Schizophrenia Specialist

Latif Ziyar, MD Our Services Schizophrenia
Latif Ziyar, MD - - Psychiatrist

Latif Ziyar, MD

Psychiatrist located in Fresno, CA

Schizophrenia is a complex and long-term mental health condition that affects about 1% of Americans. Licensed psychiatrist Latif Ziyar, MD, diagnoses and treats schizophrenia in patients age 7 and older at his private practice in Fresno, California. For compassionate and comprehensive treatment of schizophrenia, call or book an appointment online today.

Schizophrenia Q & A

What is schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia is a serious mental health disorder that affects the way you think, feel, and behave. People with schizophrenia may seem disconnected from reality and show a combination of hallucinations, delusions, and disordered thinking that interferes with daily functioning.

What are the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia?

Schizophrenia causes a range of symptoms that affect emotions, thinking, and behavior. Though signs and symptoms of schizophrenia vary, they typically include:

Delusions

Delusions are false beliefs that aren’t based on facts or reality. Common examples of delusions include:

  • Believing you have superpowers
  • Believing that certain comments or gestures are directed at you
  • Believing you’re being harmed or controlled by external forces
  • Believing a major catastrophe is about to occur

Most people with schizophrenia experience delusions.

Hallucinations

Hallucinations may involve seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, or feeling things that don’t exist. Though hallucinations can affect all the senses, hearing voices is the most common type.

Disorganized thinking

People with schizophrenia often have trouble organizing their thoughts and remembering things. Severely impaired thinking may cause a person with schizophrenia to string together sentences with unrelated, meaningless words, sometimes called “word salad.”

Negative symptoms

These symptoms involve disruptions to normal behaviors and emotions. Examples of negative symptoms include:

  • Speaking in monotone
  • Not changing facial expressions
  • Not making eye contact
  • Neglecting personal hygiene
  • Loss of interest in pleasurable activities

Signs and symptoms of schizophrenia vary in type and severity, and often involve periods of remission over time.

How is schizophrenia diagnosed and treated?

To diagnose schizophrenia, Dr. Ziyar begins with a comprehensive physical exam. He may take tests to rule out conditions that cause similar symptoms, like drug or alcohol abuse. He then conducts a complete psychological evaluation, including a discussion of the patient’s personal and family medical history.

Schizophrenia is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment. Dr. Ziyar treats schizophrenia with a combination of psychotherapy and medication management. He may also recommend supplementary programs, like social skills training or vocational rehabilitation, to help the patient function in daily life. If symptoms become extreme, schizophrenia may require hospitalization.

For expert psychiatric care of schizophrenia, call the office of Latif Ziyar, M.D., Inc, or book an appointment online today.

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