAMA Network Open, 5(6), e2214779. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.14779)) which can eventually lead to misuse.
• Some people may start taking drugs to cope with OCD symptoms. ((Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Substance Use Disorders. Advisory, Volume 15, Issue 3.))
• OCD and addiction ((Apa psycnet. (n.d.). Retrieved June 7, 2022, from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2019-72315-006)) might affect the reward processing center in the brain.
• Genetics may play a role in both OCD and addiction.
• People with OCD tend to be more impulsive, which may make them more likely to try substances.

If you attend rehab for OCD, you can get assessed and treated for other issues while you’re there. This is hugely important for people who are also recovering from addiction. It can also be helpful for people with other diagnoses.

OCD and Other Co-Occurring Disorders

OCD also frequently co-occurs with other disorders ((Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Substance Use Disorders. Advisory, Volume 15, Issue 3.))—not just addiction. Research suggests that at least 90% of people with OCD also have at least 1 other diagnosis.

OCD & Behavioral Addictions (BAs)

Behavioral addictions, like internet addiction, can co-occur with OCD. ((Rai, D., Jaisoorya, T. S., Narayanaswamy, J. C., Arumugham, S. S., & Janardhan Reddy, Y. C. (2022). Behavioural addictions in obsessive compulsive disorder – Prevalence and clinical correlates. Psychiatry Research Communications, 2(1), 100016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psycom.2021.100016)) A person with a behavioral addiction can’t stop what they’re doing, in spite of obvious negative impacts. Common BAs include internet, gambling, and sex addictions.

These conditions might even look similar to OCD. In either case, you may feel relief when you do a certain activity, even if it causes measurable harm. Both people with BAs and people with OCD show increased impulsivity. And in fact, experts believe this trait might make people with OCD more vulnerable to BAs.

OCD & Other Mental Health Conditions

Because OCD affects so many aspects of your life, it can put you at risk for other mental health conditions. ((Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2016). Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and Substance Use Disorders. Advisory, Volume 15, Issue 3.)) You may isolate yourself or stop doing activities you used to enjoy. Being in public, where you can’t control the environment, might make you even more anxious. These are some of the most common mental health issues to occur alongside OCD:

• Depression
• Generalized anxiety disorder
• Social phobia
• Specific phobias
• Panic disorder
• Post-traumatic stress disorder

Like any other diagnosis, the issues on this list can have many causes. However, if they develop because of your OCD, then they won’t heal unless you treat it. And when you’re ready to make that change, inpatient treatment can help.

Visit our searchable directory of rehab facilities that treat OCD to learn what types of therapy they offer, which other conditions they treat, and their pricing information.

Grief is one of the most painful experiences you can go through. If you’re grieving a loss, it can be difficult to imagine moving on. It probably seems unfair. But remember to be gentle with yourself. Try to avoid judging your own feelings, no matter what they are. This kaleidoscope of emotions may range from sadness to anger to resentment, and more. But remember that all feelings are valid, and any feeling might be part of the grieving process.

It’s normal to miss what you’ve lost—whether that’s a person, a place, or just a period of time. But it’s also important to stop your grief from interfering with your needs, goals, and values. You can still honor a memory while living a happy and fulfilling life.

If you’re unable to move forward, you can actually attend rehab for grief. In treatment, you’ll learn to cope with your loss in a healthy way.

When Should You Seek Inpatient Grief Treatment?

Grief is difficult ((Mughal, S., Azhar, Y., Mahon, M. M., & Siddiqui, W. J. (2022). Grief reaction. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507832/))—there’s no doubt about that. But there’s a difference between a more natural grieving process and one that requires treatment. To quote a study published by the National Library of Medicine, most people will experience these 5 stages of grief:

• denial and Isolation
• anger
• bargaining
• depression
• acceptance

Everyone moves through these 5 stages at a different pace. But some people get stuck in them for a longer period of time. This is when “acute grief” turns to “complicated grief.”

Acute vs. Complicated Grief

Immediately after a loss, most people experience “acute grief.” ((Mughal, S., Azhar, Y., Mahon, M. M., & Siddiqui, W. J. (2022). Grief reaction. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507832/)) During this phase, a person may feel overwhelmed by painful emotions related to their recent loss. After about 6-12 months, most people move on from “acute grief” to “integrated grief.” They may still be grieving, but they’re able to return to their daily lives.

You can also expect that some of your grief symptoms may return occasionally. This often happens around certain times of the year, such as the anniversary of the event. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need treatment.

But for about 7-10% of people, painful emotions and sadness persist for over a year after the loss. This is “complicated grief.” With this condition, you may be unable to stop thinking about your loved one, feel empty, have a disinterest in your own life, and find it difficult to sleep.

There are several other terms that describe complicated grief:

• prolonged grief disorder
• traumatic grief
• pathological grief

It’s important to note that the effects of prolonged grief disorder aren’t just mental—they can be physical, too.

Physical Risks of Prolonged Grief Disorder

If you don’t learn to cope with your grief, ((Mughal, S., Azhar, Y., Mahon, M. M., & Siddiqui, W. J. (2022). Grief reaction. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507832/)) the effects can be very serious. Your emotional distress can manifest into physical symptoms. You can even develop serious health conditions, such as the following:

• heart attack, which can lead to complications or death
• heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias), in which the heart beats irregularly
• Takosubo Cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome, where the left ventricle of the heart becomes weak
• physical pain, such as headaches, muscle tension, or chest tightness

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should get immediate medical care. However, if the cause is emotional, you might also require mental health treatment. Currently, the gold standard treatment for traumatic grief disorder is complicated grief therapy (CGT).

Complicated Grief Therapy (CGT)

CGT specifically treats prolonged grief disorder. ((Iglewicz, A., Shear, M. K., Reynolds, C. F., Simon, N., Lebowitz, B., & Zisook, S. (2020). Complicated grief therapy for clinicians: An evidence-based protocol for mental health practice. Depression and Anxiety, 37(1), 90–98. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22965)) This is the most effective treatment we know of for this condition. CGT is designed to help you accept and cope with loss. And at the same time, your therapist will teach you to adapt to the next phase of your life.

What is CGT?

Complicated grief therapy ((Iglewicz, A., Shear, M. K., Reynolds, C. F., Simon, N., Lebowitz, B., & Zisook, S. (2020). Complicated grief therapy for clinicians: An evidence-based protocol for mental health practice. Depression and Anxiety, 37(1), 90–98. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22965)) uses elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT).

CBT teaches patients to change their negative thoughts and behaviors to positive ones. And in IPT, patients use therapy to work on improving relationships and reconnecting to their goals.

CGT implements 7 themes ((Wetherell, J. L. (2012). Complicated grief therapy as a new treatment approach. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 14(2), 159–166. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384444/)) that help patients learn to handle their grief:

1. acceptance of grief
2. emotion management
3. considering your own future
4. improving relationships
5. telling the story of the original loss
6. tolerating reminders and triggers
7. connecting with memories

CGT integrates these ideas through various exercises, such as exposure interventions. In an exposure intervention, your therapist guides you through a triggered grief response. For instance, you might tell the story of a loved one’s death, and then talk through your emotional reaction. But unlike classic exposure therapy, this is only one aspect of treatment. In the same session, you’ll also work toward your aspirations for the future.

What Happens During CGT Sessions?

CGT consists of 16 sessions, ((Wetherell, J. L. (2012). Complicated grief therapy as a new treatment approach. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 14(2), 159–166. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3384444/)) each about 45-60 minutes long. The treatment is typically split into 3 phases. In the first 3 sessions (the introductory phase), you’ll describe your situation, and learn what you can expect from CGT. Your therapist will also introduce various exercises that you’ll complete in the future, such as the following:

• The grief monitoring diary is a journal where you’ll list your daily experience of triggers. You’ll also describe any times when your grief felt more manageable.
• During imaginal revisiting, you’ll spend about 5 minutes telling the therapist how you first learned about the loss.
• In situational revisiting, you’ll take an inventory of activities or places you avoid because they remind you of your loss.
• Aspirations work happens in session, with your therapist’s guidance. This is a time for you to discuss activities you enjoy and your goals for the future.

Often, a person close to you will come to your third session of CGT. From sessions 4 to 9 (the intermediate phase), you and your provider will work together on various activities to cope with the loss and re-establish joy in life. During session 10, you’ll discuss your progress. The therapist will ask for your input about how to structure the remaining 6 sessions.

From 11 to 16 (the final phase), you’ll continue to work on the exercises listed above. In the last few sessions, the therapist may lead you through imaginal conversation, in which you’ll act as both yourself and a person you’ve lost. This type of therapeutic roleplaying lets you ask questions, offer reassurance, and find closure.

Medication for Prolonged Grief Disorder

Doctors sometimes prescribe antidepressants to help patients with traumatic grief. ((Szuhany, K. L., Malgaroli, M., Miron, C. D., & Simon, N. M. (2021). Prolonged grief disorder: Course, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. Focus: Journal of Life Long Learning in Psychiatry, 19(2), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20200052)) Data suggests that medication works better with psychotherapy, especially CGT.

Because depression often co-occurs with complicated grief, antidepressants are a way of treating both conditions at once. But this is just one of many possible co-occurring disorders.

Co-Occurring Disorders Can Make Grief Difficult to Diagnose

The most common disorders to co-occur with complicated grief ((Ito, M., Nakajima, S., Fujisawa, D., Miyashita, M., Kim, Y., Shear, M. K., Ghesquiere, A., & Wall, M. M. (2012). Brief measure for screening complicated grief: Reliability and discriminant validity. PLoS ONE, 7(2), e31209. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0031209)) are major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Both conditions have several symptoms that overlap with complicated grief. This can make it difficult to get the right diagnosis.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

Both major depressive disorder and prolonged grief disorder can include the following symptoms:

• sadness
• a sense of isolation
• difficulty sleeping
• guilt

Although the symptoms are similar, there’s an important difference between these conditions. With MDD, the symptoms are general. They may or may not have a discernible cause. But with complicated grief, they’re directly related to the loss itself. For example, someone with traumatic grief may avoid places that remind them of their loss. Their symptoms have a specific external cause, and aren’t only due to brain chemistry.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

In either PTSD or traumatic grief, ((Szuhany, K. L., Malgaroli, M., Miron, C. D., & Simon, N. M. (2021). Prolonged grief disorder: Course, diagnosis, assessment, and treatment. Focus: Journal of Life Long Learning in Psychiatry, 19(2), 161–172. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.focus.20200052)) you may experience unwanted thoughts, and a sense of numbness or dissociation.

But again, there’s a differentiating factor: with PTSD, fear is the core emotion. You could be avoiding situations because you’re afraid of them. But in complicated grief, the primary feelings are sadness and a yearning for what’s lost. For instance, you might stay away from places where you have good memories with someone who’s gone.

People with an anxiety disorder or an addiction are more likely to develop prolonged grief disorder. And if these conditions are present before the loss takes place, it can be even harder to process your grief.

Grief and Addiction

There is a link between the loss of a loved one, prolonged grief, and drug abuse. ((Caparrós, B., & Masferrer, L. (2021). Coping strategies and complicated grief in a substance use disorder sample. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 624065. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.624065)) In fact, addiction can make you more vulnerable to traumatic grief ((Parisi, A., Sharma, A., Howard, M. O., & Blank Wilson, A. (2019). The relationship between substance misuse and complicated grief: A systematic review. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 103, 43–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2019.05.012))—and vice versa. This is partly because using drugs and alcohol can seem to help you cope with the symptoms of grief. But substance use can also make it more difficult for you to properly process your emotions.

In one study, subjects increased their drug and alcohol use after a loss ((Drabwell, L., Eng, J., Stevenson, F., King, M., Osborn, D., & Pitman, A. (2020). Perceptions of the use of alcohol and drugs after sudden bereavement by unnatural causes: Analysis of online qualitative data. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3), 677. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030677)) for several different reasons:

• as a way of honoring the one they lost, especially if substance use reminded them of the person
• to experience pleasure and escape reality, especially as a distraction that also helped them connect with peers
• to live life to its fullest, and gain new life experiences
• as a sleep aid when experiencing insomnia
• to cope with difficult emotions, and open up to others about them

A number of people in the study lost control of their drug and alcohol use for a period of time after experiencing loss. For some subjects, this issue resolved itself over time. But others developed longer-term addictions. If this is your experience, you might consider going to rehab for both drug use and traumatic grief.

Find Joy in Life Again

You may feel guilty for moving on—it can feel like you’re erasing the past. But moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting what came before. You can honor what you’ve lost by living a life that you love.

During and after treatment, you can try new activities, and maybe even have fun. By fully engaging in the present, you can start looking ahead to what comes next. And you can find ways to carry your best memories with you, in every phase of recovery.

Healing is easier with expert support. Visit our directory of rehab centers that treat grief to read about available treatments, including medication, talk therapy, and complementary therapies.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

Chronic pain can be as emotionally debilitating as it is physically. It can be frustrating to miss out on activities and events you normally love, and daily life can feel downright exhausting. Loved ones may not understand, and the loss of that social support can be draining.

However, you can find help. There are plenty of rehab centers that offer support for managing chronic pain.

Psychological Aspects of Chronic Pain

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMSHA, chronic pain is “persistent pain that may or may not have a known etiology.” ((Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Managing Chronic Pain in Adults With or in Recovery From Substance Use Disorders. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 54. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4671. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011)) That is, you may or may not know where your pain came from, but it’s not going away on its own.

This condition doesn’t just affect your physical health–it can affect your mental health, too. There are 3 different psychological aspects that people with chronic pain may experience ((Sturgeon, J. A. (2014). Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 7, 115–124. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S44762)) that can either worsen or improve your mental state: pain catastrophizing, pain-related fear, and pain acceptance.

Pain Catastrophizing

Pain catastrophizing is a negative view of the actual or expected pain experience. You may magnify the negative effects of pain, encounter obsessive thoughts, and feel helpless in your ability to cope. Increased rates of depression, anxiety, and lower quality of life are all associated with pain catastrophizing. People who experience this report feeling a loss of control over their pain, worse emotional and social functioning, and a lower likelihood of responding positively to medical interventions. Research suggests that changing catastrophic thoughts about pain helps improve overall well-being and the likelihood of returning to work despite the pain.

Pain-Related Fear

You may also experience a fear of pain. This can include fear around a new injury or the worsening of your current condition. People with a fear of pain report higher pain intensity and may avoid any behaviors that can lead to more pain, even if they’re necessary in improving the person’s condition (for example, exercises prescribed by a physical therapist).

Pain Acceptance

In this process, patients learn to be nonjudgmental about their pain, to stop detrimental efforts to control their pain, and to live a happy and fulfilling life, regardless of their pain. This can help improve emotional functioning in 2 different aspects:

• willingness to experience pain, which prevents negative emotional reactions to pain
• continuing to do enjoyable activities despite pain, which helps increase positive feelings

Together, these 2 aspects can help decrease pain catastrophizing and increase positive well being, which minimizes the connection between pain intensity and negative emotions. Patients learn to cope with their pain, and no longer let it control their lives. This can be incredibly empowering, and is a vital part of any recovery plan.

Treatment Options

Chronic pain is no small problem. According to data gathered from the National Health Interview Survey, researchers estimate that over 50 million adults experience chronic pain. ((Yong, R. J., Mullins, P. M., & Bhattacharyya, N. (2022). Prevalence of chronic pain among adults in the United States. PAIN: The Journal of the International Association for the Study of Pain, 163(2), e328–e332. https://doi.org/10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002291)) More than 1 in 5, or about 20.5% of adults living in the United States, reported feeling pain on most days or every day.

While you may already be familiar with treatment options for the physical effects of chronic pain, it’s helpful to know that there’s also treatment available for its mental effects. Chronic pain may contribute to other mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety. But fortunately, these are all highly treatable.

Here are a few therapies that are commonly used in chronic pain management:

In Vivo Exposure Treatment

This treatment helps people dealing with pain-related fear. ((Sturgeon, J. A. (2014). Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 7, 115–124. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S44762)) It’s based on the belief that chronic pain sufferers avoid pain to such a degree that they stop doing things that are, in fact, helpful. They may even avoid behaviors that don’t actually harm them but they’re afraid will, such as physical activity. In vivo exposure therapy aims to expose the patient to perceived “painful” activities to show them that they’re not actually as painful as they imagined. Research shows that this treatment helps reduce pain catastrophizing, depression, and anxiety in patients with pain-related fear.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Pain

CBT is a psychotherapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. CBT can help people with chronic pain ((Sturgeon, J. A. (2014). Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 7, 115–124. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S44762)) develop coping skills. Techniques therapists may teach include structured relaxation, simple ways to modify behavior that can reduce the number and length of pain flares, and assertive communication. In addition, CBT can help people identify negative thoughts about pain and change them to positive ones that promote healthy functioning.

According to research, CBT “shows effects on pain and functioning comparable to standard medical care for pain.” CBT is especially helpful in helping patients overcome pain catastrophizing.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Mbsr)

Mbsr teaches you to manage chronic pain ((Sturgeon, J. A. (2014). Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 7, 115–124. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S44762)) by using mindfulness meditation to separate the sensory feelings of pain from its emotional aspects. Like CBT, this method teaches you to reframe your thoughts around pain. You’ll also learn to become more aware of bodily sensations and to accept your current situation, whatever it may be.

Some meditation sessions can help participants learn not to catastrophize pain through exposure therapy. In these sessions, patients experience painful sensations, but without catastrophic consequences. This can help you increase your ability to tolerate negative emotions so you can have a better response to pain. Mbsr can also help with co-occurring conditions like depression and anxiety.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT teaches patients to respond non-judgmentally to negative or intrusive thoughts surrounding chronic pain, ((Sturgeon, J. A. (2014). Psychological therapies for the management of chronic pain. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 7, 115–124. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S44762)) rather than changing the negative thoughts themselves. In ACT, patients learn to acknowledge thoughts and emotions without judgment, and to accept them. They learn to focus on adjusting their behavior, as opposed to figuring out how to minimize thoughts around pain and reducing the pain itself.

Why Attend Rehab for Chronic Pain?

People with chronic pain are more likely to have other co-occurring disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can be extremely beneficial to have a team of experts all working together to treat all of your mental and physical conditions at once, especially if you do have another condition. For example, several studies show that treatment for chronic pain is less effective if the patient also has depression. ((Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Managing Chronic Pain in Adults With or in Recovery From Substance Use Disorders. Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series 54. HHS Publication No. (SMA) 12-4671. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011)) Addressing all of your conditions means you can heal fully.

Having a team of treatment professionals who are in contact with each other means you won’t need to re-explain your issues in every session. Instead, you can focus on healing while your primary therapist tracks and adjusts your treatment plan.

Community is also important to recovery. While pain may make you feel isolated from loved ones, being around people with similar experiences can help you feel less alone. This social support allows you to help each other heal, and create new relationships with people who understand your reality.

Chronic Pain and Substance Use Disorders

Because of the emotional distress it causes, chronic pain can contribute to (or even cause) substance use disorders ((Abuse, N. I. on D. (–). Part 2: Co-occurring substance use disorder and physical comorbidities. National Institute on Drug Abuse. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/common-comorbidities-substance-use-disorders/part-2-co-occurring-substance-use-disorder-physical-comorbidities)) (SUDs). Opioid addiction, in particular, is the most common of these. About 10% of people with chronic pain misuse opioids, and this may be due to changes in the brain that arise from chronic pain and the constant stress that comes with it.

Fortunately, there are many options for managing chronic pain without the use of opioids. ((CDC. (2021, June 11). Safely and effectively managing pain without opioids. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/featured-topics/pain-management.html)) These include over-the-counter pain medications (like ibuprofen), physical therapy, and alternative therapies like acupuncture or massage. If you’ve been using prescription opioids to manage chronic pain, your doctor or other qualified professional (including your treatment team in rehab) can help you explore alternative options.

Finding Happiness While Living With Pain

While chronic pain is no doubt difficult to deal with, you can get help for all of your symptoms—both physical and emotional. And if you decide to attend rehab, you can work on these issues at the same time and place, and learn to manage your pain in a way that feels healthy for you.

Find the support you need today—visit our directory of pain management rehabs to see program details, read reviews, take a virtual tour, and more.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

Everyone deals with trauma differently. At times, experiencing traumatic events can develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although this disorder may feel isolating, remember that many people are diagnosed with PTSD—probably more than you realize. And because of this, there are so many different resources available that can help you along your recovery process.

Rehab is one of those resources. Attending a treatment center can help you process your emotions and feelings related to the trauma you’ve experienced, and to learn to cope with them in a healthy way.

Finding a rehab that treats PTSD can be an effective and supportive place to begin your recovery journey.

What is PTSD?

PTSD is a disorder that develops in response to a traumatic event. ((Ptsd basics – ptsd: National center for ptsd. (n.d.). [General Information]. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/what/ptsd_basics.asp)) Symptoms from PTSD may develop soon after the trauma occurred, but can also arise months or even years later. You may have PTSD if you have any of the symptoms below and notice that they last longer than 4 weeks, are extremely stressful, and significantly affect your life.

The symptoms of PTSD include (but aren’t limited to) the following:

• Reliving the event: This may involve nightmares or flashbacks, especially when a trigger is present. A trigger is something that reminds you of the event, such as a loud noise or seeing an accident similar to the one you experienced, that elicits a strong emotional reaction.
• Avoiding anything or anyone that reminds you of the event.
• Experiencing intrusive thoughts and emotions on a consistent basis after the event: For example, you may feel guilt or shame, lose interest in things you once enjoyed, or feel numb.
• Feeling on edge: You may feel you have to be “ready for anything” and find it difficult to sleep, concentrate, or may be easily startled.

It may feel daunting to realize that you might have PTSD. However, know that it’s not just you—according to the National Center for PTSD, PTSD in adults is not rare. ((How common is ptsd in adults? – Ptsd: national center for ptsd. (n.d.). [General Information]. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand/common/common_adults.asp)) They estimate that 6 of every 100 people will be diagnosed with PTSD during their life.

The Many Treatment Options for PTSD

Trauma-informed care approaches treatment with a focus on trauma. This may look different from patient to patient, but the idea is that providers understand the nature of trauma and take that into account during treatment.

Trauma-specialized rehabs also offer trauma-specific therapies, which are very effective for PTSD. ((Ptsd treatment basics – ptsd: National center for ptsd. (n.d.). [General Information]. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/understand_tx/tx_basics.asp)) These therapies center the patient’s attention on the memory or meaning of the traumatic event, and may use visualization, talking, or thinking to help you work through the experience.

Exposure therapy, eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and cognitive processing therapy are the most popular treatment options for PTSD. However, there are several other options, and your treatment provider can help you choose which will work the best for you.

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

During PE, patients learn to face uncomfortable feelings in order to gain control over their experience. Patients will discuss any traumatic experiences with a counselor, as well as participate in events they’ve avoided related to the event. This treatment is highly effective for PTSD ((Watkins, L. E., Sprang, K. R., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2018). Treating ptsd: A review of evidence-based psychotherapy interventions. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 12, 258. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258)) according to research—one meta analysis found that 41-95% of people who participated in PE no longer had PTSD symptoms by the end of treatment. Another study discovered that PTSD symptoms significantly lessened in people who had PE during treatment, as compared to supportive counseling, relaxation training, medication, and “treatment as usual.” Because PE can provoke feelings of anxiety, you should only do it with a trained professional.

Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

EDMR has the patient think about the traumatic experience while performing lateral eye movements, ((van den Hout, M. A., & Engelhard, I. M. (2012). How does EMDR work? Journal of Experimental Psychopathology, 3(5), 724–738. https://doi.org/10.5127/jep.028212)) usually by following a light or the therapist’s finger. This helps move traumatic memories into long-term storage, so that when they’re brought up, patients are less activated. The goal of EMDR is to minimize the vividness and emotion that results from these thoughts.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

CPT teaches patients to challenge and change their negative thoughts surrounding the traumatic event through talk therapy and writing assignments. CPT treatment shows a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms ((Watkins, L. E., Sprang, K. R., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2018). Treating ptsd: A review of evidence-based psychotherapy interventions. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 12, 258. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258)) in several different samples of veterans, sexual assault survivors, and others with PTSD. These statistics remained similar during 5 and 10-year follow ups.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

In CBT, patients reframe their thoughts and feelings from negative to more positive, and learn healthy coping skills and strategies to manage them in the future. One study determined that PTSD patients using CBT in their treatment plan ((Watkins, L. E., Sprang, K. R., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2018). Treating ptsd: A review of evidence-based psychotherapy interventions. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 12, 258. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258)) worked better than supportive therapy or self-help booklets.

Written Narrative Exposure (WNE)

Patients write about the trauma they’ve experienced and discuss it with a therapist afterwards.

Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP)

This approach helps the patient adjust negative emotions to help relieve them of shame and guilt. In addition to talk therapy, patients may learn relaxation skills, write about their traumatic experience, and even work through a ritual to help them leave the traumatic event in the past and start over.

Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET)

Patients craft a story consisting of stressful events that occurred in their lives. This therapy is often used with people who experienced war, conflict, or violence.

Medications

Antidepressant medications known as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and SNRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors) help patients experiencing PTSD. There are 4 prescribed medications commonly used for PTSD:

• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Potential Causes of PTSD

Not everyone is affected by trauma in the same way. For example, 2 people can have the same experience, but one may develop PTSD while the other doesn’t.

People can develop PTSD from many different stressful situations or events. Combat veterans and survivors of sexual trauma and intimate partner violence may be more likely to develop PTSD. People that have witnessed or been in a serious accident or catastrophic event may find themselves feeling differently afterwards, and be unable to process what happened to them.

While your experience is unique, remember that other people have gone through similar situations. You may find support by surrounding yourself with others who share your experience, and finding a rehab with a specialized PTSD program can help you connect with them in treatment.

The Link Between PTSD and Addiction

Trauma is strongly correlated with drug and alcohol addiction. ((International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Traumatic Stress and Substance Abuse Problems. [Pamphlet]. https://istss.org/ISTSS_Main/media/Documents/ISTSS_TraumaStressandSubstanceAbuseProb_English_FNL.pdf)) People who experienced traumatic events in their lifetimes are more likely to use drugs and alcohol as a way to deal with the negative thoughts and feelings that arise from the experience. And unfortunately, substance abuse only worsens the problem.

Some studies found that the relationship between substance use and PTSD ((Khoury, L., Tang, Y. L., Bradley, B., Cubells, J. F., & Ressler, K. J. (2010). Substance use, childhood traumatic experience, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in an urban civilian population. Depression and Anxiety, 27(12), 1077–1086. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.20751)) was significantly high in adolescents. Additionally, experiencing trauma in adolescence can heighten your stress response. This trauma can elevate plasma cortisol levels, making it more likely that they may develop PTSD and other conditions.

However, substance use can actually make the effects of PTSD much worse. It can increase emotional numbing, depression, anxiety, and more. If you have both a substance use disorder and PTSD, you may want to find a rehab that specializes in co-occurring disorders.

How PTSD Can Affect Your Life and Relationships

Some people with PTSD struggle with family and friendships, ((Relationships – ptsd: National center for ptsd. (n.d.). [General Information]. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/family/effect_relationships.asp)) even if they had trusting relationships in the past. People may avoid closeness with others to avoid negative feelings, or being reminded of the event by someone who was present at the time. Close relationships may feel downright dangerous, as many trauma survivors feel a need to be on guard. On the contrary, people may also go in the opposite direction and lean heavily on their loved ones.

If you’re going through this, don’t worry—most people are able to restore their relationships to where they were before the trauma occurred. And whether you’re avoiding closeness or depending on others too much, the right treatment can help you learn to mitigate these situations in a healthy way so you can feel more at ease with your loved ones. It may even be helpful to attend therapy with one of these people, and to consider marital or family counseling.

The Differences Between PTSD and CPTSD

Complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) ((Complex ptsd – ptsd: National center for ptsd. (n.d.). [General Information]. Retrieved from https://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/treat/essentials/complex_ptsd.asp#subone)) is similar to PTSD, with some slight differences. CPTSD might arise from exposure to repeated traumatic events over a longer duration of time, such as survivors of childhood or sexual abuse, or veterans that were deployed on active duty for longer periods of time.

According to Dr. Judith Herman of Harvard University, CPTSD symptoms include the following:

• Behavioral issues
• Emotional suffering
• Cognitive difficulties
• Interpersonal problems
• Somatization (physical reactions to stress)

While CPTSD isn’t yet officially recognized, many clinicians treat it as a serious condition. Other disorders also often occur alongside CPTSD, such as addiction, dissociation, borderline personality disorder, and sleep problems. Fortunately, the treatments for CPTSD also help treat these issues.

Empower Yourself to Move Past Your Trauma

Although PTSD can feel debilitating at times, you can move forward with your recovery. Be gentle with yourself as you focus on healing. This isn’t the time to push yourself too hard—instead, try to remember how far you’ve come.

Dealing with past trauma isn’t easy. You’ll have good days and bad days, and that’s completely normal. The right treatment can help you develop the skills and coping strategies to manage the bad ones in a healthy, positive way.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help–it’ll be there when you need it.

To learn more about treatment options and see information on pricing, insurance, special programs, and more, see our directory of centers offering PTSD treatment near you.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod

Schizophrenia is a very serious mental illness that can affect how you think, feel, and behave. If you have this diagnosis, you or those around you may feel as though you have lost touch with reality. These symptoms can make it difficult to access the care you need to begin recovery. Fortunately, many rehab centers are equipped to treat schizophrenia.

Untreated schizophrenia can have disabling long-term effects. But with a coordinated plan of care, you can still engage in school or work, achieve or maintain your independence, and enjoy personal relationships. In order to begin recovery, you can learn more about your illness, its impact on your life, and which types of treatment are currently available.

Choosing a Treatment Approach

It can be overwhelming to receive this diagnosis. Schizophrenia is often unfairly maligned, although those views are changing with time. And despite the associated stigma, appropriate treatment can empower you to manage your symptoms and live a fulfilling life.

Because the symptoms of schizophrenia often appear in early adulthood, ((Gogtay, N., Vyas, N. S., Testa, R., Wood, S. J., & Pantelis, C. (2011). Age of onset of schizophrenia: Perspectives from structural neuroimaging studies. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 37(3), 504–513. https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbr030)) many patients benefit from developing certain life skills in addition to receiving medical care. Rehabilitation often involves education, career training, and practicing good self-care habits.

A positive outlook is essential to achieving and maintaining stability. Remember that a diagnosis of schizophrenia doesn’t mean your life is over. You deserve care and compassion. A good-quality rehab program will guide you through addressing challenges while recognizing and supporting your many personal strengths. There are a number of ways to approach this process of recovery; what’s important is choosing an option that suits your unique needs.

Antipsychotic Medications

Antipsychotic medications, ((Mental health medications. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-medications)) such as risperidone (Risperdal) ((Risperidone: Medlineplus drug information. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a694015.html)) or olanzapine (Zyprexa), ((Olanzapine: Medlineplus drug information. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601213.html)) are commonly prescribed for schizophrenia. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), these medications are used to treat patients who have experienced “some loss of contact with reality.” Some symptoms, like hallucinations, should abate within days of starting an antipsychotic. Other symptoms may take weeks to resolve, even if the drug is taken as directed. If you’ve been diagnosed with schizophrenia, your prescribing doctor will likely recommend that you take medication on an ongoing basis, even after completing treatment for an acute episode.

Art Therapy

In art therapy, you can process difficult emotions and experiences through creative expression. This modality may help you get in touch with your feelings and make sense of your inner world.

Because art therapy can include nonverbal expression, ((Schizophrenic communication | diginole. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu%3A181652/datastream)) this technique can help people with schizophrenia practice communication skills in a low-stakes environment. The act of creation can strengthen your sense of self, while the art you produce invites you to relate with other people in a new way. According to one study, art therapy can alleviate some symptoms of schizophrenia ((Teglbjaerg, H. S. (2011). Art therapy may reduce psychopathology in schizophrenia by strengthening the patients’ sense of self: A qualitative extended case report. Psychopathology, 44(5), 314–318. https://doi.org/10.1159/000325025)) in some people.

Talk Therapy

Talk therapy can help you cope with hallucinations or delusions in a healthier way. Many experts recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a treatment for schizophrenia. ((CBT for schizophrenia: Does it work, benefits, and more. (2022, January 11). https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/cbt-for-schizophrenia))

CBT works by helping you to identify the thought patterns that cause your unwanted feelings and behaviors. You can then use specific tools to challenge these thought patterns and eventually work towards more beneficial, actionable thoughts.

Family Therapy

Family members are an important source of support for people with any mental health diagnosis. And a wealth of data supports the importance of family therapy as a treatment for schizophrenia, ((Caqueo-Urízar, A., Rus-Calafell, M., Urzúa, A., Escudero, J., & Gutiérrez-Maldonado, J. (2015). The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: Challenges and solutions. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 11, 145–151. https://doi.org/10.2147/NDT.S51331)) in particular. Many rehab programs offer family therapy—and some define “family” broadly, inviting chosen family members to participate in the process.

In this type of therapy, you’ll meet with a trained therapist as a group, and may also have individual sessions. These are opportunities to discuss your condition and explore solutions that may help you and your family work towards remission.

In order to maximize your health outcomes and reduce the impact of your illness on your day-to-day functionality, it’s important to maintain a strong support network. The more your friends and family understand your diagnosis, the better equipped they’ll be to help you heal. Although it can go into remission, schizophrenia is a lifelong condition. If you and your loved ones work together, you can make an even more sustainable plan for ongoing care.

Causes of Schizophrenia

This illness is a severe, chronic diagnosis characterized by disturbances in thought, perception and behavior. Schizophrenia affects approximately 24 million people, ((Schizophrenia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/schizophrenia)) which is 0.32% of the global population.

As scientists seek to pin down its causes, this condition is the subject of plenty of research. Although anyone can develop it, researchers believe schizophrenia may be linked to the following factors: ((Schizophrenia. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia))

• Genetics: It’s thought that schizophrenia may run in families. However, there is currently no means of using genetic information to predict occurrences of schizophrenia.
• Environment: Environmental factors such as poverty, acute stress, and prenatal malnutrition may cause or exacerbate this illness.
• Brain structure and function: Schizophrenia is linked to differences in brain structure, function, and neurochemical interactions. More research is needed to determine why these differences occur.

Understanding the symptoms and causes of schizophrenia is the first step in learning to manage your illness. A serious condition like schizophrenia can impact your life in many different ways.

Effects of Schizophrenia

Because this is a chronic condition, you can expect to have the diagnosis for the rest of your life. Despite this, it’s important to note that schizophrenia can go into remission. ((Yeomans, D., Taylor, M., Currie, A., Whale, R., Ford, K., Fear, C., Hynes, J., Sullivan, G., Moore, B., & Burns, T. (2010). Resolution and remission in schizophrenia: Getting well and staying well. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment, 16(2), 86–95. https://doi.org/10.1192/apt.bp.108.006411)) According to one group of experts, “research suggests that remission can be achieved in 20–60% of people with schizophrenia.”

Even if you achieve remission, you’ll likely need ongoing support. To plan for ongoing care, you can start by learning about the most common difficulties people with schizophrenia face. This may empower you to build a support network of loved ones and mental health professionals with the expertise you’ll need if acute symptoms arise.

Relationships

A schizophrenia diagnosis doesn’t only affect the person with this condition. It often ripples outward, having a noticeable impact on your spouse, family, friends, and colleagues. Family therapy isn’t just intended to heal your relationships; it can also help your loved ones cope with their experience.

Because the illness can lead to lower self-esteem and isolation, and also because of the heavy stigma associated with a diagnosis, many people identify personal relationships as the biggest area of their lives impacted by schizophrenia. ((Budziszewska, M. D., Babiuch-Hall, M., & Wielebska, K. (2020). Love and romantic relationships in the voices of patients who experience psychosis: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 570928. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.570928)) In one survey, 27% of people with schizophrenia said that they had experienced discrimination from romantic and sexual partners on the basis of their diagnosis, and over half expected it to occur.

“Schizophrenia makes it hard for people to form close bonds,” says Dost Öngür, MD, Director of the Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder Research Program at McLean Fernside in Princeton, Massachusetts.

Social support is crucial for people with schizophrenia. ((Fan, C.-H., Hsu, S.-C., Hsiao, F.-H., Chang, C.-M., Liu, C.-Y., Lai, Y.-M., & Chen, Y.-T. (2021). The association of social support and symptomatic remission among community-dwelling schizophrenia patients: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 3977. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083977)) According to one study, “schizophrenia patients with higher frequencies of social interaction are more likely to achieve symptomatic remission.” Another found that being married or living with someone long term even had positive outcomes on employment ((Holm, M., Taipale, H., Tanskanen, A., Tiihonen, J., & Mitterdorfer‐Rutz, E. (2021). Employment among people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: A population‐based study using nationwide registers. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 143(1), 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13254)) in people with this diagnosis.

Employment

Schizophrenia can interfere with your professional goals. With untreated symptoms, it can be incredibly difficult to complete your education or job training, and to function in the workplace on a day to day basis.

Data shows that people with schizophrenia may experience a decline in employment ((Holm, M., Taipale, H., Tanskanen, A., Tiihonen, J., & Mitterdorfer‐Rutz, E. (2021). Employment among people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: A population‐based study using nationwide registers. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 143(1), 61–71. https://doi.org/10.1111/acps.13254)) after being diagnosed. This can mean reduced hours or a lower position. Some patients stop working entirely, and instead make use of disability benefits.

Several characteristics are linked to a higher employment rate after diagnosis, including a high level of education, older age at the first registered diagnosis, fewer previous hospitalizations, and an absence of substance use issues.

Schizophrenia and Substance Use Disorders

Substance use complicates the process of diagnosing and treating schizophrenia. If you are struggling with addiction alongside schizophrenia, you’re not alone. Substance abuse disorders are up to 5 times higher in people with schizophrenia ((Menne, V., & Chesworth, R. (2020). Schizophrenia and drug addiction comorbidity: Recent advances in our understanding of behavioural susceptibility and neural mechanisms. Neuroanatomy and Behaviour, 2, e10–e10. https://doi.org/10.35430/nab.2020.e10)) than the general population.

Addiction occurs in nearly 50% of people with schizophrenia, and presents with a wide range of drug classes (e.g. smoking, cannabinoids, alcohol, stimulants, etc). In addition to complicating diagnosis and treatment, it can also exacerbate patients’ symptoms.

If you’re struggling with schizophrenia and addiction, treatment for both conditions should happen concurrently. Ask centers you’re considering if they offer specialized treatment for co-occurring disorders.

Creating a Brighter Future

There is no cure for schizophrenia. But with the right treatment, healthy habits, and a solid support network, you can still lead a rewarding life with less chance of a severe relapse.

Schizophrenia is one of the most heavily stigmatized mental illnesses, subject to a great deal of misinformation. But cultural norms are shifting towards more acceptance. You are more than your diagnosis and your illness. Because your healing process will be unique, just like you, it’s important to find a treatment program that’s tailored to meet your specific needs.

Discover treatment centers across the U.S. that specialize in this condition and see information on pricing, insurance, occupancy, and more in our schizophrenia rehab directory.

Reviewed by Rajnandini Rathod