Holistic Treatment of Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is a disabling mental disorder marked by severe disturbances in a person's perceived reality, including delusional thoughts and psychosis. This disorder usually requires the use of psychoactive medications to keep symptoms under control. However, these medications cannot fix everything and are usually paired with another form of treatment. Holistic therapies, such as those below, focus on treating the whole person, rather than just the symptoms of the disorder.

Psychotherapy

• Psychotherapy involves talking or counseling therapies to increase self-awareness to change or reduce destructive behaviors. One type of therapy known as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) works by giving the patient a better understanding of his or her thought patterns and how they influence behavior. Schizophrenia is characterized by delusional thoughts which can lead to erratic behavior. In CBT, the therapist may help the patient identify which thoughts are delusional and therefore set the stage for the patient to make more rational decisions when it comes to behavior.

  Another form of psychotherapy which may be helpful for people with schizophrenia is a self-help group. Self-help groups allow patients with common problems to come together and discuss these issues. This can create a sense of empathy and understanding, and helping the patient to feel that he or she is not alone in the illness.

Education

• Schizophrenia is a unique illness and can have devastating results if not properly treated. Education about the illness can help patients understand their own symptoms and the causes behind them, enabling them to take a more proactive stance in controlling thoughts and behaviors. Education is also extremely important for family members of people with schizophrenia because it helps increase understanding for the patient.

Skills Training

• People with schizophrenia can sometimes benefit from skills training. Skills training can involve the teaching of social skills, living skills, and vocational rehabilitation to promote a more balanced life. Social skills training can help the patient create and maintain healthier relationships with family and friends while living skills training can teach the patient ways of living a more independent life. Vocational rehabilitation is a good option for patients who would benefit from entering the workforce but may need some help getting there. Employment can create the opportunity for financial independence, friendships, and increased self-confidence and perceived capability. A patient may need help writing a resume, learning interview skills, or finding a job, and vocational rehabilitation can help with all of these things.