112 Schizophrenia: Recognizing the Early Symptoms

TRIGGER WARNING: Please note that this episode contains a discussion of suicide, self-injurious behavior, depression and/or reference of other mental health disorders that may act as triggers.

https://302.buzz/PM-WhatAreYourThoughts

No one expected it. How could you? I mean, he was doing so well. Taking the meds, socially engaged. Everything seemed fine….. But one day in February something went wrong. Dr. Colleen Kraft makes a second appearance on the podcast, but this time, she walks us through her very personal journey of how schizophrenia has affected her family as well as her, as a mother. It’s difficult to hear, but it’s something that will stay with you for a very long time. Dr. Elise Falluco, one of the foremost leading pediatric psychiatrists, helps shed light on this mental illness that 24 million people deal with every day. Our host, Dr. Lia Gaggino gets the hard truth to some hard questions. Listen in as 3 of the most accomplished medical professionals in the United States discuss this often-stigmatized mental illness, schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia:

Noun PSYCHIATRY

1. a long-term mental disorder of a type involving a breakdown in the relation between thought, emotion, and behavior, leading to faulty perception, inappropriate actions and feelings, withdrawal from reality and personal relationships into fantasy and delusion, and a sense of mental fragmentation.

• (in general use) a mentality or approach characterized by inconsistent or contradictory elements.
• "Gibraltar's schizophrenia continues to be fed by colonial pride"

[00:30 -15:37] Opening Segment

• The back story on Dr. Falluco and Dr Kraft and what led them to wanting to work with children
• Dr. Falluco talks about (her son), Tim’s schizophrenia diagnosis
• 33% diagnosed schizophrenics are treatment resistant
• If 33% of cancer patients were treatment resistant, we would be demanding new and better treatment

[15:38 - 24:46] What are the early signs to look out for?

• No longer cares about appearance, gets tired, sleep disrupted, apathy, stops bathing, etc.
• Psychosis sometimes masquerades as depression
• The difference between the child who has an “imaginary friend” and a child that is not developmentally typical
• Most common scenario: parents bring their child to the doctor because the child was found talking to themselves.

[24:47 - 34:16] How to Ask the hard questions

• The question that will determine “True Psychosis” vs “Psychotic Like Experiences”
• Why headphones might be a red flag?
• How to get past the stigma

[34:17 - 59:13] What causes Schizophrenia?

• Medications and treatments currently being researched
• How much do genetics factor into diagnosing schizophrenia
• Making the distinction between bipolar and psychosis
• We need to change the language that is associated with schizophrenia (i.e. “Psychotic Killer”, Schizophrenic Criminal”)

[59:14 - 1:08:56] Closing segment Takeaway

You can reach Dr. Colleen Kraft

Instagram: @docmom3460

Linkedin: Colleen Kraft | LinkedIn

You can reach Dr. Elise Falluco

Linkedin: