mental health disorders
Schizophrenia
Treatment of Schizophrenia
Antipsychotic drugs Psychotherapy Coordinated specialty care Generally, treatment of schizophrenia aims To reduce the severity of psychotic symptoms To prevent the recurrence of symptomatic episodes and the associated deterioration in functioning To provide support and thus enable people to function at the highest level possible Early detection and early treatment are important. The earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome. Antipsychotic drugs, rehabilitation and community support activities, and psychotherapy are the major components of treatment. Teaching family members about the symptoms and treatment of schizophrenia (family psychoeducation) helps provide support for them and helps health care practitioners maintain contact with the person who has schizophrenia. Coordinated specialty care, which includes resilience training, personal and family therapy, addressing cognitive dysfunction, and supported employment, is an important aspect of psychosocial recovery. Antipsychotic Drugs can be effective in reducing or eliminating symptoms, such as delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thinking. After the immediate symptoms have cleared, the continued use of antipsychotic drugs substantially reduces the probability of future episodes. However, antipsychotic drugs have significant side effects, which can include drowsiness, muscle stiffness, tremors, involuntary movements (for example, tardive dyskinesia), weight gain, and restlessness. The newer antipsychotic (second-generation) drugs, which are prescribed most often, are less likely to cause muscle stiffness, tremors, and tardive dyskinesia than conventional (first-generation) antipsychotic drugs. Rehabilitation and support programs, such as on-the-job coaching, are directed at teaching people the skills they need to live in the community, rather than in an institution. These skills enable people with schizophrenia to work, shop, care for themselves, manage a household, and get along with others. Community support services provide services that enable people with schizophrenia to live as independently as possible. These services include a supervised apartment or group home where a staff member is present to ensure that a person with schizophrenia takes drugs as prescribed or to help the person with finances. Or a staff member may visit the person's home periodically. Hospitalization may be needed during severe relapses, and involuntary hospitalization may be needed if people pose a danger to themselves or others. However, the general goal is to have people live in the community. A few people with schizophrenia are unable to live independently, either because they have severe, persistent symptoms or because drug therapy has not been effective. They usually require full-time care in a safe and supportive setting. Support and advocacy groups, such as theNational Alliance on Mental Illness, are often helpful to families. Generally, psychotherapy does not lessen the symptoms of schizophrenia. However, psychotherapycanbe helpful by establishing a collaborative relationship between people with schizophrenia, their family members, and the doctor. That way, people may learn to understand and manage their disorder, to take antipsychotic drugs as prescribed, and to manage stresses that can aggravate the disorder. A good doctor-patient relationship is often a major determinant of whether treatment is successful. If people with schizophrenia live with their families, they and their family members may be offered psychoeducation. This training provides people and their family members with information about the disorder and about ways to manage it—for example, by teaching them coping skills. This training can help prevent relapses. 