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Schizophrenia2019-06-21T09:55:28+02:00

Project Description

Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a chronic (long-term) psychotic (loss of touch with reality) disorder. It can be hereditary, occur on its own or be precipitated by substance abuse, especially cannabis. These predisposing factors cause ‘misfirings’ in the brain causing you to experience things that are not real. Features of schizophrenia may include hearing voices that other people do not hear, seeing things that other people do not see or having magical ideas (for example that you possess special powers) or paranoid ideas (a family member is trying to poison you). As the thoughts get more ‘jumbled’, you become completely consumed by your own thoughts and lose touch with your own world. This often causes a major decline in functioning and causes you to act on these ‘odd’ thoughts or voices.

People may experience:

  • Aggression, agitation, excitability, hostility, social isolation

  • Delusion, amnesia, thought disorder, memory loss, disorientation

  • Feeling detached, general discontent, anger, anxiety, elevated mood, inappropriate emotional response or lack of emotional response

  • Hallucination, paranoia, depression, fear, persecutory delusion, religious delusion or hearing voices

  • Incoherent speech, rapid and frenzied speaking, speech disorder or circumstantial speech

  • Fatigue or impaired motor coordination

Our Approach

Antipsychotic medication is essential in treating schizophrenia. It will help settle the ‘misfirings’ in your brain and resets your brain chemistry. If symptoms are severe or the diagnosis is unclear, you may need a temporary admission to hospital. In addition to medication, it is important to address any substance abuse, manage stressors, re-establish sleep/ wake cycles and therapy to understand the disease and support you going forward.

TESTIMONIAL

Dr Comrie and her practice are delightful, kind, compassionate and loving.

Tamo

I have been a patient of Dr Comrie since 2016 when she correctly diagnosed me (something my previous physiatrists hadn’t been able to do).  I see Dr Comrie on a monthly bases to manage my illness.  She is very caring and open to my input.  I have overcome so much since I started seeing her over two years ago. It’s pleasant visiting the practice.  Dr Comrie’s receptionist, Berri, is very upbeat and efficient and the practice is comfortable and clean. You can often spot squirrels from Dr Comrie’s consulting room 😉

Kirste

Dr Comrie has been treating me as a psychological patient since 2011. From the age of 35, I had been seen by at least 12 different psychiatrists to no avail. Within a half an hour of seeing Laura she diagnosed me. Although there have been additional issues since then. Laura has stood by me through this and then made numerous attempts to involve my family in helping find solutions. Laura has always made me feel, we’ll get through this all be it one day at a time. Her staff have always been kind and helpful, a huge plus when receiving treatment that requires a lot of patience. Not only did or does Laura treat me psychiatrically, Laura goes the full hog to ensure all my medical needs are met and resolved. Even in my new marriage relationship, Laura has been the stalwart guiding us the way. I am grateful to have such a professional, caring, empathetic Psychiatrist to help me learn to live life on life’s terms. Laura you have saved my life and made life livable on many occasions. I am very appreciative of your ever special support and therapy. I don’t have the words to express how grateful and indebted I am.

Denis

I had my first consultation with Dr Laura Comrie in June 2017. I was referred to Dr Comrie by my specialist physician as I was suffering from depression and anxiety. Laura initially set about getting my medication correct for the symptoms I was experiencing. With time she has adjusted my medication to suit my changing circumstances and state of mind. From my first session, I found Laura to be a caring, empathetic, non-judgemental, warm, understanding and trustworthy support. I feel like I am in touch with myself again as Laura has helped me to reconnect with the real me. I now continue with a monthly session with Laura and look forward to the wisdom she continues to bring to my life. I can highly recommend Dr Comrie for anyone who is suffering from anxiety and depression.

Wendy, 53

I cancelled my first appointment with Dr Comrie because I didn’t think my problem was bad enough to need a psychiatrist. A few months later, I made another appointment. I considered cancelling again. Going to that appointment is one of the best decisions I have ever made. My only regret is that I hadn’t made it 10 years earlier.

Janine

Dr Comrie is one amazing, awesome, accommodating, high-spirited doctor. She is so very humane. I love her all around the world and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.

Alyson

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Start your Mind Kind journey by booking an appointment with Dr Laura Comrie.

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