This is why you shouldn't be a night owl

Early to bed and early to rise will give you a healthy mind, driving away schizophrenia and depression, finds a study. Here are research-backed ways to manage schizophrenia successfully.

Written By: Editorial Team | Published : January 31, 2019 9:37 PM IST

While scientists are trying to unravel the causes of schizophrenia and its possible treatment options, a new study published in Nature Communications has revealed that waking up early in the morning can lower the risk of developing schizophrenia and depression. It further points out that your genes decide whether you are a morning person or a night owl.

WHAT IS SCHIZOPHRENIA?

Well, it is a mental disorder that affects a person s ability to think clearly, manage emotions, make decisions and relate to others. People suffering from this condition experience hallucinations, delusions, and other cognitive difficulties. Though schizophrenia can occur at any stage of life, men in their late teens and early 20s and women in their late 20s and early 30s are more at risk of developing the condition.

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WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

In most of the cases, people do not even know that they have had schizophrenia for many years because the symptoms develop very slowly. However, in few cases, it strikes all of a sudden and the signs are visible quite quickly. blows out of proportion quite quickly.

Hallucinations: These are defined as sensations and experiences which can t be perceived by others. People with schizophrenia experience auditory, visual, olfactory, and tactile hallucinations that include a person seeing things, hearing voices, smelling things, or feeling movement in his body that cannot be comprehended by others. The hallucination is very real and vivid to the person experiencing it. However, it is confusing for people witnessing it. The voices that a person listens during hallucination can be critical or threatening involving people that are known or unknown to the person hearing them.

Delusions: These are false beliefs that indicate an abnormality in the affected person's content of thought. However, his beliefs don t change and are not accounted for by his cultural or religious background or his or her level of intelligence. In addition to this, people with delusion face problems in concentrating and have confused thinking.

Being emotionally flat: People with this condition speak in a dull and disconnected way. They are emotionally unstable and have little interest in life or relationships. These symptoms are sometimes confused with clinical depression by the doctors.

Cognitive issues: Cognitive issues like struggle in remember things, completing tasks, and organizing thoughts are seen in those suffering from schizophrenia. Moreover, these people have lack of insight which means that they are unaware about their condition. This makes it difficult for others to treat or work with them.

MANAGING SCHIZOPHRENIA

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There is no cure for schizophrenia yet. However, there are reams of research that suggest successful ways of managing the condition.

Control your blood sugar level: A study published in the PLOS Biology journal has shown an association between impaired insulin signalling in the brain and schizophrenia-like behaviours. Therefore, it is advised to eat a low glucose level diet if you have schizophrenia. This clearly means you need to avoid sugar and refined carbohydrates. Also, coffee, tea, alcohol and energy drinks should be avoided as these are known as mild stimulants.

Increase your daily intake of essential omega-3: A 2010 study published in Nature Communications journal has revealed that omega-3 supplements can protect you against schizophrenia. Therefore, one should eat omega-3 rich foods including fish, walnuts, flaxseed, basil, eggs, soybeans, spinach and many more.

Increase antioxidants in your diet: A study published in the journal Neuron has revealed that it may be possible to head off schizophrenia with antioxidants in some cases. So, to keep schizophrenia at bay, ensure you are getting antioxidants in proper amounts. For that, you need to add lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in your daily diet along with supplements including 2,000 mg of vitamin C, taken in two divided doses and 300mg of vitamin E every day. Also, you are advised to avoid smoking as it can increase your oxidant load.

Get enough vitamin B: A study published in the Psychological Medicine has revealed that vitamin B can significantly reduce symptoms of schizophrenia more than standard treatments alone. Notably, a deficiency of vitamin B12 may lead to increased levels of homocysteine, a blood marker for schizophrenia. If it is elevated, then you are at a higher risk of the condition. Therefore, it is advised to add vitamin B rich foods in your diet including whole grains, meat, eggs, nuts, fruits, and so on.

Go gluten-free: According to a study published in the British Journal of Medicine, gluten intolerance is linked to schizophrenia. Therefore, those who are intolerant to gluten-containing foods including wheat, rye, barley, and many more, should stay away from it.

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