Philadelphia’s Leading Schizophrenia Hospital

Learn about schizophrenia treatment at Belmont Behavioral Health System in Philadelphia, PA

Schizophrenia, a mental health disorder, can have an extremely negative impact on one’s ability to live a life that is happy, healthy, and productive. This disorder causes individuals to experience symptoms including delusions and hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, and a lack of emotional expression. This mental health condition can interfere with an individual’s attempts to function in a social, academic, and occupational setting, as well as within all other settings he or she might find him- or herself in throughout his or her life. Schizophrenia can cause individuals to find it hard (if not impossible) to tell the difference between what is real and what is a hallucination or delusion. Those who struggle with schizophrenia can suffer from frustration, confusion, and vulnerability. Additionally, they might also have difficulty communicating the impact that their symptoms are having.

At Belmont Behavioral Health System, a schizophrenia treatment center in Philadelphia, we know just how troubling the symptoms of schizophrenia can be, and how severely they can impact an individual’s life. Through our team of professionals, we can supply care that is based on experience in working with individuals who battle with this specific disorder, and we are ready to offer well-rounded treatment to help relieve individuals from the symptoms that they are battling. Our goal is to provide each patient with a more productive, stable life.

Helping a loved one get treatment for schizophrenia

When a loved one is afflicted with schizophrenia, it can be difficult to manage – in many cases, unbearable and devastating. However, it is critical that you do not begin to view your loved one’s condition as hopeless, as there are numerous ways to help him or her:

• Obtain as much information about schizophrenia as you can. By doing so, you will be better able to understand what your loved one is going through and can begin to provide effective support to him or her.
• Find out what types of care are required to help your loved one, as well as where he or she can obtain this care. Encourage him or her to seek treatment to better improve upon his or her condition.
• Speak openly and honestly with your loved one regarding your concerns about his or her wellbeing. Be sure to do so in a calm, non-threatening manner so that he or she does not feel attacked.
• Let your loved one know that you are there to support him or her by offering your services to provide transportation to appointments, help apply his or her insurance to his or her care, go to meetings with him or her, and more.
• Practice good self-care. While this might sound unnecessary, it is likely the most important thing you can do for yourself when helping a loved one who has schizophrenia. Attend support groups or seek therapy for yourself, and remember to care for yourself physically and emotionally.
• Work with professionals to help manage the expectations you have of your loved one’s progress, as well as your own. It is important to remain realistic during the process of treatment so that your expectations can be accurate.

Keep in mind that getting treatment for schizophrenia is simply one step in the process of learning how to live with symptoms of this condition. It is likely that your loved one will experience both success and setbacks. Be prepared to continue to support him or her as he or she makes strides in treatment. This process is continual, and your support should be as well.

Why consider treatment for schizophrenia at Belmont Behavioral Health System in Philadelphia, PA

When schizophrenia goes without treatment, an individual can suffer from impaired communication skills and distorted perceptions. Also, someone who has schizophrenia can also see an increase in family conflict, issues with friends, problems with co-workers and strangers, and more. Social isolation also becomes a risk factor for an individual facing this mental health condition. Untreated schizophrenia can cause an individual to struggle with maintaining or obtaining employment, which can cause him or her to suffer from financial problems. Additionally, schizophrenia can lead to an increase in suicidal behaviors and ideation, as well as self-harm. Despite the many negative effects that can develop when an individual does not obtain treatment for schizophrenia, they can be prevented or decreased when treatment is appropriately sought and implemented.

Types of schizophrenia treatment offered at Belmont Behavioral Health System in Philadelphia, PA

Belmont Behavioral Health System is an inpatient and outpatient treatment center where adult men and women ages 18 and above can receive comprehensive and compassionate care for a wide range of emotional and behavioral health issues, including schizophrenia.

Men and women who are being treated for schizophrenia at Belmont Behavioral Health System, a hospital for schizophrenia treatment in Philadelphia, will work in close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams of experienced professionals. Our staff features board-certified psychiatrists, internal medicine physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, mental health therapists, activity therapists, and mental health technicians.

We place a premium on providing personalized care that has been customized to address the specific strengths, needs, and treatment goals of each person who heals with us. As a result, no two patients will have identical treatment experiences at our treatment center. Depending upon the specifics of a patient’s individualized plan, his or her treatment may feature the following elements:

Medication management: Prescription medications have proved to be quite effective in alleviating symptoms associated with certain mental health disorders at our hospital, including schizophrenia. In order to ensure that all patients have the optimal opportunity for a successful treatment experience, we may incorporate medications into treatment plans when clinically appropriate. Patients whose treatment includes prescription medications will meet with a psychiatrist on a daily basis, and may also receive medication management services from members of our nursing staff.

Individual therapy: All patients, including those who are being treated for schizophrenia, will have the opportunity to participate in individual therapy sessions during their time in treatment at our hospital for schizophrenia. These one-on-one sessions between a patient and either a psychiatrist or mental health clinician allow the patient to process issues related to his or her treatment, address topics that he or she may be hesitant or unwilling to bring up in a group setting, and receive invaluable feedback from an experience professional. Individual therapy sessions at our treatment center are scheduled on an as-needed basis to ensure that all patients receive this form of therapy at the frequency that is most appropriate for them.

Group therapy: Group therapy is a fundamental element of treatment at our hospital. Patients who are being treated for schizophrenia will have the opportunity to attend multiple group therapy sessions every day. These sessions, which will be led by mental health clinicians, activity therapists, registered nurses, or mental health technicians, are excellent opportunities for patients to learn from the insights and experiences of others, share their own thoughts, and practice skills such as giving and receiving support, expressing empathy, and communicating effectively. Types of group therapy sessions that are available at our schizophrenia treatment center include process groups, activity therapy groups, educational groups, and didactic groups.

Experiential therapy: As its name suggests, experiential therapy occurs in a more immersive and hands-on environment than do more traditional forms of talk therapy. At our hospital, we provide patients with a variety of experiential therapy opportunities through which they can continue to make progress while discovering new ways to express themselves and/or learn healthier ways to fill their leisure hours. Our experiential therapy offerings include expressive arts therapy, recreation therapy, and music therapy. These sessions are scheduled on an individualized basis to ensure that each patient receives the type and frequency of experiential therapy that best meets his or her unique needs.

Family support services: At our treatment center, we are well aware of the degree to which an individual’s struggles with schizophrenia can impact close friends, family members, and other loved ones. We are also cognizant of the essential role that loved ones can play in an individual’s recovery, both during and after his or her time in treatment. As a result, we provide patients and family members with the opportunity to schedule family meetings or family therapy sessions on an as-needed basis. These sessions, which are led by a mental health clinician, provide a structured and supportive environment in which family members can address how they have been affected by the patient’s mental health problems, heal intrafamilial rifts and strengthen family bonds, and learn how to develop the skills that allow them to provide the best possible support for their loved one.

Discharge planning: Planning for a patient’s discharge and ensuring that he or she has the ongoing support that he or she needs begins the day that the patient enters our treatment center. When a patient has completed his or her time with us, he or she will have a thorough plan that identifies the services and resources that will put him or her in the best position to maintain and improve upon the progress that he or she made while in treatment for schizophrenia.

At our treatment center in Philadelphia, we are dedicated to providing the focused, personalized care that will best prepare our patients who have been struggling with schizophrenia to experience continued success both during and after their time in treatment with us. For more information about our services, or for answers to specific questions about how we may be prepared to serve you or someone you love, please do not hesitate to contact us at your convenience. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you to make the most informed decision.